Encephalitozoon cuniculi causes focal anterior cataract and uveitis in dogs.

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.

[1]  C. Cray,et al.  Seroprevalence of Encephalitozoon cuniculi in Dogs in the United States , 2013, The Journal of parasitology.

[2]  A. Tichy,et al.  Detection of Encephalitozoon cuniculi in the feline cataractous lens. , 2011, Veterinary ophthalmology.

[3]  H. Ikadai,et al.  Serological Survey of Encephalitozoon cuniculi Infection in Japanese Dogs , 2011, The Journal of parasitology.

[4]  L. Molnár,et al.  Seroprevalence of antibodies to Encephalitozoon cuniculi and Encephalitozoon intestinalis in humans and animals. , 2010, Research in veterinary science.

[5]  H. Fuehrer,et al.  Detection of Toxoplasma 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) , 2010, Parasitology Research.

[6]  K. Snowden,et al.  Encephalitozoon cuniculi infections in dogs: a case series. , 2009, Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association.

[7]  A. Tichy,et al.  Diagnostic markers for encephalitozoonosis in pet rabbits. , 2009, Veterinary parasitology.

[8]  W. Townsend.  Canine and Feline Uveitis , 2008, Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice.

[9]  A. Tichy,et al.  Clinical symptoms and diagnosis of encephalitozoonosis in pet rabbits. , 2008, Veterinary parasitology.

[10]  A. Mathis,et al.  Zoonotic Potential of the Microsporidia , 2005, Clinical Microbiology Reviews.

[11]  F. Pognan,et al.  In utero transmission of Encephalitozoon cuniculi strain type I in rabbits , 2003, Laboratory animals.

[12]  J. Åkerstedt.  Serological investigation of canine encephalitozoonosis in Norway , 2002, Parasitology Research.

[13]  A. Mathis,et al.  First isolation and characterisation of Encephalitozoon cuniculi from a free-ranging rat (Rattus norvegicus). , 2002, Veterinary parasitology.

[14]  K. Snowden,et al.  Encephalitozoon cuniculi strain III is a cause of encephalitozoonosis in both humans and dogs. , 1999, The Journal of infectious diseases.

[15]  H. Rinder,et al.  Direct amplification and species determination of microsporidian DNA from stool specimens , 1996, Tropical medicine & international health : TM & IH.

[16]  A. Mathis,et al.  Isolates of Encephalitozoon cuniculi from farmed blue foxes (Alopex lagopus) from Norway differ from isolates from Swiss domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) , 1996, Parasitology Research.

[17]  C. Vossbrinck,et al.  Identification and characterization of three Encephalitozoon cuniculi strains , 1995, Parasitology.

[18]  C. G. Stewart,et al.  The pathology of subclinical infection of Encephalitozoon cuniculi in canine dams producing pups with overt encephalitozoonosis. , 1991, Journal of the South African Veterinary Association.

[19]  I. Bjerkås.  Brain and Spinal Cord Lesions in Encephalitozoonosis in Mink , 1990, Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica.

[20]  E. Canning,et al.  Prevalence of antibodies to Encephalitozoon cuniculi in stray dogs as determined by an ELISA , 1989, Veterinary Record.

[21]  R. Burroughs,et al.  DISTEMPER-LIKE DISEASE AND ENCEPHALITOZOONOSIS IN WILD DOGS (LYCAON PICTUS) , 1989, Journal of wildlife diseases.

[22]  J. Shadduck,et al.  Experimental Encephalitozoonosis in Neonatal Dogs , 1987, Veterinary pathology.

[23]  C. G. Stewart,et al.  The immune response in a dog to Encephalitozoon cuniculi infection. , 1986, The Onderstepoort journal of veterinary research.

[24]  K. Nordstoga,et al.  Experimental Encephalitozoonosis in the Blue Fox , 1982, Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica.

[25]  Mohn Sf.  Experimental encephalitozoonosis in the blue fox. Clinical and serological examinations of affected pups. , 1982 .

[26]  K. Nordstoga,et al.  Experimental encephalitozoonosis in the blue fox. Clinical, serological and pathological examinations of vixens after oral and intrauterine inoculation. , 1982, Acta veterinaria Scandinavica.

[27]  K. Nordstoga,et al.  Experimental encephalitozoonosis in the blue fox. Neonatal exposure to the parasite. , 1982, Acta veterinaria Scandinavica.

[28]  Botha Ws,et al.  Canine encephalitozoonosis in kennels and the isolation of Encephalitozoon in tissue culture. , 1979 .

[29]  Botha Ws,et al.  Canine encephalitozoonosis in South Africa. , 1979 .

[30]  J. Shadduck,et al.  Isolation of the Causative Organism of Canine Encephalitozoonosis , 1978, Veterinary pathology.

[31]  K. Arnesen,et al.  OCULAR ENCEPHALITOZOONOSIS (NOSEMATOSIS) IN BLUE FOXES , 1977, Acta ophthalmologica.

[32]  N. Ashton,et al.  Encephalitozoonosis (nosematosis) causing bilateral cataract in a rabbit. , 1976, The British journal of ophthalmology.

[33]  J. Chalupský,et al.  Detection of antibodies to Encephalitozoon cuniculi in rabbits by the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test. , 1973, Folia parasitologica.