Bovine cryptococcal meningoencephalitis

Cryptococcal meningitis and encephalitis is reported in a 5-year-old bull. The clinical signs included multifocal neurological deficits manifested by hypermetria, ataxia, depression, circling, impaired vision, head pressing, low head carriage, wide-based stance, and falling to the side or backwards. At necropsy, 6 cavities with a gelatinous content were observed in the brain and brain stem, and the meninges were thickened and off white. Numerous yeasts, with a nonstaining capsule, and associated mild inflammatory reaction were observed histologically. Specimens for culture were not collected at necropsy, but the identity of the yeast in tissue sections as Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii was supported by immunohistochemistry.