Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with inner ear infection caused by Cryptococcus neoformans fungus
By Paulin, J et al.·Published in Veterinary pathology·2013·Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Otitis interna induced by Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii in a cat.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 7-year-old female domestic shorthair cat was brought to the vet after suddenly showing signs of balance problems and dizziness for 9 days. Tests revealed that she had a serious ear infection caused by a yeast called Cryptococcus neoformans, which affected her inner ears and disrupted her hearing and balance. Unfortunately, the infection led to significant inflammation and damage, and the cat did not recover. This case highlights the importance of prompt veterinary care for unusual symptoms like vestibular disease in pets.
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Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii was identified at necropsy in a case of bilateral otitis interna in a 7-year-old, female, domestic shorthair cat with a 9-day history of acute onset of vestibular disease. Gross examination, including that of the middle and inner ears, was unremarkable. Histologically, the auricular vestibuli, cochleae, and semicircular canals were bilaterally affected by granulomatous inflammation with extracellular and intrahistiocytic yeasts. The yeasts and associated inflammation obstructed and disrupted perilymphatic and endolymphatic spaces of the inner ears. Disruption of the saccular and utricular maculae, cristae ampularis, and organ of Corti, as well as changes in the endolymphatic and perilymphatic fluids, probably impaired the vestibular and auditory functions of this cat. The route of infection was most likely hematogenous.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22700851/