Download PDF
Tierarztl Prax Ausg K Kleintiere Heimtiere 2015; 43(05): 337-344
DOI: 10.15654/TPK-141053
Case Report
Schattauer GmbH

Encephalitozoon cuniculi causes focal anterior cataract and uveitis in dogs

Encephalitozoon cuniculi verursacht fokale anteriore Katarakt und Uveitis beim Hund
B. Nell
1   Department of Companion Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria
,
J. Csokai
2   Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria
,
A. Fuchs-Baumgartinger
2   Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria
,
G. Maaß
3   Tierarztpraxis Breitenfurt, Austria
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 12 December 2014

Accepted after revision: 13 March 2015

Publication Date:
08 January 2018 (online)

    Permissions and Reprints

Summary

Three mongrel dogs, aged 10 months (case 1), 14 months (case 2) and 7.5 years (case 3), were presented because of ophthalmologic disorders of 4 months, 6 months and 7 years duration, respectively. All three dogs were offspring of stray dogs from Hungary and Serbia and had positive serum antibody titres against Encephalitozoon (E.) cuniculi. The two young dogs showed unilateral, the older dog bilateral chronic anterior uveitis with posterior synechia and focal anterior cortical cataract. The fundi that could be evaluated developed focal tapetal hyporeflective lesions in the course of the disease. Dogs 1 and 2 underwent removal of the lens via phacoemulsification. PCR of the lens material was positive for E. cuniculi strains IV and II, respectively. In dog 2 findings suggestive of microsporidia were detected underneath the anterior lens capsule by immunohistochemical staining. In all cases medical treatment consisted of systemic fenbendazole, prednisolone, and topical anti-inflammatory drugs, and additional brinzolamid/timolol for dog 3. For the time being all cases (follow up 23 months, 6 months and 3 months, respectively) are still on topical anti-inflammatory therapy. It is concluded that E. cuniculi infections can cause cataract and chorioretinal lesions in dogs.

Zusammenfassung

Drei Mischlingshunde im Alter von 10 Monaten (Fall 1), 14 Monaten (Fall 2) bzw. 7,5 Jahren (Fall 3) wurden wegen ophthalmologischer Veränderungen vorgestellt, die 4 Monate, 6 Monate bzw. 7 Jahre andauerten. Alle drei waren Nachkommen von Streunerhunden aus Ungarn und Serbien und hatten positive Serum-Antikörpertiter gegen Encephalitozoon (E.) cuniculi. Die beiden jungen Hunde zeigten unilateral, der ältere Hund bilateral eine chronische Uveitis anterior mit posterioren Synechien und fokalen anterioren subkapsulären Katarakten. Die Fundi, die beurteilt werden konnten, entwickelten im Verlauf der Erkrankung fokale hyporeflektive Läsionen im Tapetum lucidum. Bei Fall 1 und 2 wurde die Linse via Phakoemulsifikation entfernt. Die PCR des Linsenmaterials war positiv für E. cuniculi Stamm IV bzw. II. Bei Fall 2 wurden mittels immunohistochemischer Färbung unterhalb der vorderen Linsenkapsel Veränderungen entdeckt, die auf Mikrosporidien schließen lassen. Alle Patienten wurden systemisch mit Fenbendazol und Prednisolon sowie topisch mit antiinflammatorischen Medikamenten behandelt. Patient 3 erhielt zusätzlich eine topische Therapie mit Brinzolamid/Timolol. Zurzeit (Kontrolle nach 23 Monaten, 6 Monaten, 3 Monaten) erfolgt bei allen Hunden eine topische antiinflammatorische Behandlung. Aus den Fällen ist zu folgern, dass E.-cuniculi-Infektionen beim Hund Katarakte und chorioretinale Läsionen verursachen können.

