Cryptococcal granulomas of basal ganglia due to Cryptococcus neoformans in a cat: a case report and literature review

A 3-year-old spayed female domestic short-haired cat presented with a head turning to the left, circling to the right, seizures, and opisthotonos for approximately one month. Neurological examination revealed a deficit in the postural reaction of the left limbs and visual abnormalities. Forensic computed tomography revealed a hyperattenuating round mass of 1.3 cm diameter with a hypoattenuating center in the right hemisphere. Histopathology showed multifocal granuloma lesions with the major mass mostly affecting the right basal ganglia. Cryptococcus neoformans variety grubii molecular type VNI/ST31 was isolated from the cryptococcal granulomas. This report highlights the epidemiological distribution and differential diagnosis of a feline central nervous system cryptococcosis caused by C. neoformans that occurred in an Asian country.