Cryptococcosis in cats: clinical and mycological assessment of 29 cases and evaluation of treatment using orally administered fluconazole.

Twenty-nine cats with naturally occurring cryptococcosis were evaluated prior to commencing oral fluconazole therapy (25-100 mg every 12 h). Affected cats ranged from 2 to 15 years-of-age. Male cats (19; 66%) and Siamese cats (5; 21%) appeared to be over-represented in comparison to the hospital's cat population. Mycotic rhinitis was observed in 24 (83%) of the cases, although nasal cavity involvement was subtle in four animals. Disease of the skin and subcutaneous tissues was present in 15 cases (52%) and amongst these the nasal plane (seven cats) and bridge of the nose (seven cats) were most commonly involved. Primary infection of the central nervous system was not encountered, although one cat developed meningoencephalitis and optic neuritis as a sequel to longstanding nasal cavity disease. Antibodies against the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) were detected in eight cats (28%), and these cats tended to have advanced and/or disseminated disease. There was a tendency for cats to develop cryptococcosis during the Australian summer. Organisms were cultured from 27 cases. Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans was isolated from 21 cats, while C. neoformans var. gattii was identified in the remaining six. The response to oral fluconazole was excellent in this series, which included many cats with advanced, longstanding or disseminated disease. The fungal infection resolved in all but one advanced case which died after only 4 days of therapy. A dose of 50 mg per cat, given every 12 h, produced a consistently good response without side effects. Lower doses were effective in some cases, while 100 mg every 12 h was required to control the infection in one cat. Serum fluconazole levels obtained during chronic dosing (50 +/- 18 mg l-1, mean +/- SD; 50 mg per cat every 12 h) were highly variable (range 15-80 mg l-1). Concurrent FIV infection did not impart an unfavourable prognosis, although affected cats often required prolonged courses of therapy.