Case 6: Toxoplasmosis in Free Ranging Mink By: Charmane Thurmand Aaron Clark Sarah Glazier Shauna Decker

Case 6 Background 3 month old mink found near the Red Cedar River at MSU Exhibited signs of CNS disease Later determined to be blind in both eyes Most significant lesions in the brain and eyes Macrophages in retina containing protozoal tachyzoites Inflammation throughout the body Several macrophages in the retina containing Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites

Exam Question! Why was the immunohistochemical examination inconclusive and how was the agent finally determined?

Our Hypothesis What we think it is… Why… Toxoplasmosis Causes infection in eye causing blindness (humans) Effects the brain in AIDS patients Fairly common in the US. Cerebrum from a mink containing encysted protozoal bradyzoites within glial cells

What the Literature Says… The infectious protozoan agent… Toxoplasma gondii Why… Immunohistochemical examination with goat antibodies against Neospora caninum and T. gondii Positive reactions for both parasites PCR testing for 115bp target for T. gondii and 337 for N. caninum T. gondii primers produced band while N. caninum did not Advanced retina lesions suggest infection in utero or early neonatal care

Questions?...Make sure you have the exam answer!