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Detection of Encephalitozoon cuniculi in the feline cataractous lens.
Vet Ophthalmol. 2011 Sep; 14 Suppl 1:37-47.VO

Abstract

PURPOSE

Identification of Encephalitozoon cuniculi (E. cuniculi) as a possible causative agent for cataracts and uveitis in cats.

METHODS

Within a 12-month study period, cats that were presented with focal anterior cortical or mature cataract and secondary uveitis underwent a complete ophthalmic examination, complete blood count, serum biochemistry, serologic tests for E. cuniculi and tests for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). PCR for DNA detection of E. cuniculi and T. gondii as well as cytologic examination of aqueous humor after paracentesis and phacoemulsified lens material were also performed. In addition histopathologic examination of the resected anterior lens capsule and attached lens epithelial cells was performed. Serologic testing for antibodies against E. cuniculi was also performed in 100 ophthalmologically healthy cats.

RESULTS

Eleven (19 eyes) European shorthair cats with a median age of 3.5 years were included. Nine of 11 cats had bilateral cataracts, with 12/19 eyes having focal anterior cortical cataracts and 7/19 eyes having mature cataracts. In 14/19 eyes anterior uveitis was present. All cats had a positive antibody titer (1:80-1:10,000) for E. cuniculi. Encephalitozoon cuniculi DNA was detected by PCR and sequencing in 18/19 lenses and in 10/19 aqueous samples. Five tentative positive results were detected by cytologic examination. Spores were detected in 15/19 samples of lens material with histopathologic staining. Only 2/100 ophthalmologically healthy cats showed a positive antibody titer for E. cuniculi.

CONCLUSION

Encephalitozoon cuniculi is a cause of focal anterior cortical cataract and anterior uveitis in cats.

Links

Publisher Full Text (DOI)

Authors+Show Affiliations

Benz P
Department for Companion Animals and Horses, Veterinary University, Vienna, Austria. petra.benz@vetmeduni.ac.at
Maass G
No affiliation info available
Csokai J
No affiliation info available
Fuchs-Baumgartinger A
No affiliation info available
Schwendenwein I
No affiliation info available
Tichy A
No affiliation info available
Nell B
No affiliation info available

MeSH

AnimalsCat DiseasesCataractCatsEncephalitozoon cuniculiEncephalitozoonosisFemaleLens, CrystallineMalePolymerase Chain ReactionToxoplasmaToxoplasmosis, AnimalUveitis

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

21923822

Citation

Benz, Petra, et al. "Detection of Encephalitozoon Cuniculi in the Feline Cataractous Lens." Veterinary Ophthalmology, vol. 14 Suppl 1, 2011, pp. 37-47.
Benz P, Maass G, Csokai J, et al. Detection of Encephalitozoon cuniculi in the feline cataractous lens. Vet Ophthalmol. 2011;14 Suppl 1:37-47.
Benz, P., Maass, G., Csokai, J., Fuchs-Baumgartinger, A., Schwendenwein, I., Tichy, A., & Nell, B. (2011). Detection of Encephalitozoon cuniculi in the feline cataractous lens. Veterinary Ophthalmology, 14 Suppl 1, 37-47. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1463-5224.2011.00873.x
Benz P, et al. Detection of Encephalitozoon Cuniculi in the Feline Cataractous Lens. Vet Ophthalmol. 2011;14 Suppl 1:37-47. PubMed PMID: 21923822.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - Detection of Encephalitozoon cuniculi in the feline cataractous lens. AU - Benz,Petra, AU - Maass,Günter, AU - Csokai,Jacqueline, AU - Fuchs-Baumgartinger,Andrea, AU - Schwendenwein,Ilse, AU - Tichy,Alexander, AU - Nell,Barbara, PY - 2011/9/20/entrez PY - 2011/10/26/pubmed PY - 2012/1/14/medline SP - 37 EP - 47 JF - Veterinary ophthalmology JO - Vet Ophthalmol VL - 14 Suppl 1 N2 - PURPOSE: Identification of Encephalitozoon cuniculi (E. cuniculi) as a possible causative agent for cataracts and uveitis in cats. METHODS: Within a 12-month study period, cats that were presented with focal anterior cortical or mature cataract and secondary uveitis underwent a complete ophthalmic examination, complete blood count, serum biochemistry, serologic tests for E. cuniculi and tests for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). PCR for DNA detection of E. cuniculi and T. gondii as well as cytologic examination of aqueous humor after paracentesis and phacoemulsified lens material were also performed. In addition histopathologic examination of the resected anterior lens capsule and attached lens epithelial cells was performed. Serologic testing for antibodies against E. cuniculi was also performed in 100 ophthalmologically healthy cats. RESULTS: Eleven (19 eyes) European shorthair cats with a median age of 3.5 years were included. Nine of 11 cats had bilateral cataracts, with 12/19 eyes having focal anterior cortical cataracts and 7/19 eyes having mature cataracts. In 14/19 eyes anterior uveitis was present. All cats had a positive antibody titer (1:80-1:10,000) for E. cuniculi. Encephalitozoon cuniculi DNA was detected by PCR and sequencing in 18/19 lenses and in 10/19 aqueous samples. Five tentative positive results were detected by cytologic examination. Spores were detected in 15/19 samples of lens material with histopathologic staining. Only 2/100 ophthalmologically healthy cats showed a positive antibody titer for E. cuniculi. CONCLUSION: Encephalitozoon cuniculi is a cause of focal anterior cortical cataract and anterior uveitis in cats. SN - 1463-5224 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/21923822/Detection_of_Encephalitozoon_cuniculi_in_the_feline_cataractous_lens_ L2 - https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1463-5224.2011.00873.x DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -