Intestinal criptococosis in a dog - case report

Abstract

ABSTRACT Cryptococcosis is a fungal infection that most commonly affects the respiratory tract or central nervous system. However, dogs and cats may also develop cutaneous and gastrointestinal forms of the disease, although these are less frequently reported. This article describes a rare case of intestinal cryptococcosis in a dog. The patient was referred for evaluation due to intermittent bilious vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and hyporexia. Physical examination revealed mild hyperthermia and a palpable abdominal mass. Abdominal ultrasonography identified mesenteric lymphadenopathy and alterations in the intestinal loops. Based on these findings, the patient underwent exploratory celiotomy, which revealed an enlarged and reactive mesenteric lymph node. Cytological analysis of fine-needle aspirates from the lymph node demonstrated fungal structures, and PCR confirmed infection by Cryptococcus spp. Histopathological examination of mesenteric lymph node and intestinal tissue samples revealed granulomatous inflammation with areas of necrosis and fungal hyphae. These findings confirmed the rare diagnosis of granulomatous intestinal cryptococcosis in a dog.