Systemic Cryptococcus albidus infection in a Doberman Pinscher.
Abstract: Cryptococcus albidus is a saprophytic, encapsulated yeast usually found in air, both outdoor and indoor, and sometimes on human skin. It is not usually considered to be a primary pathogen. Most cryptococcal infections of humans and animals are caused by Cryptococcus neoformans. Several cases of C. albidus infection have been reported in humans over the past 20 years. In the veterinary literature, 2 equine cases have been described: genital infection and mycotic keratitis. The present report is the first documented case of C. albidus systemic infection in a dog. Veterinarians and diagnosticians should be aware that C. albidus may be a potential canine pathogen.
Publication Date: 2006-02-16 PubMed ID: 16475523DOI: 10.1177/104063870501700615Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research reports the first documented case of a systemic infection in a dog caused by Cryptococcus albidus, a type of yeast usually found in the air and occasionally on human skin, but not typically seen as a main disease-causing agent.
Cryptococcus albidus as a Pathogen
- Cryptococcus albidus is an encapsulated yeast that is often found in the air, both indoor and outdoor, as well as sometimes on human skin. It is saprophytic in nature, meaning it generally feeds on dead or decaying organic matter.
- Despite being pervasive in the environment, C. albidus is not usually considered to be a primary pathogen, implying it is not typically seen as the direct cause of diseases. Usually, Cryptococcus neoformans is the main cryptococcal species causing infections in both humans and animals.
Previous Cases of C. albidus Infection
- Over the past two decades, numerous cases of C. albidus infection have been reported in humans. Therefore, while not a regular occurrence, such infections are not unheard of.
- In the sphere of veterinary medicine, previous recorded instances of C. albidus infections have been limited to two equine cases. One was a genital infection and the other was mycotic keratitis, a fungal infective condition of the cornea.
First Documented Infection in a Dog
- This research presents the first documented case of a systemic infection in a dog caused by C. albidus. A systemic infection indicates that the pathogen has spread throughout the body, not just localizing at the point of infection, making the situation potentially more severe.
- The groundbreaking nature of this case suggests that further investigations are necessary to assess the likelihood and impact of C. albidus infections in dogs.
Implications for the Veterinary Community
- Given this discovery, both veterinarians and diagnosticians should adjust their perspectives to consider C. albidus as a potential canine pathogen.
- Such a change would involve paying careful attention to the possibility of C. albidus infections when treating dogs and incorporating this potential diagnosis into their investigative and diagnostic procedures.
Cite This Article
APA
Labrecque O, Sylvestre D, Messier S.
(2006).
Systemic Cryptococcus albidus infection in a Doberman Pinscher.
J Vet Diagn Invest, 17(6), 598-600.
https://doi.org/10.1177/104063870501700615 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Q, Canada.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cryptococcosis / microbiology
- Cryptococcosis / veterinary
- Cryptococcus / classification
- Cryptococcus / isolation & purification
- Dog Diseases / microbiology
- Dogs
- Eye / microbiology
- Female
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Holz PH, Lumsden LF, Marenda MS, Browning GF, Hufschmid J. Two subspecies of bent-winged bats (Miniopterus orianae bassanii and oceanensis) in southern Australia have diverse fungal skin flora but not Pseudogymnoascus destructans. PLoS One 2018;13(10):e0204282.
- Aghaei Gharehbolagh S, Nasimi M, Agha Kuchak Afshari S, Ghasemi Z, Rezaie S. First case of superficial infection due to Naganishia albida (formerly Cryptococcus albidus) in Iran: A review of the literature. Curr Med Mycol 2017 Jun;3(2):33-37.
- Santin R, Mattei AS, Waller SB, Madrid IM, Cleff MB, Xavier MO, de Oliveira Nobre M, Nascente Pda S, de Mello JR, Meireles MC. Clinical and mycological analysis of dog's oral cavity. Braz J Microbiol 2013;44(1):139-43.
- Rosario I, Soro G, Déniz S, Ferrer O, Acosta F, Padilla D, Acosta B. Presence of C. albidus, C. laurentii and C. uniguttulatus in crop and droppings of pigeon lofts (Columba livia). Mycopathologia 2010 Apr;169(4):315-9.
- Pedroso RS, Ferreira JC, Lavrador MA, Maffei CM, Candido RC. Evaluation of the experimental inoculation of Cryptococcus albidus and Cryptococcus laurentii in normal mice: virulence factors and molecular profile before and after animal passage. Mycopathologia 2009 Aug;168(2):59-72.
- Mcleland S, Duncan C, Spraker T, Wheeler E, Lockhart SR, Gulland F. Cryptococcus albidus infection in a California sea lion (Zalophus californianus). J Wildl Dis 2012 Oct;48(4):1030-4.
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