title: Abdominal cryptococcosis in two dogs: diagnosis and medical management.
abstract: Canine cryptococcosis cases are typically reported as neurologic, disseminated, or both. There have been few reports of other parenchymal organ involvement. Dogs infected with Cryptococcus spp. are likely to develop central nervous system involvement, and those that are severely affected are treated aggressively with surgery and/or amphotericin B. This report describes two cases of canine abdominal cryptococcosis: one boxer with primary alimentary cryptococcosis alone and one miniature schnauzer with pancreatic and disseminated cryptococcosis. The boxer is unique in that the dog suffered from primary alimentary cryptococcosis without dissemination, secondary anemia due to gastrointestinal losses, and is the second case to have Cryptococcus spp. identified on fecal examination as part of the diagnostic workup. Unlike previous reports, surgery was not performed in either case, and both dogs were treated with fluconazole alone. Currently, both dogs are free from clinical signs, and Cryptococcus spp. antigen titers are negative at 17 and 15 mo after initial presentation. These cases suggest fluconazole may be effective therapy alone for canine abdominal cryptococcosis, negating the need for high-risk therapy options such as surgery and/or amphotericin B in some cases.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Pathobiology (R.P.) and Department of Clinical Studies (M.L.), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (L.T.); and Angell Animal Medical Center (D.D.).
authors.forename: Lindsay
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tangeman
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Davignon
authors.forename: Reema
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Meryl
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Littman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D015725:Fluconazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D015725:Fluconazole