title: Cryptococcosis in Gilbert's and long-nosed potoroo.
abstract: Two cases of fatal cryptococcosis are described, one of Cryptococcus neoformans infection in a Gilbert's potoroo (Potorous gilbertii) and one of Cryptococcus gattii infection in a long-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus). The diagnoses were confirmed by culture and specific immunohistochemistry, respectively. The long-nosed potoroo tested positive using the latex cryptococcal antigen test (LCAT), whereas the Gilbert's potoroo had a negative LCAT result despite having advanced disease of some duration. In both cases, the clinical presentation was a progressive neurologic disease associated with a central nervous system infection. Pulmonary infection was also observed in the long-nosed potoroo. Specific treatment with antifungal agents was unsuccessful in the long-nosed potoroo.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Department, Perth Zoo, 20 Labouchere Road, South Perth, Western Australia 6151, Australia. Rebecca.Vaughan@perthzoo.wa.gov.au
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Vaughan
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Vitali
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Eden
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Payne
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Warren
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Forshaw
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Friend
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Horwitz
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Main
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Krockenberger
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Malik
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000662:veterinary; D017964:Itraconazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D048328:Potoroidae / Q000469:parasitology*
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D017964:Itraconazole