Gastrointestinal granuloma due to Candida albicans in an immunocompetent cat

Duchaussoy, Anne-Claire; Rose, Annie; Talbot, Jessica J.; Barrs, Vanessa R.

This is the first report of gastro-intestinal candidiasis in a companion animal that is not associated with septic peritonitis secondary to a perforating duodenal ulcer or intestinal dehiscence after surgery [1] . The presence of a single pyogranulomatous intestinal lesion is unusual [7] . No underlying reason could be identified to explain an abnormal or disrupted gastrointestinal intestinal mucosal barrier leading to opportunistic candidiasis. Previously described underlying causes leading to the classical pathway of Candida invasion were not present [8] ; there was no history of antibiotic, anti-acid, glucocorticoid or anti-inflammatory treatment [7] . Furthermore, in humans, the stomach and the duodenum have a physiologically more acidic environment and the lowest number of C. albicans compared to other regions of the gastrointestinal tract. This is likely to be similar in cats and dogs, but has not been confirmed. Hence the stomach and duodenum are unusual sites for candidiasis due to an abnormal or disrupted gastrointestinal microbiome [9] . An abrasive foreign body causing focal mucosal disruption was considered the most likely explanation in this case, even though no foreign material was detected on histopathological examination of multiple sections of the intestinal mass. However, a foreign-body could have caused traumatic intestinal injury during passage without being retained.