Criptococose felina: relato de caso

Abstract

Cryptococcosis is a systemic fungal disease caused by two species of encapsulated basidiomycete, Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii, that affects humans, domestic and wild mammals. The agent can often be isolated from bird droppings and numerous environmental sources. Infection occurs via the respiratory route, and then spreads via hematogenous to various tissues including the Central Nervous System. This study analyzes a case of cryptococcosis observed in a domestic cat (Felis catus), mixed breed, 5 years old, who was treated at the Veterinary Medical Service ( SEMEVE ), Salvador , Bahia. The animal showed signs of respiratory impairment and neurological. The chest X-ray was noted four nodular formations in lung, aspiration cytology was performed on one of the nodes in order to investigate its aetiology, which revealed the presence of encapsulated microorganisms compatible with Cryptococcus spp. The diagnosis of cryptococcosis was made based on the typical morphometric characteristics of the fungus.