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Feline Cryptococcosis due to Cryptococcus gattii VGII (Recently Renamed as C. deuterogattii) in an FIV-Positive Cat With Demodicosis From Manaus, Central Amazon, Brazil

Summary

A 20-month-old cat from Brazil’s Amazon region presented with nasal discharge, skin lesions, and a neck mass and was diagnosed with cryptococcosis caused by a dangerous fungus called C. deuterogattii. The cat was also infected with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), which weakened its immune system and made it vulnerable to the fungal infection. Treatment with the antifungal medication fluconazole successfully cured the infection within 8 weeks, and the cat made a full recovery.

Background

Cryptococcosis is a severe systemic fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii species complexes, representing the most prevalent systemic fungal infection in cats. The Amazon region provides environmental conditions favorable for C. gattii proliferation due to abundance of decaying organic matter and tropical climate. Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a well-documented predisposing factor for cryptococcal infections in cats.

Objective

This case report documents the diagnosis and successful treatment of cryptococcosis caused by C. gattii VGII in a 20-month-old FIV-positive domestic cat from Manaus, Brazil, with concurrent demodicosis. The report aims to underscore the importance of considering cryptococcosis in differential diagnoses for immunocompromised cats and to highlight the Amazon region as an area of environmental prevalence of C. gattii VGII.

Results

Cytological examination revealed pyogranulomatous infiltrate with encapsulated yeast consistent with Cryptococcus spp. PCR-RFLP and ITS sequencing confirmed C. gattii VGII (C. deuterogattii). MIC values showed acceptable susceptibility to fluconazole (4 μg/mL), itraconazole (4 μg/mL), ketoconazole (2 μg/mL), and amphotericin B (0.062 μg/mL). Treatment with fluconazole resulted in complete clinical resolution of nasal discharge, cutaneous lesions, and subcutaneous nodule within 8 weeks.

Conclusion

This case represents the first documented feline cryptococcosis caused by C. gattii VGII in Manaus, Brazil, highlighting the need for awareness of this pathogen in endemic regions. Molecular identification and antifungal susceptibility testing were crucial for accurate diagnosis and therapeutic decision-making. The findings contribute to understanding feline cryptococcosis epidemiology in the Amazon region and underscore the importance of considering cryptococcosis in immunocompromised cats.
  • Published in:Case Reports in Veterinary Medicine,
  • Study Type:Case Report,
  • Source: PMID: 40444257, DOI: 10.1155/crve/8368783
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