Cryptococcus neoformans and Mycobacterium bovis causing granulomatous pneumonia in a goat

An adult Blanca-Celtibérica doe originating from a goat herd with a high prevalence of tuberculosis was presented with respiratory signs. At necropsy, this goat had a diffuse and severe mycotic pneumonia associated with the presence of Cryptococcus neoformans concomitant with pulmonary focal caseous nodules from which Mycobacterium bovis was isolated. Microscopically, the mycotic lesion was a granulomatous pneumonia with many large foamy macrophages containing intracellular yeast bodies. The extensive mycotic changes, their granulomatous nature, and the lack of positive response to different immunologic tests for mycobacterial infection suggested an impaired immune status in this animal.