First case of feline cryptococcosis in Hong Kong, caused by Cryptococcus neoformans

Abstract

A nine-year-old domestic short hair cat was presented for a nasal planum mass, nasal discharge, hyporexia and weight loss. On physical examination nasal proliferative and ulcerative lesions and submandibular lymphadenopathy were identified. Cytology, histopathology, fungal culture, antigen serology and MALDI-TOF confirmed cryptococcal rhinitis with regional mandibular lymph node involvement due to Cryptococcus neoformans infection. This is the first reported case of cryptococcosis in a feline patient in Hong Kong.

Keywords

• Cryptococcus neoformans
• Basidiomycetous fungi
• Lymphadenopathy
• Azole therapy
• Histopathology