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Disseminated Lichtheimia ramosa infection in a Japanese Black calf

Summary

A young calf developed a serious fungal infection caused by Lichtheimia ramosa despite treatment with multiple antibiotics. The calf had an underdeveloped thymus gland, making it vulnerable to infections. The fungus spread throughout the calf’s body, affecting the liver and digestive system. This case highlights how prolonged antibiotic use and weakened immunity can allow dangerous fungi to flourish.

Background

Mucormycosis is an opportunistic fungal infection caused by Mucorales that affects immunocompromised animals. Lichtheimia ramosa is an uncommon causative agent, with limited reported cases in cattle. This case report describes a rare disseminated L. ramosa infection in a Japanese Black calf.

Objective

To document and characterize a case of disseminated Lichtheimia ramosa infection in a Japanese Black calf with multiple organ involvement, including the liver and gastrointestinal tract.

Results

The calf showed thymus hypoplasia and disseminated mucormycosis with lesions in the liver and gastrointestinal tract. Histological examination revealed multifocal granulomatous lesions with fungal hyphae in the liver and submucosal tissues. Lichtheimia ramosa subgroup I was successfully isolated and confirmed through molecular analysis.

Conclusion

This is the first reported case of disseminated L. ramosa infection in a Japanese Black calf. Thymus hypoplasia combined with prolonged broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy and glucocorticoid administration created conditions for opportunistic fungal infection, highlighting the risk of microbial substitution disease in immunodeficient animals.
  • Published in:Medical Mycology Case Reports,
  • Study Type:Case Report,
  • Source: PMID: 41031331, DOI: 10.1016/j.mmcr.2025.100734
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