Report of a feline Cryptococcus neoformans infection in Hungary

Cryptococcosis is a globally occurring fungal disease that affects both humans and animals. It is the most common systemic mycosis in cats, primarily documented through case reports and retrospective studies. In feline cases, clinical symptoms typically begin with skin lesions appearing in the nasal and frontal regions, as observed in the case presented here. This case report details a 13-year-old European shorthair cat that presented with a 3-month history of progressive naso-ocular lesions and weight loss. The cat was likely infected through cat scratches, leading to contamination with encapsulated yeast cells, which resulted in localized skin lesions. Skin scrape cytology of the lesions showed many macrophages with numerous extra and intracytoplasmic organisms compatible with Cryptococcus species. Histopathological examination revealed pyogranulomatous inflammation with encapsulated yeasts. Latex cryptococcal antigen agglutination test on serum was positive. Fungal culture identified Cryptococcus neoformans. Unfortunately, shortly after the initiation of targeted treatment, the cat passed away. The authors provide a comprehensive overview of this cryptococcosis case. Cryptococcosis is an underdiagnosed disease and its early detection can be challenging due to nonspecific symptoms. Early initiation of targeted antifungal therapy significantly increases the chances of recovery.