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Unusual clinical presentation of cryptococcus in an immunocompetent cat

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

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Authors

Sanchini, Lucia 
Reading, Mark 
Williams, TL 
Archer, Frances 

Abstract

This case report describes an atypical presentation of cryptococcal infection in a cat initially presented with multiple persistent pruritic exudative skin lesions, which did not subside following administration of antibiotics and corticosteroids. Both fungal culture and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)/feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) ELISA test yielded negative results. Cytological examination of the skin scrapings was consistent with infection by Cryptococcus, which was confirmed by both postmortem inspection and histopathological examination of the lesions. The observed multifocal skin lesions are the result of haematogenous dissemination of the yeast, which is generally seen in immunocompromised cats. Clinical signs of systemic infection by Cryptococcus include apathy and cachexia and may or may not follow classical nasal disease. Surprisingly, the cat described in this report was immunocompetent, presented in good general condition and with no nasal discharge.

Description

Keywords

3009 Veterinary Sciences, 30 Agricultural, Veterinary and Food Sciences, Infectious Diseases, Sexually Transmitted Infections, HIV/AIDS, 2.1 Biological and endogenous factors, Infection

Journal Title

Veterinary Record Case Reports

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2052-6121
2052-6121

Volume Title

5

Publisher

BMJ Journals