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what is one of the most prevalent parasites infecting warm-blooded vertebrates, and cats are the only species that can complete its life cycle?
Toxoplasma gondii
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How do cats acquire T.gondii?
ingestion (any life stage) and transplacentally
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what are two main presentations for cats with toxoplasmosis?
- small bowel diarrhea (self limiting)
- fatal extraintestinal
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What are 3 main systems effected by toxoplasmosis?
Liver, Lung, CNS (and eyes)
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What is chemistry finding that would lead clinician to suspect toxoplasmosis?
elevated CK due to cysts in muscle tissue
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How can you definitively diagnose toxoplasmosis?
see organism on biopsy (difficult to find)
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Are identification of toxoplasmosis cysts in a fecal sample a definitive diagnosis?
no, only suggestive
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Serology/antibody titers do not definitively diagnose toxoplasmosis, but which Ab correlates best w/clinical infection? Why is serology of limited value?
- IgM
- antibodies present even in healthy cats and stay positive for life (even w/tx)
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What is tx of choice for toxoplasmosis? Response should be quick unless which systems are affected?
clindamycin; slower for CNS/eye
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Which forms of toxo have poorest prognosis?
hepatic/pulmonary
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Why is zoonosis rarely associated with feline contact?
cats only shed for days/weeks after inoculation but then rarely repeat shedding in feces; cats groom themselves so not often on fur
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dogs with clinical T. gondii present similar to cats; however they rarely are clinical unless what? do they shed oocytes in feces like cats?
- immuno-compromised
- no fecal shedding in dogs
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do dogs pass oocysts of neospora in feces?
yes
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How do dogs acquire neospora?
- ingest bradyzoite
- transplacental
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What is primary signs seen in dogs with neospora infection? Is it fatal?
- neurological signs
- hind limb extension, ascending paralysis
- untreated is fatal
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List 3 clinical features of neospora.
- muscle atrophy
- polymyositis
- multifocal CNS disease
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What is the concern w/giving glucorticoids in patients who may have neospora?
steroids can activate bradyzoites in tissue cysts
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What is definitive diagnosis for neospora?
see organism in CSF or tissue
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What is treatment of choice? what is prognosis with tx?
- clindamycin (same as toxo)
- many still die with tx, better if before CNS signs
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Is toxoplasmosis and/or neospora associated w/human abortions?
only toxoplasmosis
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What connection do dogs and cows have with neospora?
- dogs give to cattle if poop in their feed
- cow to dog if dog eats infected bovine placenta
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What infectious organism mimics IMHA? dogs and/or cats?
- babesia
- dogs only in the US
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what is the vector for babesia?
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What breeds are more prone to babesia infection?
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what are important clinical features of babesia? Acute or chronic presentation?
- Acute
- intravascular hemolytic/regen. anemia
- 2ndary IMHA
- thrombocytopenia, elevated bilirubin
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what are available diagnostics for babesia?
- PCR to NC state
- Antibody serology/IFA --> show increasing titers
- definitive w/demonstration on blood smear
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how is babesia treated?
- supportive (give blood?)
- multiple drugs used (azithromycin, atovaquone)
- prevent w/tick control
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what makes a dog more prone to babesia?
immunocompromised, splenectomized
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