A case of systemic cryptococcus in a 5 year old American Cocker Spaniel
No Access Until
Permanent Link(s)
Collections
Other Titles
Author(s)
Abstract
A 5 year old, female spayed, American Cocker Spaniel was presented to the Cornell University Hospital for Animals Internal Medicine Service for dysphagia and a recurring fever of unknown origin. On presentation she was mentally dull, febrile, had peripheral lymphadenomegaly of the mandibular, prescapular and popliteal lymph nodes, discomfort on palpation of her neck, and chorioretinitis in both eyes. A subcutaneous mass was detected over her right scapula and a small scab was found on the lateral metatarsal region of her right hind limb. A CBC revealed a mature neutrophilia and monocytosis, and no significant abnormalities were found on the chemistry panel. Thoracic radiographs showed moderate tracheobronchial lymphadenopathy. An abdominal ultrasound was performed which revealed an enlarged medial iliac lymph node. Cervical ultrasound revealed severe bilateral medial retropharyngeal lymph node enlargement and enlargement of the mandibular lymph nodes. Fine needle aspirates of the popliteal lymph nodes, medial retropharyngeal lymph nodes, and mandibular lymph nodes were submitted for cytology. Cytology of all lymph nodes revealed pyogranulomatous inflammation, lymphoid hyperplasia, and encapsulated yeast organisms with narrow based budding, consistent with Cryptococcus spp. A serum Cryptococcus antigen titer was greater or equal to 2048. The patient was diagnosed with Disseminated Cryptococcus infection and started on treatment with antifungal agents.
Journal / Series
Seminar SF610.1 2011