title: Evaluation of risk factors for Cryptococcus gattii infection in dogs and cats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine risk factors associated with Cryptococcus gattii infection in dogs and cats residing on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada.
  
  
  METHODS
  Matched case-control study.
  
  
  METHODS
  20 dogs and 29 cats with C gattii infection and matched controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dogs and cats with a confirmed or probable diagnosis of cryptococcosis resulting from infection with C gattii were enrolled by veterinarians, and owners completed a questionnaire designed to obtain information pertaining to potential risk factors for the disease. Owners of matched control animals were also interviewed. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals or paired t tests were calculated to determine significant associations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Animals were enrolled during 2 noncontiguous periods in August 2001 to February 2002 (8 dogs and 9 cats enrolled) and May to December 2003 (12 dogs and 20 cats enrolled). Risk factors significantly associated with development of cryptococcosis included residing within 10 km of a logging site or other area of commercial soil disturbance, above-average level of activity of the animal, travelling of the animal on Vancouver Island, hunting by the animal, and owners hiking or visiting a botanic garden.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results indicated that dogs and cats that were active or that lived near a site of commercial environmental disturbance had a significantly increased risk of developing C gattii infection. Veterinarians should communicate these risks to owners in context because cryptococcosis was an uncommon disease in this population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4, Canada.
authors.forename: Colleen G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stephen
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Campbell
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D001955:British Columbia / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002415:Cats; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D003454:Cryptococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires