A criptococose é uma micose sistêmica de distribuição mundial que afeta humanos e animais. Em caninos, a
enfermidade ocorre principalmente no sistema nervoso central e atinge freqüentemente as leptomeninges. O caso aqui relatado
demonstrou clinicamente ataxia, quedas, tremores musculares e desequilÃbrio. Ao exame macroscópico do encéfalo, havia
espessamento das leptomeninges e dilatação dos ventrÃculos laterais, terceiro e quarto ventrÃculos. Os achados histológicos
incluÃram leptomeningite e plexo-coroidite granulomatosa difusa e moderada, com grande quantidade de blastoconÃdios
redondos ou ovais, com cápsula espessa e positivas às colorações de mucicarmina de Mayer, ácido periódico de Schiff (PAS)
e prata metanamina de Grocott. Dados relativos à patologia, sinais clÃnicos e possÃveis fontes de infecção são discutidos.
Cryptococcosis is a systemic mycosis that affects humans and animals worldwidely. In dogs, the disease typically
affects the central nervous system with involvement of leptomeninges. In this case, the clinical findings were ataxia, seizures,
muscle tremors and loss of equilibrium. Thickening of leptomeninges and dilation of the lateral, third and fourth ventricles
were observed in the macroscopic examination of the brain. Histological findings included diffuse moderate granulomatous
leptomeningitis and choroiditis. In association with the inflammatory lesions, there were large numbers of round and oval
blastoconidia with thick capsule and stainable with Mayer’s mucicarmine, periodic acid Schiff (PAS) and by Grocott’s methenamine
silver. Data related to pathology, clinical signs and possible method of infection are presented and discussed.
