Cryptococcosis in a cat

Authors: Wanner RA, Baird JD
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 22, Issue 5, pp 78-81, May 1974
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Cat, Companion animal
Subject Terms: Bacterial, Nervous system/neurology, Fungal/yeast, Disease/defect, Infectious disease
Article class: Clinical Communication

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Abstract: Cryptococcosis is a systemic fungal infection caused by the non-mycelial budding yeast Cryptococcus neoformans. The disease is well known in man and has been reported in a variety of animals (Barron, 1955). In Australia it has been described in cats (Johnston and Lavers, 1963; Clark and Roubin, 1970), horses (Watt, 1970; Barton and Knight, 1972), sheep (Laws and Simmons, 1966), cattle (Connole and Johnston, 1967) and koalas (Bolliger and Finch, 1962). The organism has a marked predilection for the central nervous system and meningitis generally follows haematogenous spread from a primary focus in the lungs (Lewis and Rabinovich, 1972). This report describes a case of cryptococcosis in a cat presented at the Rural Veterinary Centre at Camden. The diagnosis followed recovery of C. neoformans from the cerebrospinal fluid and nasal secretions. At autopsy it was evident that meningitis had followed direct invasion of the cranial cavity from the frontal sinus.

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