Systemic cryptococcosis in a cat

A three-year-old, castrated, male, domestic cat presented with an antibiotic-resistant rhinitis, generalised lymphadenopathy, and skin nodules distributed over the neck, thorax and abdomen. Cryptococcus neoformans was identified on cytology and histopathology specimens, and cultured from all the specimens submitted. The cat died without antimicrobial therapy being instituted. Systemic cryptococcosis was confirmed on necropsy. Lesions were found in the upper and lower respiratory tracts, skin, subcutis, skeletal musculature, lymph nodes, kidney, eye and brain. This report details a case of systemic cryptococcosis in a cat and gives a review of feline cryptococcosis.