Message Number: FHL11480 | New FHL Archives Search
From: "sukiedaviscrandall"
Date: 2010-05-05 16:52:15 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re:ferret cryptococcosis
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com


Fungi can be very hard to treat; unlike bacteria or viruses
the ones which can become systemic share quite a number
of basic cellular functions with "higher" forms of life and as
a result many times what hurts them can hurt the host. This
does not mean that they should not be treated because
infections of essential organs like lungs can be fatal is not
treated. It means that medicating is a matter of achieving balance,
and also requires constant supervision. Yes, medications for
internal fungal diseases can be dangerous.=20
The infection is MUCH MORE dangerous, though.

Currently in the Pacific Northwest there is a mutant of one of the
Cryptococcus species which is especially hard to treat and a high
portion of those who get it die, but luckily it is hard to get.

Info on cryptococcus in ferrets:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20367045

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19306217

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17370514

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17078253

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15626222

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12537139

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12395765

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10860151

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7115232

I'll put the abstracts of the ferret treatment articles
below.

These may be of help:

Cryptococcus is a fungus which is pretty rare in ferrets,
tends to be caught from bird feces when it is gotten, and
the individuals often have another problem which has
suppressed immunity:

http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YG1799
--

Other useful vet posts:
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG9126
Rapid treatment with the right medications before it
winds up someplace critical like the nervous system
improves survival chances:
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG9253
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL4237
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL4836
--

The second study abstract may be useful:
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YPG798
and
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YPG799
--

Older articles:
http://netvet.wustl.edu/species/ferrets/ferretla.txt
includes:
463
"Meningeal cryptococcosis and congestive cardiomyopathy in a
ferret." P.G. Greenlee and E. Stephens. JAVMA - Journal of the
American Veterinary Medical Association 184(7):840-841(April
1984).
NAL call number: 41.8 Am3
KEYWORDS: mycotic diseases; Cryptococcus neoformans; fungus.
464
"Isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans from a ferret." J.H.
Lewington. Australian Veterinary Journal 58:124(March 1982).
NAL call number: 41.8 Au72
KEYWORDS: mycotic diseases; Cryptococcus neoformans.


466
"Actinomycosis and torulosis in the ferret (Mustela furo L)." G.
Skulski and W.S.C. Symmers. Journal of Comparative Pathology
64:306-311(1954).
NAL call number: 41.8 J82
KEYWORDS: mycotic diseases; Cryptococcus; Encephalitozoon
cuniculi; Histoplasma farcinimosum.


http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YG7051
Those articles have been shifted to:
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=3D2+2102&aid=3D255
and
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=3D1+2134&aid=3D254
--

http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YG7054
Notice the third link also mentions soil contaminated by bird droppings.
--

Treatment information on a difficult case (a post which apparently
first got lost in the ether but was re-sent by the poster):
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG17540
--

Others with some information (in no particular order as with other
sections of this post):
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL7482
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL11415
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG13437
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG17526
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL4216
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL4213
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL10636


1. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2010 Apr 1;236(7):770-4.

Disseminated, histologically confirmed Cryptococcus spp infection in a dome=
stic
ferret.

Eshar D, Mayer J, Parry NM, Williams-Fritze MJ, Bradway DS.

Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tu=
fts
University, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA. dreshard@gmail.com

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 4-year-old castrated male domestic ferret from central
Massachusetts was evaluated for weight loss over a 1.5-month period and for=
2
days of retching, diarrhea, and signs of lethargy. It had been housed indoo=
rs,
with 2 other ferrets, 2 cats, and humans that lacked signs or symptoms of
disease. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Physical examination revealed a thin body condi=
tion,
tachypnea, an increase in respiratory effort, and retching. Splenomegaly wa=
s
detected during abdominal palpation. Clinicopathologic analysis revealed
lymphopenia, lactic acidosis, hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, hypoalbuminemia, =
and
hyperglobulinemia. A pulmonary bronchointerstitial pattern was evident on
radiographs, and abdominal ultrasonography revealed a suspected pancreatic =
mass
and mesenteric lymphadenopathy. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: After 2 weeks of med=
ical
treatment and once clinical signs resolved, an exploratory laparotomy was
performed and a lymph node biopsy specimen was collected. Histologic evalua=
tion
of the specimen revealed Cryptococcus-like organisms. Antifungal treatment =
was
initiated with itraconazole (PO) and amphotericin B (IV). The ferret died a=
fter 2
days of treatment. A full necropsy was performed, revealing multicentric
cryptococcosis affecting the lungs, brain, spleen, and multiple lymph nodes=
.
Paraffin-embedded, formalin-fixed lung tissue was submitted for DNA extract=
ion,
and the organism was identified as Cryptococcus neoformans var grubii. CLIN=
ICAL
RELEVANCE: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of dissemina=
ted
cryptococcosis in a North American ferret. This case is unique in that the =
ferret
lived indoors, in a geographic region in which reports of cryptococcosis ar=
e
rare. The genotyping technique used to identify the Cryptococcus strain can=
aid
in better understanding the epidemiology of cryptococcosis.

