Nasopharyngeal cryptococcosis |
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| Authors: | R MALIK P MARTIN DI WIGNEY DB CHURCH W BRADLEY CR BELLENGER WA LAMB VR BARRS S FOSTER S HEMSLEY PJ CANFIELD DN LOVE |
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| Institution: | Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006;Department of Veterinary Pathology and Bacteriology, The University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006;Ku-ring-gai Veterinary Hospital, Curagul Road, Turramurra North, New South Wales 2074;PO Box 307, North Ryde, New South Wales 2113 |
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| Abstract: | Naturally occurring cryptococcosis in five cats, a dog and a koala is described. Involvement of the nasopharynx was documented in all patients, and nasopharyngeal mass lesions accounted for the major presenting complaints in four. Signs referable to nasopharyngeal disease included snoring, stertor, inspiratory dyspnoea and aerophagia. Diagnoses were made by caudal rhinoscopy using a retroverted flexible endoscope, vigorous orthograde flushing with saline, or at necropsy. Concurrent cryptococcal rhinitis was present in all cases, although involvement appeared limited to the caudal nasal cavity in most cases. Typical signs of nasal cavity disease, such as sneezing and nasal discharge, were often absent. Treatment of nasopharyngeal cryptococcosis should include physical dislodgement or debulking of lesion(s) to provide immediate alleviation of upper airway obstruction, followed by systemic antifungal therapy to eliminate residual infection from the nasal cavity. Infections caused by Cryptococcus neoformans var gattii accounted for a disproportionately large number of these cases. |
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| Keywords: | Cryptococcus neoformans cryptococcosis nasopharynx dog cat koala |
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