CRYPTOCOCCOSIS IN DOGS - A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF 20 CONSECUTIVE CASES

The clinical and mycological findings in 20 consecutive cases of crypt ococcosis evaluated between 1981 and 1995 were analysed retrospectivel y. Typically, young adult dogs (median age 2 years) of either sex were affected. Dobermann Pinschers and Great Danes were significantly over -represented in relation to other breeds and crossbred dogs, and there was no trend for cryptococcosis to be acquired at a particular time o f year. Cryptococcus neoformans was cultured from 18 dogs, with 16 iso lates further characterized. Of these, C. neoformans var. neoformans w as isolated from 12 cases, while the remaining four strains were C. ne oformans var. gattii. Dogs with C. neoformans var. gattii infections r esided in rural (two cases) or suburban (two cases) environments. Ten dogs were presented as a result of infection of structures inside, adj acent to, or contiguous with the nasal cavity. Seven dogs were present ed primarily for signs of central nervous system disease, of which at least three also had cryptococcal rhinosinusitis. One dog had cryptoco ccal pneumonia and also possible mycotic rhinitis, another had dissemi nated disease with lymph node and skin involvement, while the last dog was presented for vomiting referable to cryptococcal mesenteric lymph adenitis. Treatment consisting of surgery and/or antifungal drug thera py was successful in the majority of animals in which it was attempted , including two of three cases with meningo-encephalitis.