Osteomyelitis of the coxofemoral joint due to Mycobacterium species in a feline renal transplant recipient

Abstract

A 4-year-old castrated male Russian Blue cat was evaluated for acute right hind limb lameness 18 months after receiving a renal transplant. Radiographs showed a subluxated right femoral head and lysis of the acetabulum and femoral neck. A femoral head and neck ostectomy was performed on the right coxofemoral joint. Histologic evaluation of the right femoral head revealed lesions indicative of a chronic, granulomatous osteomyelitis and periostitis associated with an intralesional Mycobacterium species. However, the cat’s clinical condition declined despite treatment and the owner elected humane euthanasia. All renal transplant recipients receive immunosuppressive therapy to prevent allograft rejection. The non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection of the coxofemoral joint was thought to develop secondary to long-term immunosuppressive treatment. This report illustrates the need to consider these rare opportunistic infections even many months to years following renal transplantation. Early awareness, stringent immunosuppressive drug monitoring and targeted treatment once a diagnosis has been made may be important in the successful management and prevention of mycobacterial infections in this population of patients.