PMID: 20367045 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


Med Mycol. 2009;47(6):625-39.
Cryptococcosis in domestic animals in Western Australia: a retrospective st=
udy from 1995-2006.
McGill S, Malik R, Saul N, Beetson S, Secombe C, Robertson I, Irwin P.

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, We=
stern Australia, Australia.
Abstract
A retrospective study of cryptococcosis in domestic animals residing in Wes=
tern Australia was conducted over an 11-year-period (from 1995 to 2006) by =
searching the data base of Murdoch University Veterinary Teaching hospital =
and the largest private clinical pathology laboratory in Perth. Cryptococco=
sis was identified in 155 animals: 72 cats, 57 dogs, 20 horses, three alpac=
as, two ferrets and a sheep. There was no seasonal trend apparent from the =
dates of diagnosis. Taking into account the commonness of accessions to Mur=
doch University, cats were five to six times more likely to develop this di=
sease than dogs, and three times more likely than horses, while horses were=
almost twice as likely as dogs to become infected. Amongst the feline coho=
rt, Ragdoll and Birman breeds were over-represented, while in dogs several =
pedigree breeds were similarly overrepresented. Dogs and horses tended to d=
evelop disease at an early age (one to five years), while cats were present=
ed over a much wider range of ages. In cats and dogs the upper respiratory =
tract was the most common primary site of infection, while horses and alpac=
as tended to have lower respiratory involvement. The most striking finding =
of the study was the high frequency with which C. gattii was identified, wi=
th infections attributable to this species comprising 5/9 cats, 11/22 dogs,=
9/9 horses and 1/1 alpaca, where appropriate testing was conducted. Prelim=
inary molecular genotyping suggested that most of the C. gattii infections =
in domestic animals (9/9 cases) were of the VGII genotype. This contrasts t=
he situation on the eastern seaboard of Australia, where disease attributab=
le to C. gattii is less common and mainly due to the VGI genotype. C. gatti=
i therefore appears to be an important cause of cryptococcosis in Western A=
ustralia.

PMID: 19306217 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1571115/?tool=3Dpubmed
contains the full article for

Can Vet J. 2006 Oct;47(10):1015-7.
Diagnosis and successful treatment of Cryptococcus neoformans variety grubi=
i in a domestic ferret.
Hanley CS, MacWilliams P, Giles S, Par=E9 J.

Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Wisconsin School of Veterina=
ry Medicine, 2015 Linden Drive Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA. chris.hanley@=
toledozoo.org
Abstract
A domestic ferret was presented for episodic regurgitation. Cytologic exami=
nation and culture of an enlarged submandibular lymph node revealed Cryptoc=
occus neoformans variety grubii (serotype A). The ferret was successfully t=
reated with itraconazole. This is the first documented case of Cryptococcus=
neoformans variety grubii in a ferret in the United States.

PMID: 17078253 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]PMCID: PMC1571115Free PMC Arti=
cle

J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2004 Dec 1;225(11):1716-22.
Clinicopathologic features of an unusual outbreak of cryptococcosis in dogs=
, cats, ferrets, and a bird: 38 cases (January to July 2003).
Lester SJ, Kowalewich NJ, Bartlett KH, Krockenberger MB, Fairfax TM, Malik =
R.

Central Laboratory for Veterinarians, 5645 199th St, Langley, BC V3A 1H9, C=
anada.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical and pathologic findings associated with an=
outbreak of cryptococcosis in an unusual geographic location (British Colu=
mbia, Canada). DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 1 pink-fronted cockato=
o, 2 ferrets, 20 cats, and 15 dogs. PROCEDURE: A presumptive diagnosis of c=
ryptococcosis was made on the basis of serologic, histopathologic, or cytol=
ogic findings, and a definitive diagnosis was made on the basis of culture =
or immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: No breed or sex predilections wer=
e detected in affected dogs or cats. Eleven cats had neurologic signs, 7 ha=
d skin lesions, and 5 had respiratory tract signs. None of 17 cats tested s=
erologically for FeLV yielded positive results; 1 of 17 cats yielded positi=
ve results for FIV (western blot). Nine of 15 dogs had neurologic signs, 2 =
had periorbital swellings, and only 3 had respiratory tract signs initially=
. Microbiologic culture in 15 cases yielded 2 isolates of Cryptococcus neof=
ormans var grubii (serotype A) and 13 isolates of C. neoformans var gattii =
(serotype B); all organisms were susceptible to amphotericin B and ketocona=
zole. Serologic testing had sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 98%. CONC=
LUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Serologic titers were beneficial in identif=
ying infection in animals with nonspecific signs, but routine serum biochem=
ical or hematologic parameters were of little value in diagnosis. Most anim=
als had nonspecific CNS signs and represented a diagnostic challenge. Anima=
ls that travel to or live in this region and have nonspecific malaise or un=
usual neurologic signs should be evaluated for cryptococcosis.

PMID: 15626222 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Aust Vet J. 2002 Dec;80(12):749-55.
Cryptococcosis in ferrets: a diverse spectrum of clinical disease.
Malik R, Alderton B, Finlaison D, Krockenberger MB, Karaoglu H, Meyer W, Ma=
rtin P, France MP, McGill J, Lester SJ, O'Brien CR, Love DN.

Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2=
006. R.Malik@vetc.usyd.edu.au
Abstract
Cryptococcosis was diagnosed in seven ferrets (five from Australia; two fro=
m western Canada) displaying a wide range of clinical signs. Two of the fer=
rets lived together. One (5-years-old) had cryptococcal rhinitis and presen=
ted when the infection spread to the nasal bridge. Its sibling developed cr=
yptococcal abscessation of the right retropharyngeal lymph node 12 months l=
ater, soon after developing a severe skin condition. DNA fingerprinting and=
microsatellite analysis demonstrated that the two strains isolated from th=
ese siblings were indistinguishable. Two ferrets (2- to 3-years-old) develo=
ped generalised cryptococcosis: one had primary lower respiratory tract dis=
ease with pneumonia, pleurisy and mediastinal lymph node involvement, while=
in the other a segment of intestine was the primary focus of infection wit=
h subsequent spread to mesenteric lymph nodes, liver and lung. The remainin=
g three ferrets (1.75 to 4-years-old) had localised disease of a distal lim=
b, in one case with spread to the regional lymph node. Cryptococcus bacilli=
sporus (formerly C. neoformans var gattii) accounted for three of the four =
infections in Australian ferrets where the biotype could be determined. The=
Australian ferret with intestinal involvement and the two ferrets from Van=
couver had C. neoformans var grubii infections.

PMID: 12537139 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

1. Aust Vet J. 2000 Mar;78(3):158-9.

Successful treatment of invasive nasal cryptococcosis in a ferret.

Malik R, Martin P, McGill J, Martin A, Love DN.

Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Sydney, New South
Wales.

Invasive cryptococcal rhinitis due to Cryptococcus neoformans var gattii wa=
s
diagnosed in a castrated, 5-year-old, albino ferret with subcutaneous swell=
ing of
the nasal bridge. The diagnosis was based on histology, needle aspirate cyt=
ology
and positive culture on Sabouraud's dextrose agar and birdseed agar. The fe=
rret
was successfully treated using a long course of itraconazole (25 to 33 mg o=
rally
once daily with food) subsequent to surgical debulking of the lesion, using
sequential cryptococcal antigen titre determinations to guide therapy.

PMID: 10860151 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Aust Vet J. 1982 Mar;58(3):124.
Isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans from a ferret.
Lewington JH.

PMID: 7115232 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]




Sukie (not a vet)

Recommended ferret health links:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html
http://www.miamiferret.org/
http://www.ferrethealth.msu.edu/
http://www.ferretcongress.org/
http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml
http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html
all ferret topics:
http://listserv.ferretmailinglist.org/archives/ferret-search.html

"All hail the procrastinators for they shall rule the world tomorrow."
(2010, Steve Crandall)




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