Aspergillus species cystitis in a cat

Abstract

A Persian male cat with a history of lower urinary tract disease was presented because of polydipsia, polyuria, constipation and nasal discharge. Ten weeks before admission, the cat had been treated for lower urinary tract disease by catheterisation and flushing of the bladder. The animal was thin, dehydrated, anaemic and azotaemic. Urine culture revealed Aspergillus species cystitis. Antibodies against Aspergillus nidulans were identified in serum. Fluconazole was administered orally (7.5 mg/kg, q 12 h) for 10 consecutive weeks. The azotaemia was resolved, the kidney concentrating ability was recovered and the cat has remained healthy without similar problems.

Fig. 1

Photomicrograph of Giemsa-stained urine sediment of a cat depicting a large number of yeast forms and hyphae. Dichotomous, branching, septate organisms characteristic of Aspergillus species are seen (bar=7 μm).