Diagnostic and therapeutic management of Cryptococcosis in a kitten with practical considerations to veterinary pediatric therapeutic approach

Abstract

A 3-months-old male domestic kitten was referred for repeated seizures. Analysis revealed Cryptococcus neoformans. Levetiracetam and fluconazole were administered without significant clinical improvements and without negativization. Hypothesizing resistance, therapy was switched to amphotericin B. Seizure disappeared. Haematological controls highlighted transitory increasing of CK, BUN, ALP and cholesterol. PCR repeated two weeks after the treatment was negative for Cryptococcus neoformans. Nowadays the cat is 5 years old, and no seizures occurred since the age of 5 months.

Keywords

• Cryptococcus neoformans
• Fluconazole
• Levetiracetam
• Amphotericin B
• Drug resistance