Cerebral phaeohyphomycosis caused by Cladosporium spp. in two domestic shorthair cats

Mariani CL, Platt SR, Scase TJ, Howerth EW, Chrisman CL, Clemmons RM.

Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Health Science Center, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610-0126, USA.

Two domestic shorthair cats presented for clinical signs related to multifocal central nervous system dysfunction. Both cats had signs of vestibular system involvement and anisocoria, and one had generalized seizure activity. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed a neutrophilic pleocytosis with protein elevation in one cat and pyogranulomatous inflammation in the second. Electroencephalography and brain-stem auditory-evoked potentials in the first cat confirmed cerebral cortical and brain-stem involvement. Euthanasia was performed in both cats, and postmortem diagnoses of phaeohyphomycosis secondary to Cladosporium spp. were made based on histopathology and fungal culture in both cats.