Case Study

Splenic yeast or mold systemic infection in a 6 year old F Labrador Retriever

A 6-year-old female Labrador was presented for evaluation of loose stools and weight loss. Abnormalities on serum biochemistry were elevated liver enzyme activity and hypoalbuminemia. On survey thoracic radiographs, a mild interstitial pulmonary pattern was evident.

Sonographic Differential Diagnosis

1. Liver – the findings are severe – DDx: hepatitis, steroid hepatopathy, infiltrative neoplasia, fungal infection.
2. Splenomegaly – the findings are severe – DDx: inflammation, hyperplasia, congestion, EMH

Image Interpretation

Liver-Moderately severe generalized enlargement with rounded shape and severely heterogeneous mixed echogenicity throughout. No focal lesions are appreciated. The gall bladder is clean and of normal size and shape. Spleen- Moderately severe generalized enlargement with scalloped shape and severely heterogeneous mixed parenchymal echogenicity throughout. No focal lesions. Increased vascularity on color Doppler.

DX

Yeast or mold systemic infection

Comments

Case courtesy of Marty Henderson, DVM – SonoVet, Inc.

Clinical Differential Diagnosis

Liver – chronic activity hepatopathy, toxins, cirrhosis, neoplasia, granulomas, abscessation, fungal

Sampling

FNA were performed.
1) Spleen – Granulomatous to pyogranulomatous inflammation, apparently due to a yeast- or mold-type systemic infection; the exact diagnosis cannot be determined from the cytology and would require fungal PCR testing.
2) Liver – Non-diagnostic, with blood and only one small cluster of three normal-appearing hepatocytes on one of the slides submitted.