Acute Toxoplasma gondii Infection Confirmed in a Canine
Cheryl Maguire, DVM
An adult, mixed-breed dog was presented to their veterinarian for progressive lethargy, fever, and abdominal distension. The dog had recently started treatment with prednisone and immunosuppressant medication for immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. Cytology of abdominal fluid revealed protozoal organisms.
Abdominal fluid was submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in College Station for Toxoplasma gondii testing (rtPCR) which was positive with a Ct value of 15.70. Additional testing included Toxoplasma gondii IgG & IgM Panel IFA and Neospora caninum IFA on serum. IgG antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii were detected at a dilution of >=1:2048. IgM antibodies were not detected; nor were Neospora caninum antibodies detected.
Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites may be detected in various tissues and body fluids during acute illness. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used in this case to confirm that the organism observed was T. gondii.
For more information on this case, contact Dr. Cheryl Maguire, veterinary diagnostician at the TVMDL-College Station location. To learn more about TVMDL’s canine testing options, visit tvmdl.tamu.edu or call the College Station laboratory at 1.888.646.5623.
