Abstract
BackgroundCryptococcus spp. are saprophytic and opportunistic fungal pathogens that are known to cause severe disease in immunocompromised animals. In goats there are reports of clinical cryptococcal pneumonia and mastitis but not of meningitis.Case presentationThe following report describes a case of a five year old buck showing severe neurological signs, including paraplegia and strong pain reaction to touch of the hindquarters region. Treatment with antibiotics was unsuccessful and the animal was euthanized for humanitarian reasons. Postmortem examination revealed lumbar meningitis, lung nodules and caseous lymphadenitis lesions. Encapsulated Cryptococcus neoformans were identified from the lungs and meninges, showing that cryptococcal meningitis should be included in the differential diagnosis of goats showing paresis and hyperesthesia. The possibility of concurrent immunosuppression due to Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection is raised.ConclusionsCryptoccocal meningitis should be included in the differential diagnosis list of goat diseases with ataxia and hyperesthesia.
Highlights
Cryptococcus spp. are saprophytic and opportunistic fungal pathogens that are known to cause severe disease in immunocompromised animals
Cryptoccocal meningitis should be included in the differential diagnosis list of goat diseases with ataxia and hyperesthesia
Pulmonary disease and mastitis have been described in sheep and goats, but no report of goat meningitis due to Cryptococcus infection has been published
Summary
Cryptococcus sp. is a dimorphic yeastlike fungus with worldwide distribution. In animal tissues Cryptococcus is seen as a round encapsulated organism sometimes forming daughter buds that are connected to the parent cell by an isthmus. Cryptococcus neoformans is the usual causative agent of animal cryptococcosis. There is strong evidence that the mode of infection is via inhalation of air-borne organisms (desiccated yeast cells or spores) and that systemic cryptococcosis will start in the nasal cavity or the lungs, respiratory involvement usually does not result in clinical signs. Reaction to touch and front legs’ muscle tone were reduced but considered normal due to the depression state of the animal, so the neurological examination suggested a lesion limited to the lumbosacral region. There were signs of granulomatous pneumonia and extensive congestion and oedema with lymphocyte infiltration of the lumbosacral meninges consistent with acute meningitis In both lung and meninges numerous round shape organisms with narrow-necked budding were visible and identified morphologically as C. neoformans (Figure 2). Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis was isolated from the caseous material found in the lymph nodes
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
