What do we know about Cryptococcus spp. in Portugal?

Abstract

Cryptococcosis is an environmentally acquired mycosis primarily caused by the Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii species complexes. These encapsulated yeasts infect humans and multiple animal hosts. In veterinary medicine their importance has gained recognition in recent decades, and affected animals can act as sentinels of environmental exposure within a One Health/Planetary Health framework (Figure 1). In Europe, reported veterinary cases and environmental isolations have increased, with C. neoformans typically linked to avian guano-contaminated niches and C. gattii associated with arboreal habitats, although both exhibit wide ecological plasticity. In Portugal, knowledge remains fragmented across isolated reports, and the absence of coordinated surveillance risks underrecognition and delayed diagnosis. To address this gap, we integrate a PRISMA-compliant review (2000–2025) with a 13-year veterinary laboratory series (2013–2025) to delineate host, spatial and seasonal patterns and to inform priorities for molecular typing, antifungal susceptibility testing, and coordinated surveillance.