Cryptococcosis

Cryptococcus species complexes cause different diseases affecting living animals worldwide, including experimental, domestic and wild animals. Cryptococcus neoformans is distributed globally with high prevalence in Western countries like Canada, Australia and America, more so on the West Coast. Cryptococcus gattii is reported from areas of the Pacific Northwest USA and some parts of British Columbia. C. neoformans and C. gattii are most reported in animals. The clinical manifestations of animal cryptococcosis differ from those of human infections. Diagnosis of cryptococcosis is primarily based on microscopy, culture and antigen detection. Household transmission from rodents or pets may have public health importance. It is difficult to prevent cryptococcosis in animals due to exposure to natural sources such as soil.