Brain abscess in a dog immuno suppressed using cyclosporin

This report describes a dog that developed brain abscesses following prolonged immunosuppression with cyclosporin. Bacteria within the abscess were most likely Nocardia, an organism well recognised in immunosuppressed humans, and probably reached the brain through haematogenous spread from a more long-standing abscess in the mediastinum. Bacterial brain abscesses developing in this manner are very rare in dogs and this case highlights the wider range of possible diagnoses that need to be considered in immunosuppressed patients and the care with which potent drugs such as cyclosporin should be used. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.