Athanasiou A.N. DVM, Specialty Intern in Neurology and Neurosurgery, San Marco Veterinary Clinic and Laboratory, Veggiano, Italy
Burbaitė E. DVM, Specialty Intern in Neurology and Neurosurgery, San Marco Veterinary Clinic and Laboratory, Veggiano, Italy
Cocchetto A. DVM, ECVN Resident in Veterinary Neurology and Neurosurgery, San Marco Veterinary Clinic and Laboratory, Veggiano, Italy
Menchetti M. DVM, Ph.D, Dipl. ECVN, EBVS® European Specialist in Veterinary Neurology, Head of Neurology and Neurosurgery Department, San Marco Veterinary Clinic and Laboratory, Veggiano, Italy
Introduction
The aim of the present case report is to describe the relevant clinical and diagnostic imaging findings in a dog suffering from fungal meningoencephalitis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans.
Clinical case
A 26-month-old, male, mixed breed dog was presented with acute onset of sensory depression and severe weight loss. The neurological examination showed the involvement of forebrain, left vestibular system and the cervical and lumbar region of the spinal cord. Full haemato-biochemistry, serology, coagulation profile, electrophoresis, urine test and culture were performed together with abdominal ultrasound, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) analysis.
Results
The laboratory findings indicated a mild inflammation. The MRI revealed a single large encephalic mass lesion along with multiple foci of encephalopathy and meningeal contrast enhancement, most likely indicative of an inflammatory-infectious process (fungal amongst others). CSF analysis and cytological examination showed mixed pleocytosis associated with the presence of yeast organisms. PCR-Real time on CSF sample resulted positive for Cryptococcus neoformans. The prognosis was poor and the patient deceased after two days of hospitalization due to the occurrence of seizures and increased intracranial pressure.
Conclusions
The present case report is an example of clinical and diagnostic findings in an advanced central nervous system cryptococcosis.
References
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