Retrospective study of feline and canine cryptococcosis in Australia from 1981 to 2001: 195 cases

Abstract

A retrospective study of 155 cats and 40 dogs diagnosed with cryptococcosis between 1981 and 2001 was undertaken. Age, sex, breed, clinical findings, feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukaemia virus status (in cats), species of Cryptococcus causing disease and region of domicile were recorded. Associations between variables were tested. Male and female cats were affected equally. Age ranged from 1 to 16 years, with a preponderance of cats aged between 2 and 3 years. Siamese, Himalayan and Ragdoll breeds were over-represented. Rural cats were more frequently infected with Cryptococcus gattii. Retroviral infection was not identified as a predisposing condition and was not correlated with either species of Cryptococcus or physical findings. Most cats had signs of nasal cavity infection, which was typically localised for a substantial period before invasion of adjacent structures or dissemination. Male and female dogs were affected equally. A marked preponderance of young, large breed dogs was noted. Border Collies, Boxers, Dalmatians, Dobermann Pinschers, Great Danes and German Shepherds were over-represented. Cryptococcus species involved was not affected by place of domicile. Although nasal cavity involvement was important, the canine cohort had a greater propensity to develop secondary central nervous system involvement and disseminated disease than feline cases. There were no clinical findings in either cats or dogs which could be reliably used to distinguish disease caused by Cryptococcus neoformans variety grubii from disease caused by Cryptococcus gattii. Both Cryptococcus species appear to be primary pathogens of cats and dogs, with the upper respiratory tract presumed to be the predominant primary site of inoculation in most but not all cases.

Molecular Characterization of a Novel Fastidious Mycobacterium Causing Lepromatous Lesions of the Skin, Subcutis, Cornea, and Conjunctiva of Cats Living in Victoria, Australia

“…Cats are an excellent sentinel species for environmentally acquired infections, as they have a finite geographical range (4,20). It is therefore highly likely that Mycobacterium sp.…”

Cryptococcus gattii Infections

“…In Australia, the majority of infections (and colonization) in native koalas and horses are due to C. gattii (174,175), compared to about 33% in domestic cats and dogs (173). In Western Australia, C. gattii caused 5 of 9 feline and 11 of 22 canine infections (175).…”

“…In two studies involving 82 cases of feline cryptococcosis in California (169) and western Canada (172), only 17 cryptococcal isolates were identified, 14 of which were C. gattii and 3 of which were C. neoformans. Much of our knowledge of species distribution comes from studies from Australia (99,173). As companion dogs and cats are considered sentinel species, disease distribution may be expected to be similar to that in people (see Clinical Epidemiology of Human Infection, below).…”

Fungal pneumonia in dogs and cats with pulmonary clinical signs in southern Brazil

“…Coccidioidomycosis is found mainly in the southwestern United States, north Mexico and in other dry regions, such as northeastern Brazil (Wanke et al 1999, Johnson et al 2003, Togashi et al 2009). Cryptococcus and Aspergillus are spread worldwide, affecting animals and humans (O'Brien et al 2004, Marcasso et al 2005, Richardson 2005, Ferreira 2008, Queiroz et al 2008, Brown et al 2012, Pereira et al 2013.…”