Clinical feline toxoplasmosis. Serologic diagnosis and therapeutic management of 15 cases

J Vet Intern Med. 1989 Jul-Sep;3(3):139-43. doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.1989.tb03089.x.

Abstract

Clinical toxoplasmosis was diagnosed in 15 cats by correlating serologic evidence of infection and clinical signs to either response to therapy or histopathologic demonstration of the organism. Ophthalmic manifestations, primarily involving the anterior segment, were common. Other common physical examination abnormalities included muscle hyperesthesia, fever, and weight loss. Response to therapy was variable, but administration of clindamycin hydrochloride resulted in resolution of all clinical signs not involving the eyes in surviving animals. This drug, alone or in combination with corticosteroids, led to total resolution of clinical signs in four of four cats with active retinochoroiditis and in six of nine cats with anterior uveitis. Four of the 15 cats had concurrent infection with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Feline leukemia virus antigen or antibodies to feline infectious peritonitis virus were not detected.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cat Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Cat Diseases / drug therapy
  • Cats
  • Chorioretinitis / diagnosis
  • Chorioretinitis / drug therapy
  • Chorioretinitis / veterinary
  • Clindamycin / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Immunoglobulin G / analysis
  • Immunoglobulin M / analysis
  • Male
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use*
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use*
  • Serologic Tests / veterinary
  • Toxoplasma / immunology
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / diagnosis*
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / drug therapy
  • Uveitis / diagnosis
  • Uveitis / drug therapy
  • Uveitis / veterinary
  • Weight Loss

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Clindamycin
  • Prednisolone
  • Prednisone