title: Cryptococcosis in captive cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus): two cases.
abstract: Cryptococcus neoformans is a yeast-like organism associated with pulmonary, meningoencephalitic, or systemic disease. This case report documents 2 cases of cryptococcosis with central nervous system involvement in captive cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus). In both cases the predominant post mortal lesions were pulmonary cryptococcomas and extensive meningoencephalomyelitis. Both cheetahs tested negative for feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukaemia virus. The organism isolated in Case 2 was classified as Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii, which is mainly associated with disease in immunocompetent hosts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Medical University of Southern Africa, Medunsa.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Bolton
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Lobetti
authors.forename: D N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Evezard
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Picard
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Nesbit
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van Heerden
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Burroughs
mesh_terms: D002612:Acinonyx; D000818:Animals; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D008172:Lung Diseases, Fungal / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D008590:Meningoencephalitis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron