Bilateral lenticular Encephalitozoon cuniculi infection in a snow leopard (Panthera uncia)

Vet Ophthalmol. 2015 Jan:18 Suppl 1:143-7. doi: 10.1111/vop.12218. Epub 2014 Oct 14.

Abstract

Bilateral phacoclastic uveitis caused by lenticular infection with Encephalitozoon cuniculi is described in a snow leopard. The diagnosis was made on histopathological and immunohistological examination of both eyes submitted after postmortem examination. There was a positive antibody titer for E. cuniculi (1:320). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequence analysis of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded ocular tissue detected the DNA of E. cuniculi, strain III. No other systemic lesions attributable to the E. cuniculi infection were identified.

Keywords: Encephalitozoon; eyes; lens; phacoclastic; snow leopard.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Encephalitozoon cuniculi / isolation & purification*
  • Encephalitozoonosis / veterinary*
  • Eye Infections, Fungal / diagnosis
  • Eye Infections, Fungal / pathology
  • Eye Infections, Fungal / veterinary*
  • Male
  • Panthera*