Feline cryptococcosis: a retrospective evaluation

Abstract

Cryptococcus neoformans causes the most common form of feline systemic fungal disease. Nineteen cats with cryptococcosis were seen at the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania between April 1986 and May 1995. Compared to other studies, these 19 cases showed increased neurological and ophthalmological involvement. Males were affected more often than females. Season and environment appeared to influence time of onset or presentation to the hospital. Clinical pathology did not show typical changes. It is possible that the organism was present frequently in the urine but was mistaken for fat droplets. Treatment with ketoconazole was unrewarding in cases with central nervous system (CNS) involvement.