Acute toxoplasmosis following renal transplantation in three cats and a dog

摘要

Three cats and 1 dog that had undergone renal transplantation because of end-stage renal disease were examined because of complications 3 to 6 weeks after surgery. One cat died before treatment; Toxoplasma cysts were found in sections of the renal allograft, and Toxoplasma tachyzoites were found in other organs. The other 2 cats and the dog died despite treatment, and protozoal cysts, as well as tachyzoites, were identified in other organs but not within the allografts, suggesting that reactivationof latent infection following immunosuppression was the most likely cause of disseminated toxoplasmosis. These cases illustrate that toxoplasmosis can be a fatal complication in renal transplant recipients. It is recommended that feline and canine donors and recipients undergo serological testing for toxoplasmosis before surgery. Seropositive donors should not be used for seronegative recipients and seropositive recipients should be monitored closely after surgery for clinical signs of toxoplasmosis.