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

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. 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

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