Special Veterinary Pathology

CRYPTOCOCCOSIS

Synonym

• Torulosis

Definition

• It is a disease of many animal species caused by yeast like fungus and usually affects the respiratory and central neruous system.

Aetiology

• Cryptococcus neoformans

Transmission

• Inhalation
• Opportunistic infection in immunocompromised animals

Susceptibility

• Cattle, sheep, pigs, horses, cats, dogs, mild species

Gross lesions

• Respiratory and CNS are affected
• Typical granulomas project from organs and displace them
• Any portion of respiratory system from external nares to the lungs
• Cerebrospinal meninges and brain are affected

Microscopical lesions

• Granulomas contains masses of proliferating organisms
• Fungi appear ovoid or spherical, thick walled, yeast – like bodies
• Capsule stains selectively by the PAS method and mucicarmine technique for glycogen
• Rapid multiplication of organism leads to cystic lesions especially in brain, adrenal, lymphnodes and mammary glands.

Diagnosis

• Based on characteristic microscopic lesions
• Demonstration of organism in tissue sections