Prolonged Incubation Period for Cryptococcus Gattii Infection in Cat, Alaska, USA

A 12-year-old neutered male cat in Alaska was diagnosed with Cryptococcus gattii infection, suggesting an incubation period of over 8 years. The cat, originally from California, showed symptoms in 2010 and was treated for skin conditions before C. gattii was identified in 2011. Despite extensive environmental testing in Alaska, no local source of the fungus was found. The infection likely resulted from exposure in California, with immunosuppression from medication enabling the latent fungi to manifest. This case highlighted the potential for prolonged dormancy of C. gattii in animals.