Abstract
Introduction: Cryptococcosis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans or C. gattii is an important mycotic disease in immunosuppressed hosts and affects many mammalian species worldwide. However, it is reported rarely in Ireland. The characteristic histological lesion is a mass of encapsulated yeasts with a mild granulomatous inflammatory reaction mainly causing rhinitis, meningitis and dermatitis. Occasionally, dissemination to the lung and other organs occurs.
Materials and Methods: A 2.5-year-old female springer spaniel was presented to the University Veterinary Hospital Dublin, with a 12-day history of a subcutaneous mass on the neck (pyogranulomatous panniculitis), inappetence and pyrexia (41°C). Radiographs showed multifocal pulmonary nodules. The dog died despite treatment.
Results: Post-mortem examination identified the mass on the neck as severe granulomatous lymphadenitis. Multifocal widespread granulomas were further seen in the lungs and in the nasal cavity. All lesions were associated with fibrinous vasculitis and necrosis. No aetiological agent could be detected on HE and numerous histochemical stains. Microbiological tissue cultures were negative. Subsequent fluorescence in-situ hybridization revealed multifocal clusters of fungi identified as C. neoformans. PCR and sequencing results will follow.
Conclusions: This is an unusual presentation of a sporadic disease in a dog. The widespread granulomas associated with vasculitis and marked tissue damage in the absence of the characteristic large numbers of encapsulated yeasts in an immunocompetent host suggest that the disease was caused by an over exuberant inflammatory reaction. C. neoformans should be considered as a differential diagnosis in subcutaneous granulomas where no infectious agent is detectable by routine histological methods.
Materials and Methods: A 2.5-year-old female springer spaniel was presented to the University Veterinary Hospital Dublin, with a 12-day history of a subcutaneous mass on the neck (pyogranulomatous panniculitis), inappetence and pyrexia (41°C). Radiographs showed multifocal pulmonary nodules. The dog died despite treatment.
Results: Post-mortem examination identified the mass on the neck as severe granulomatous lymphadenitis. Multifocal widespread granulomas were further seen in the lungs and in the nasal cavity. All lesions were associated with fibrinous vasculitis and necrosis. No aetiological agent could be detected on HE and numerous histochemical stains. Microbiological tissue cultures were negative. Subsequent fluorescence in-situ hybridization revealed multifocal clusters of fungi identified as C. neoformans. PCR and sequencing results will follow.
Conclusions: This is an unusual presentation of a sporadic disease in a dog. The widespread granulomas associated with vasculitis and marked tissue damage in the absence of the characteristic large numbers of encapsulated yeasts in an immunocompetent host suggest that the disease was caused by an over exuberant inflammatory reaction. C. neoformans should be considered as a differential diagnosis in subcutaneous granulomas where no infectious agent is detectable by routine histological methods.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | ESVP and ECVP Proceedings |
| Subtitle of host publication | Journal of Comparative Pathology |
| Pages | 96 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Volume | 156 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 31 Jan 2017 |