Key result
Disseminated Toxoplasma gondii causes myocarditis and congestive heart failure in a fennec fox kit.
Why the study?
Toxoplasma-induced myocarditis as a cause of heart failure and retinochoroiditis in the fennec fox has not been previously characterized.
Case Report (n=1)
Toxoplasma-induced myocarditis should be included in the differential diagnosis of heart failure and retinochoroiditis in the fennec fox.
Alerts clinicians to toxoplasmosis in fennec fox heart failure; leaves open prevalence and need for validation in larger cohorts.
A male fennec fox (Fennecus zerda) kit was examined for lethargy, inappetence, and weight loss. Clinical findings included respiratory distress, a gallop rhythm, and retinochoroiditis. Radiography indicated pleural effusion and cardiomegaly. Echocardiographic findings included left ventricular dilatation, low left ventricular ejection fraction, and atrioventricular valvular regurgitation. Necropsy findings were compatible with a diagnosis of congestive heart failure caused by myocarditis. Histopathology showed a disseminated infection with Toxoplasma gondii causing myocarditis, skeletal polymyositis, gastrointestinal myositis, and panuveitis. Toxoplasma-induced myocarditis should be included in the differential diagnosis of heart failure and retinochoroiditis in the fennec fox.
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Kottwitz et al. (2004) conducted a case report in Heart failure caused by Toxoplasmosis (n=1). Toxoplasma gondii infection was evaluated on Diagnosis of congestive heart failure caused by myocarditis. Disseminated Toxoplasma gondii infection caused myocarditis and congestive heart failure in a fennec fox kit, highlighting it as a differential diagnosis for heart failure in this species.
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