Keywords

Microsporidia - lens - uvea - dog

Schlüsselwörter

Mikrosporidien - Linse - Uvea - Hund
 

  • References

  • 1 Akerstedt J. Serological investigation of canine encephalitozoonosis in Norway. Parasitol Res 2003; 89 (01) 49-52.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Arnesen K, Nordstoga K. Ocular encephalitozoonosis (nosematosis) in blue foxes. Polyarteritis nodosa and cataract. Acta Ophthal 1977; 55 (04) 641-651.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Aston N, Cook C, Clegg F. Encephalitozoonosis (nosematosis) causing bilateral cataract in a rabbit. British J Ophthalmol 1976; 60 (09) 618-631.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Bagó Z, Weissenböck H, Csokai J, Kraft M. Enzephalitozoonose bei einem Hundewelpen. Tierärztl Prax 2011; 39 G A3 (abstract).
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Baneux PJ, Pogan F. In utero transmision of Encephalitozoon cuniculi strain type I in rabbits. Lab Anim 2003; 37 (02) 132-138.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Benz P, Maass G, Csokai J, Fuchs ABaumgartinger, Schwendenwein I, Tichy A, Nell B. Detection of Encephalitozoon cuniculi in the feline cataractous lens. Vet Ophthalmol 2011; 14 (Suppl. 01) 37-47.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Bjerkas I. Brain and spinal cord lesions in encephalitozoonosis in Mink. Acta Vet Scand 1990; 31 (04) 423-432.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Botha WS, van Dellen AF, Stewart CG. Canine encephalitozoonosis in South Africa. J S Afr Vet Assoc 1979; 50 (02) 135-144.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Chalupský J, Vávra J, Bedrník P. Detection of antibodies to Encephalitozoon cuniculi in rabbits by the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test. Folia Parasit 1973; 20 (04) 281-284.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Cray C, Rivas Y. Seroprevalence of Encephalitozoon cuniculi in dogs in the United States. J Parasitol 2013; 99 (01) 153-154.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Csokai J, Joachim A, Gruber A, Tichy A, Pakozdy A, Künzel F. Diagnostic markers for encephalitozoonosis in pet rabbits. Vet Parasitol 2009; 163 1–2 18-26.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Csokai J, Fuchs-Baumgartinger A, Maass G, Joachim A. Detection of Encephalitozoon cuniculi-infection (strain II) by PCR in a cat with anterior uveitis. Wiener Tierärztl Monatsschr 2010; 97 7–8 210-215.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Didier ES, Vossbrinck CR, Baker MD, Rogers LB, Bertucci DC, Shadduck JA. Identification and characterization of three Encephalitozoon cuniculi strains. Parasitol 1995; 111 (04) 411-421.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Fuehrer HP, Blöschl I, Siehs C, Hassl A. Detection of Tocxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and Encephalitozoon cuniculi in the brains of common voles (Microtus arvalis) and water voles (Arvicola terrestris) by gene amplification techniques in western Austria (Vorarlberg). Parasitol Res 2010; 107 (02) 469-473.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Grahn BH, Peiffer RL. Veterinary Ophthalmic Pathology. In: Veterinary Ophthalmology. Gelatt KN. ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons; 2013: 480.
    Google Scholar
  • 16 Hollister WS, Canning EU, Viney M. Prevalence of antibodies to Encephalitozoon cuniculi in stray dogs as determined by an ELISA. Vet Rec 1989; 124 (13) 332-336.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Katzwinkel-Wladarsch S, Lieb M, Heise W, Löscher T, Rinder H. Direct amplification and species determination of microsporidian DNA from stool specimens. Trop Med Int Health 1996; 01 (03) 373-378.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Künzel F, Gruber A, Tichy A, Edelhofer R, Nell B, Hassan J, Leschnik M, Thalhammer JG, Joachim A. Clinical symptoms and diagnosis of encephalitozoonosis in pet rabbits. Vet Parasitol 2008; 151 2–4 115-124.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Malčeková B, Halánová M, Sulínová Z, Molnár L, Ravaszová P, Adam J, Halán M, Valocký I, Baranovič M. Seroprevalence of antibodies to Encephalitozoon cuniculi and Encephalitozoon intestinalis in humans and animals. Res Vet Sci 2010; 89 (03) 358-361.