Feline histoplasmosis: fluconazole therapy and identification of potential sources of Histoplasma species exposure.

Abstract

Feline histoplasmosis is a systemic fungal infection often treated with itraconazole, which can be cost-prohibitive for some clients. Additionally, although the clinical disease in cats has been documented, sources of Histoplasma species spore exposure in cats have yet to be thoroughly investigated. The objectives of this study were to compare the outcomes of cats with histoplasmosis treated with fluconazole to those treated with itraconazole, and to evaluate possible sources of exposure for affected cats. Medical records from feline patients with confirmed histoplasmosis (n = 32) at Kansas State University were systematically reviewed and follow-up was performed by owner telephone interview. Cats treated with fluconazole (n = 17) had similar mortality and recrudescence rates when compared with cats treated with itraconazole (n = 13). Thus, fluconazole may be a viable alternative therapy for the treatment of feline histoplasmosis. Eleven cats were housed strictly indoors and possible sources of exposure reported for these cats included potted plants (5/11) and unfinished basements (6/11).

• Authors: Jennifer M Reinhart, Kate S KuKanich, Tracey Jackson, Kenneth R Harkin
• Journal: Journal of feline medicine and surgery (J Feline Med Surg) Vol. 14 Issue 12 Pg. 841-8 (Dec 2012) ISSN: 1532-2750 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 22736675 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antifungal Agents
• Itraconazole
• Fluconazole

Topics

• Animals
• Antifungal Agents (therapeutic use)
• Cat Diseases (diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Cats
• Disease Reservoirs (veterinary)
• Female
• Fluconazole (therapeutic use)
• Follow-Up Studies
• Histoplasma (isolation & purification)
• Itraconazole (therapeutic use)
• Male
• Risk Factors
• Secondary Prevention
• Species Specificity
• Toxoplasmosis, Animal (diagnosis, drug therapy)