Bordetella bronchisepticainfection in pediatric lung transplant recipients

Abstract

Bordetella bronchiseptica are small, pleomorphic Gram-negative coccobacilli which are commensal organisms in the upper respiratory tract of many wild and domestic animals ('kennel cough' in dogs). While it is common for health care providers to ask about exposure to ill family/friends, most do not routinely inquire about the health or immunization status of household pets. We report two cases of B. bronchiseptica pneumonia in lung transplant recipients [cystic fibrosis (CF); ages 10 and 15 yr; one male] who contracted B. bronchiseptica from pet dogs. We compared their course and outcome to four children (two CF, one congenital heart disease and one Duchenne's muscular dystrophy; four males, age range 6 months to 14 yr) with B. bronchiseptica cultured from the respiratory tract. Two of the four patients also acquired their illnesses from pet dogs and two from unknown sources. One lung transplant recipient expired from progressive respiratory failure. We conclude that B. bronchiseptica can cause serious infections in both immunosuppressed and immunocompetent children. We speculate that a detailed history of exposure to ill pets (particularly dogs), and the immunization status of all pets should be included in the routine evaluation of all pediatric transplant recipients.

Molecular Pathogenesis, Epidemiology, and Clinical Manifestations of Respiratory Infections Due toBordetella pertussisand OtherBordetellaSubspecies

“…Subsequently there have been many additional case reports, and these have most recently been summarized by Ner et al (587). In 1910 McGowan studied 13 laboratory workers exposed to various animals with B. bronchiseptica infections (511).…”

Infection Prevention and Control Guideline for Cystic Fibrosis: 2013 Update

“…[277][278][279][280][281] Following lung transplantation, Bordetella bronchiseptica pneumonia developed in 2 children with CF who acquired this pathogen from ill pet dogs, and 1 child died. [278][279][280] B. bronchiseptica was also detected in the respiratory tract of a child with CF who acquired this organism from an ill kitten, and this child had no adverse effects following treatment. 280 The LES of P. aeruginosa was transmitted from a 54-year-old man with CF to his pet cat; the cat developed respiratory symptoms.…”

Comparative Analyses of a Cystic Fibrosis Isolate of Bordetella bronchiseptica Reveal Differences in Important Pathogenic Phenotypes

“…Since B. bronchiseptica is usually not suspected in humans, it is likely that the incidence of B. bronchiseptica-induced illness is underestimated. Several recent reports have demonstrated the isolation of B. bronchiseptica from cystic fibrosis (CF) patients (25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31). Zoonotic transmission from family pets exhibiting an acute respiratory illness was hypothesized in many of these cases.…”