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Mathis A, Akerstedt J, Tharaldsen J, Odegaard O, Deplazes P. Isolates of Encephalitozoon cuniculi from farmed blue foxes (Alopex lagopus) from Norway differ from isolates from Swiss domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Parasitol Res 1996; 82 (08) 727-730.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Mathis A, Weber R, Deplazes P. Zoonotic potential of the microsporidia. Clin Microbiol Rev 2005; 18 (03) 423-445.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 McInnes EF, Stewart CG. The pathology of subclinical infection of Encephalitozoon cuniculi in canine dams producing pups with overt encephalitozoonosis. J S Afr Vet Assoc 1991; 62 (02) 51-54.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Mohn SF, Nordstoga K, Moller OM. Experimental encephalitozoonosis in the blue fox. Transplacental transmission of the parasite. Acta Vet Scand 1982; 23 (02) 211-220.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Mohn SF, Nordstoga K. Experimental encephalitozoonosis in the blue fox. Neonatal exposure to the parasite. Acta Vet Scand 1982; 23 (03) 344-360.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Mohn SF, Nordstoga K, Dishington IW. Experimental encephalitozoonosis in the blue fox. Clinical, serological and pathohistological examinations of vixens after oral and intrauterine Infection. Acta Vet Scand 1982; 23 (04) 490-502.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Mohn SF. Experimental encephalitozoonosis in the blue fox. Clinical and serological examination of affected pups. Acta Vet Scand 1982; 23 (04) 503-514.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Müller C. Untersuchungen zur Diagnostik, Biologie und Verbreitung von Microsporidien bei Kaninchen und anderen Tierarten. Inaugural-Dissertation, Zürich 1998; 71.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Müller-Doblies UU, Herzog K, Tanner I, Mathis A, Deplazes P. First isolation and characterisation of Encephalitozoon cuniculi from a free ranging rat (Rattus norvegicus). Vet Parasitol 2002; 107 (04) 279-285.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Nell B, Benz P, Csokai J, Fuchs-Baumgartinger A, Maass G. Update on the ocular manifestation of Encephalitozoon cuniculi infections in cats and a case report in a dog. Annual Meeting of the European College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, Trieste, Italy, May 24–27, 2012. Vet Ophthalmol 2012; 15 (06) E3 (abstract).
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 30 Sasaki M, Yamazaki A, Haraguchi A, Tatsumi M, Ishida K, Ikadai H. Serological survey of Encephalitozoon cuniculi infection in Japanese dogs. J Parasitol 2011; 97 (01) 167-169.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 31 Shadduck JA, Bendele R, Robinson GT. Isolation of the causative organism of canine encephalitozoonosis. Vet Pathol 1978; 15 (04) 449-460.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 32 Snowden K, Logan K, Didier ES. Encephalitozoon cuniculi strain III is a cause of encephalitozoonosis in both humans and dogs. J Infect Dis 1999; 180 (06) 2086-2088.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 33 Snowden KF, Lewis BC, Hoffman J, Mansell J. Encephalitozoon cuniculi infections in dogs: a case series. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2009; 45 (05) 225-231.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 34 Stewart CG, van Dellen AF, Botha WS. Canine encephalitozoonosis in kennels and the isolation of encephalitozoon in tissue culture. J S Afr Vet Assoc 1979; 50 (03) 165-168.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 35 Steward CG, Collett MG, Snyman H. The immune response in a dog to Encephalitozoon cuniculi infection. Onderstepoort J Vet Res 1986; 53 (01) 35-37.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 36 Szabo JR, Shadduk JA. Experimental encaphalitozoonosis in neonatal dogs. Vet Pathol 1987; 24 (02) 99-108.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 37 Townsend WM. Canine and feline uveitis. Vez Clin Small Anim 2008; 38 (02) 323-346.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 38 Van Heerden J, Bainbridge N, Burroughs RE, Kriek NP. Distemper-like disease and encephalitozoonosis in wild dogs (Lycaon pictus). J Wildl Dis 1989; 25 (01) 70-75.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 39 Wolfer J, Grahn B, Wilcock B, Percy D. Phacoclastic uveitis in the rabbit. Vet Comp Ophthalmol 1993; 03 (03) 92-97.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar