Spinal Cryptococcoma in an Immunocompetent Cat

This report describes an unusual case of primary cryptococcoma in the proximal thoracic spinal cord of an 11-year-old immunocompetent cat from a farm on which there were large numbers of pigeons. This animal was referred for examination with progressive paralysis and shown to be free from feline imm...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of comparative pathology 2008-11, Vol.139 (4), p.246-251
Main Authors: Belluco, S., Thibaud, J.L., Guillot, J., Krockenberger, M.B., Wyers, M., Blot, S., Colle, M.A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
case studies
cat
cat diseases
Cat Diseases - microbiology
Cat Diseases - pathology
Cat Diseases - physiopathology
Cats
cryptococcosis
Cryptococcosis - pathology
Cryptococcosis - physiopathology
Cryptococcosis - veterinary
Cryptococcus neoformans
immunocompetence
Immunohistochemistry
lesions (animal)
Life Sciences
Male
spinal cord
Spinal Cord Diseases - microbiology
Spinal Cord Diseases - pathology
Spinal Cord Diseases - veterinary
spinal cryptococcoma
spinal diseases
Thoracic Vertebrae
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Summary:This report describes an unusual case of primary cryptococcoma in the proximal thoracic spinal cord of an 11-year-old immunocompetent cat from a farm on which there were large numbers of pigeons. This animal was referred for examination with progressive paralysis and shown to be free from feline immunodeficiency virus, feline leukaemia virus, feline coronavirus and Toxoplasma gondii. It died 2 months later. At necropsy, the only lesion detected was a malacic area, 4 cm in length, in the spinal cord. Histopathological examination of the spinal cord revealed severe granulomatous inflammation associated with large numbers of encapsulated yeast cells. In addition to the granulomatous host response, necrosis, digestion chambers, Gitter cells, spheroids and lymphocytic perivascular cuffs were features of the malacic areas. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence of Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii yeast cells.
ISSN:0021-9975
1532-3129
DOI:10.1016/j.jcpa.2008.06.007