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Read-Only Case Details Reviewed: Apr 2008

JPC SYSTEMIC PATHOLOGY

NERVOUS SYSTEM

February 2026

N-P02

Signalment (JPC #1769598): 3-month-old great Dane

HISTORY: This dog exhibited nervous signs prior to death.

HISTOPATHOLOGIC DESCRIPTION: Cerebellum: Multifocally and randomly affecting the molecular layer, granular cell layer, and white matter tracts are foci of liquefactive necrosis characterized by disorganization and loss of normal architecture with replacement by many gitter cells, fewer lymphocytes, plasma cells, gemistocytic astrocytes, and rare neutrophils. Necrotic foci contain occasional eosinophilic, 20 µm x 15 µm, oval protozoal cysts that have a thin cyst wall encircling numerous 1-2 µm, elongate bradyzoites. Blood vessels within the necrotic foci are prominent and often lined by hypertrophic (reactive) endothelium; less affected blood vessels are surrounded by moderate numbers of lymphocytes, plasma cells, and fewer macrophages (perivascular cuffing). Randomly dispersed throughout less affected regions are glial nodules up to 250 µm in diameter, mild spongiosis, and rare swollen axons (spheroids) surrounded by variably dilated myelin sheaths. The meninges are moderately expanded by few lymphocytes, plasma cells, and macrophages.

MORPHOLOGIC DIAGNOSIS: Cerebellum: Encephalitis, necrotizing, subacute, multifocal, moderate, with few protozoal cysts, gliosis, and lymphoplasmacytic meningitis, great Dane, canine

CAUSE: Toxoplasma gondii

ETIOLOGIC DIAGNOSIS: Cerebellar toxoplasmosis

CONDITION: Toxoplasmosis

GENERAL DISCUSSION:

LIFE CYCLE:

PATHOGENESIS:

TYPICAL CLINICAL FINDINGS:

TYPICAL GROSS FINDINGS:

TYPICAL LIGHT MICROSCOPIC FINDINGS:

ULTRASTRUCTURAL FINDINGS:

ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSTIC TESTS:

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS:

COMPARATIVE PATHOLOGY:

References:

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