Cover Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
ISSN:
0003-1488
Publication Date:
15 Feb 2022
  • 1.

    Legendre AM. Blastomycosis. In: Greene CE, ed. Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat. 4th ed. Elsevier/Saunders; 2012:606–613.

  • 2.

    Schwartz IS. Blastomycosis in mammals. In: Seyedemousavi S, de Hoog G, Guillot J, Verweij P, eds. Emerging and Epizootic Fungal Infections in Animals. Springer; 2018:159–176.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 3.

    Schwartz IS, Kauffman CA. Blastomycosis. Semin Respir Crit Care Med. 2020;41(1):31–41. doi: 10.1055/s-0039-3400281

  • 4.

    Brown EM, McTaggart LR, Zhang SX, Low DE, Stevens DA, Richardson SE. Phylogenetic analysis reveals a cryptic species Blastomyces gilchristii, sp. nov. within the human pathogenic fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis. PLoS One. 2013;8(3):e59237. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0059237

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 5.

    Legendre AM, Walker M, Buyukmihci N, Stevens R. Canine blastomycosis: a review of 47 clinical cases. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1981;178(11):1163–1168.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 6.

    Arceneaux KA, Taboada J, Hosgood G. Blastomycosis in dogs: 115 cases (1980–1995). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1998;213(5):658–664.

  • 7.

    Miller PE, Miller LM, Schoster JV. Feline blastomycosis: a report of three cases and literature review (1961–1988). J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 1990;26(4):417–424.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 8.

    Gilor C, Graves TK, Barger AM, O’Dell-Anderson K. Clinical aspects of natural infection with Blastomyces dermatitidis in cats: 8 cases (1991–2005). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2006;229(1):96–99. doi: 10.2460/javma.229.1.96

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 9.

    Bradsher RW. Blastomycosis. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett’s Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 8th ed. Elsevier; 2014:2963–2973.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 10.

    Davies C, Troy GC. Deep mycotic infections in cats. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 1996;32(5):380–391. doi: 10.5326/15473317-32-5-380

  • 11.

    Breider MA, Walker TL, Legendre AM, van Ee RT. Blastomycosis in cats: five cases (1979–1986). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1988;193(5):570–572.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 12.

    Baumgardner DJ, Paretsky DP. Blastomycosis: more evidence for exposure near one’s domicile. WMJ. 2001;100(7):43–45.

  • 13.

    Houseright RA, Webb JL, Claus KN. Pathology in Practice. Blastomycosis in an indoor-only cat. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2015;247(4):357–359. doi: 10.2460/javma.247.4.357

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 14.

    Blondin N, Baumgardner DJ, Moore GE, Glickman LT. Blastomycosis in indoor cats: suburban Chicago, Illinois, USA. Mycopathologia. 2007;163(2):59–66. doi: 10.1007/s11046-006–0090-1

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 15.

    Bloom JD, Hamor RE, Gerding PA Jr. Ocular blastomycosis in dogs: 73 cases, 108 eyes (1985–1993). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1996;209(7):1271–1274.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 16.

    Buyukmihci N. Ocular lesions of blastomycosis in the dog. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1982;180(4):426–431.

  • 17.

    Alden CL, Mohan R. Ocular blastomycosis in a cat. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1974;164(5):527–528.

  • 18.

    Nasisse MP, van Ee RT, Wright B. Ocular changes in a cat with disseminated blastomycosis. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1985;187(6):629–631.

  • 19.

    Smith JR, Legendre AM, Thomas WB, et al. Cerebral Blastomyces dermatitidis infection in a cat. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2007;231(8):1210–1214. doi: 10.2460/javma.231.8.1210

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 20.

    Stern JA, Chew DJ, Schissler JR, Green EM. Cutaneous and systemic blastomycosis, hypercalcemia, and excess synthesis of calcitriol in a domestic shorthair cat. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2011;47(6):e116–e120. doi: 10.5326/JAAHA-MS-5566

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 21.

    Connolly P, Hage CA, Bariola JR, et al. Blastomyces dermatitidis antigen detection by quantitative enzyme immunoassay. Clin Vaccine Immunol. 2012;19(1):53–56. doi: 10.1128/CVI.05248-11

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 22.

    Hendrix DV, Rohrbach BW, Bochsler PN, English RV. Comparison of histologic lesions of endophthalmitis induced by Blastomyces dermatitidis in untreated and treated dogs: 36 cases (1986–2001). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2004;224(8):1317–1322. doi: 10.2460/javma.2004.224.1317

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 23.

    Brooks DE, Legendre AM, Gum GG, Laratta LJ, Abrams KL. The treatment of canine ocular blastomycosis with systemically administered itraconazole. Prog Vet Comp Ophthalmol. 1991;1:263–268.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 24.

    Finn MJ, Stiles J, Krohne SG. Visual outcome in a group of dogs with ocular blastomycosis treated with systemic antifungals and systemic corticosteroids. Vet Ophthalmol. 2007;10(5):299–303. doi: 10.1111/j.1463-5224.2007.00554.x

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 25.

    Durkin M, Witt J, Lemonte A, Wheat B, Connolly P. Antigen assay with the potential to aid in diagnosis of blastomycosis. J Clin Microbiol. 2004;42(10):4873–4875. doi: 10.1128/JCM.42.10.4873-4875.2004

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 26.

