Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat seizures caused by brain cryptococcal granuloma infection
By Foster, S F et al.·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2000·Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Australia·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Cerebral cryptococcal granuloma in a cat.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 7-year-old cat was brought in for seizures that didn't improve with treatment. Initially, the vet thought it might be toxoplasmosis and prescribed clindamycin, but the seizures continued and new neurological symptoms appeared over six months. An MRI revealed a mass in the brain, which turned out to be a cryptococcal granuloma, a type of fungal infection. This case highlights the need for testing for cryptococcosis in cats showing signs of brain problems. After the diagnosis, appropriate treatment for the fungal infection can help manage the condition.
People also search for: cat seizures treatment · cryptococcosis in cats · cat brain mass symptoms
Abstract
A 7-year-old cat was presented for seizures. Cerebrospinal fluid cytology and serology were consistent with a diagnosis of toxoplasmosis. The cat was treated with clindamycin but seizures continued and additional neurological signs developed over 6 months. A mass lesion was identified in the left cerebral hemisphere using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The lesion enhanced after gadolidium and a tumour was considered likely. Histologically, the lesion proved to be a cryptococcal granuloma and retrospective serology confirmed that the cat had cryptococcosis at its initial presentation. This report provides the first description in the veterinary literature of the MRI appearance of a cerebral cryptococcoma and emphasises the importance of performing cryptococcal antigen determination in cats with signs of intracranial disease.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11716619/