Clinical toxoplasmosis in an immunosuppressed feline patient

Abstract

Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressant medication used in the treatment of several immune diseases including commonly in feline atopy, feline asthma and several feline hypersensitivity reactions and is also given to patients before organ transplants. Toxoplasmagondi is a protozoan parasite found commonly and historically within all populations of cats globally and can also infect all warm blooded animals including birds and humans. The case this thesis explores regards the susceptibility of felines, commonly not clinically affected by its clinical manifestation, called Toxoplasmosis, as a result of administration of cyclosporine. As cyclosporine is used more often clinicians must be aware of the negative side effects and take preemptive actions and bevigilant for these possible complications. This paper also aims to draw a connections between Toxoplasmosis as induced by immunosuppressive therapy to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, an inflammatory shockresponsetopulmonaryinfections.Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome is not well described in the veterinary world although is well described in human medicine. The end stages of Toxoplasmosis in cats appears to follow rules and guidelines used to describe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome which bears significance in its diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.