Cryptococcosis in dogs - clinical signs, diagnosis, and treatment

Cryptococcosis is a systemic mycotic disease of animals and people worldwide, caused by an encapsulated yeast species of the genus Cryptococcus, which have a predilection for the nervous and respiratory systems. The majority of infections in dogs, are caused by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii. In contrast to cats, which frequently develop localized nasal or cutaneous disease, dogs more commonly experience systemic dissemination of the infection, resulting in a life-threatening illness. Hence, these dogs are frequently presented to emergency and critical care veterinarians. The aim of this article is to update veterinarians, that evaluate critically ill dogs, on recent research in the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentations, diagnosis, treatment, and public health considerations of cryptococcosis. The majority of dogs with cryptococcosis are purebred dogs, aged less than 6 years, but the disease can occur at any age. There is no sex predisposition. Clinical signs depend on the sites of infection, but frequent involvement of critical organs such as the CNS, eyes, gastrointestinal tract, myocardium, adrenal glands, and pancreas, is reported. The most commonly used antifungal drugs are azoles Treatment must be continued for at least 6 months and often for over a year after diagnosis. The prognosis for canine cryptococcosis is variable and depends upon disease severity, the cryptococcal strain, host immunity, and also on the financial capabilities of the owner