What is Cryptococcus neoformans
The pathogen of Cryptococcus neoformans is Cryptococcus neoformans, which is a round yeast type with a capsule on the periphery.
Why are cats more common?
A subspecies of Cryptococcus neoformans is a common causative agent of feline cryptococcosis neoformans, often present in the habitat or excreta of pigeons or other birds.
Key points
Pigeons are the most important transmission medium of Cryptococcus neoformans
The study found that Cryptococcus neoformans mostly exists in pigeon nests, attics, dead branches and leaves Wait for the place where the pigeons often fly.
Clinical symptoms
Clinical cases after infection in cats are generally related to the upper respiratory tract, nasopharynx, skin, Eye and central nervous system infections, occasionally oral ulcers.
40% to 50% of cases are victims of the skin or subcutaneous tissue, presenting as papules, nodules, and possibly ulcers or exudation of inflammatory substances, and local lymph node inflammation.
50% to 80% of cases have upper respiratory symptoms, manifested as sneezing, nasal congestion, unilateral or bilateral nasal mucopurulent secretions, or blood.
Other
CNS infections are mainly manifested as depression, abnormal behavior, convulsions, rotations, opisthotonos, blindness and other neurological symptoms, complicated by leukemia or immunodeficiency syndrome. CNS and ocular symptoms are more likely to occur in cats with schizophrenia. About 25% of cats have central nervous system disease, and 20% to 25% have cat eye disease.
Differential diagnosis
Need to be compared with other respiratory diseases (nasal tumor, nasal aspergillosis, nasal Differential diagnosis of fungal infections, etc.), central nervous system diseases caused by toxoplasma, and other ocular and skin fungal infections.
Direct microscopy
According to the symptoms, the corresponding disease materials (such as cerebrospinal fluid and brain lesions in the case of encephalitis; respiratory secretions and lung lesions in the case of pulmonary symptoms; skin type Take exudate and tumor tissue) for staining microscopy, and bacteria can be seen.
Fungal isolation and culture showed small colonies in the shape of dewdrops, which later turned milky white and protruded.
Imaging
Chest x-ray may show small lumps or large areas of lung shadows, pleural effusion, and enlarged bronchial lymph nodes in organs.
Nasal lesions may show increased soft tissue density and destruction of bony structures in the nose and frontal sinuses on x-ray.
Hematological and biochemical examinations
There may be mild non-aplastic anemia and mature leukocytosis or mild left shift.
Treatment
Early aggressive treatment of cryptococcosis maximizes the likelihood of a positive result. Fortunately, there are many antifungal medications, such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, or fluconazole, which are commonly taken orally for feline cryptococcosis. Among them, itraconazole (Hanfuxin) is more effective than ketoconazole, and Hanfuxin is a new generation of antifungal oral liquid with a special approval for cats.