    Foy DS, Trepanier LA, Kirsch EJ, Wheat LJ. Serum and urine Blastomyces antigen concentrations as markers of clinical remission in dogs treated for systemic blastomycosis. J Vet Intern Med. 2014;28(2):305–310. doi: 10.1111/jvim.12306

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 27.

    Mourning AC, Patterson EE, Kirsch EJ, et al. Evaluation of an enzyme immunoassay for antibodies to a recombinant Blastomyces adhesin-1 repeat antigen as an aid in the diagnosis of blastomycosis in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2015;247(10):1133–1138. doi: 10.2460/javma.247.10.1133

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 28.

    Spector D, Legendre AM, Wheat J, et al. Antigen and antibody testing for the diagnosis of blastomycosis in dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2008;22(4):839–843. doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2008.0107.x

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 29.

    Klein BS, Squires RA, Lloyd JK, Ruge DR, Legendre AM. Canine antibody response to Blastomyces dermatitidis WI-1 antigen. Am J Vet Res. 2000;61(5):554–558. doi: 10.2460/ajvr.2000.61.554

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 30.

    Sykes JE, Merkel LK. Blastomycosis. In: Sykes JE, ed. Canine and Feline Infectious Disease. Elsevier; 2013:574–586.

  • 31.

    Bentley RT, Reese MJ, Heng HG, Lin TL, Shimonohara N, Fauber A. Ependymal and periventricular magnetic resonance imaging changes in four dogs with central nervous system blastomycosis. Vet Radiol Ultrasound. 2013;54(5):489–496. doi: 10.1111/vru.12049

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

Advertisement

Ocular findings in cats with blastomycosis: 19 cases (1978–2019)

Jacob M. Morris DVM1, Alex B. Sigmund DVM1, Daniel A. Ward DVM, PhD1, and Diane V. H. Hendrix DVM1
View More View Less
  • 1 Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.21.03.0135
Volume/Issue:
Volume 260: Issue 4
Online Publication Date:
21 Dec 2021
Restricted access
Reprints and Permissions Purchase Article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

To document ocular findings in cats with blastomycosis.

ANIMALS

35 cats with blastomycosis.

PROCEDURES

Medical records from 1978 through 2019 were reviewed to identify cats with confirmed Blastomyces infection. Cats were grouped as having or not having ocular involvement. Clinical signs, histopathologic findings, and response to treatment were evaluated.

RESULTS

21 of the 35 (60%) cats with confirmed blastomycosis had ocular abnormalities. Two of 21 cats with ocular abnormalities also had systemic hypertension and were excluded. Of the remaining 19 cats, 15 (79%) had bilateral ocular signs. Ten (53%) cats had inflammatory ocular lesions, and 9 (47%) had neuro-ophthalmic abnormalities. Six of the 19 (32%) cats appeared to be completely blind, and 5 (26%) appeared to be unilaterally blind. For the 10 cats with inflammatory ocular lesions, the most common lesions were anterior uveitis (9/20 eyes), active chorioretinitis (6/20 eyes), and retinal detachment (4/20 eyes). For the 9 cats with neuro-ophthalmic abnormalities, the most common abnormalities were a negative menace or tracking response (10/18 eyes) and negative pupillary light response (4/18 eyes).

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Results suggested that ocular involvement is common in cats with blastomycosis and that both inflammatory lesions and neuro-ophthalmic abnormalities can be seen. Blastomycosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis for cats with anterior uveitis, posterior segment inflammation, or neuro-ophthalmic abnormalities, and a complete ophthalmic examination should be performed in all cats with confirmed or suspected blastomycosis.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

To document ocular findings in cats with blastomycosis.

ANIMALS

35 cats with blastomycosis.

PROCEDURES

Medical records from 1978 through 2019 were reviewed to identify cats with confirmed Blastomyces infection. Cats were grouped as having or not having ocular involvement. Clinical signs, histopathologic findings, and response to treatment were evaluated.

RESULTS

21 of the 35 (60%) cats with confirmed blastomycosis had ocular abnormalities. Two of 21 cats with ocular abnormalities also had systemic hypertension and were excluded. Of the remaining 19 cats, 15 (79%) had bilateral ocular signs. Ten (53%) cats had inflammatory ocular lesions, and 9 (47%) had neuro-ophthalmic abnormalities. Six of the 19 (32%) cats appeared to be completely blind, and 5 (26%) appeared to be unilaterally blind. For the 10 cats with inflammatory ocular lesions, the most common lesions were anterior uveitis (9/20 eyes), active chorioretinitis (6/20 eyes), and retinal detachment (4/20 eyes). For the 9 cats with neuro-ophthalmic abnormalities, the most common abnormalities were a negative menace or tracking response (10/18 eyes) and negative pupillary light response (4/18 eyes).

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Results suggested that ocular involvement is common in cats with blastomycosis and that both inflammatory lesions and neuro-ophthalmic abnormalities can be seen. Blastomycosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis for cats with anterior uveitis, posterior segment inflammation, or neuro-ophthalmic abnormalities, and a complete ophthalmic examination should be performed in all cats with confirmed or suspected blastomycosis.

Contributor Notes

Corresponding author: Dr. Hendrix (dhendrix@utk.edu)