title: Clinical features and epidemiology of cryptococcosis in cats and dogs in California: 93 cases (1988-2010).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare clinical features of cryptococcosis among cats and dogs in California, determine whether the distribution of involved tissues differs from distribution reported previously in a study in southeastern Australia, and identify Cryptococcus spp isolated from the study population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  62 cats and 31 dogs with cryptococcosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records of cats and dogs with cryptococcosis were reviewed. Information collected included geographic location, species, signalment, and tissues or organs involved. Cryptococcosis was confirmed via serology, cytology, histology, or microbial culture, and molecular typing was performed. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to determine significant associations among variables. Other comparisons were evaluated via χ(2) or unpaired t tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  American Cocker Spaniels were overrepresented, compared with other dog breeds. Serum cryptococcal antigen test results were positive in 51 of 53 cats and 15 of 18 dogs tested. Cryptococcus gattii was more commonly detected in cats (7/9 for which species identification was performed), and Cryptococcus neoformans was more commonly detected in dogs (6/8). Six of 7 C gattii isolates from cats were molecular type VGIII. Distribution of involved tissues was different between cats and dogs in California and between populations of the present study and those of the previously reported Australian study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Strains of Cryptococcus spp appeared to have host specificity in dogs and cats. Differences in lesion distribution between geographic locations may reflect strain differences or referral bias. Antigen assays alone may not be sufficient for diagnosis of cryptococcosis in cats and dogs.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
authors.forename: Sameer R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Trivedi
authors.forename: Jane E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Sykes
authors.forename: Matthew S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Cannon
authors.forename: Erik R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Wisner
authors.forename: Wieland
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: Beverly K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Sturges
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Dickinson
authors.forename: Lynelle R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D002415:Cats; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies