General information
Cryptococcus is a yeast and mainly found in bird faeces and contaminated soil and dust. Cryptococci are potential causative agents of systemic infections in humans, domestic and wild animals. Direct transmission from vertebrates to humans has not yet been observed. Clinical disease occurs more frequently in cats than in dogs. It is possible to differentiate between nasal, central nervous, cutaneous or systemic forms of the disease. In dogs, nasal or cutaneous infection is less common; instead, systemic or central nervous signs are more frequently seen. In both species, the lungs can be affected as well. As Cryptococcus neoformans infection can lead to serious diseases, early detection is important.