In these feline cases, which pathogen is commonly considered in nasal disease differential diagnoses?

• A. Cryptococcus
• B. Histoplasma
• C. Aspergillus
• D. Coccidioides

Answer: (A)

In cats with chronic nasal disease, cryptococcosis is the most commonly considered fungal cause. These Cryptococcus species readily infect the nasal cavity and sinuses after inhalation, producing persistent nasal discharge, sneezing, facial swelling, and sometimes nasal planum ulcers. This makes cryptococcosis the leading fungal differential for feline nasal disease. The other fungi can cause nasal or systemic infections, but in cats they are far less typical as primary sino-nasal pathogens (Aspergillus is more common in dogs; Histoplasma and Coccidioides often present with disseminated disease rather than isolated feline nasal infection).