Emergence of cutaneous neosporosis in a dog receiving immunosuppressive therapy : Molecular identification and management

Background: Neosporosis is a multisystemic disease caused by the intracellular protozoan Neospora caninum. In dogs the disease primarily affects the central nervous system. Canine cutaneous neosporosis is a rare condition often associated with old age or concurrent immunosuppressive treatments for different underlying conditions. Animals: A 10-year-old female spayed golden retriever dog affected by primary immune-mediated myelofibrosis and treated with immunosuppressive therapies for 6 weeks that developed severe cutaneous lesions. Methods: Definitive diagnosis was based on several investigation techniques including serology (immunoblotting), immunohistochemistry (IHC), species-specific conventional and real-time PCR, and DNA sequencing. Results: Remission of cutaneous neosporosis was obtained with the administration of clindamycin while the concurrent immunosuppressive therapy was maintained to manage the underlying primary condition. Conclusions and clinical importance: To the best of the authors' knowledge this is the first report of species-specific PCR and DNA sequencing used as diagnostic methods for canine cutaneous neosporosis emerging in a dog receiving immunosuppressive therapy.