A case of Exophiala dermatitidis-induced phaeohyphomycosis in a cat with multiple intra-abdominal masses

Abstract

Pus discharge containing black granular materials (1–2 mm in diameter) was found in the abdominal skin of a 13-year-old sterilized female cat. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed a large intra-abdominal mass with abundant blood flow beneath the skin lesion. Laparotomy revealed a large mass that adhered to the spleen and left kidney. Similar small lesions were found in the abdominal wall and mesentery. The masses were surgically removed along with the spleen and kidney. Histopathologically, the mass lesions consisted of granulomas with lesional pigmented fungi, and the cat was diagnosed with phaeohyphomycosis. Uisng genetic analysis, the Exophiala dermatitidis was identified as the causative pathogen.