<i>Pneumocystis Carinii</i> Pneumonia in Dogs -a Diagnostic Challenge

Sukura, Antti; Saari, Seppo; Järvinen, Anna‐Kaisa; Olsson, Mats Joakim Robert; Kärkkäinen, Merja; Ilvesniemi, Timo

doi:10.1177/104063879600800124

Cited by 33 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 24 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Affected patients, despite the severity of their pulmonary pathology, are all reported to be afebrile on presentation which is consistent with the findings in the dog reported here . Radiographically, Pneumocystis causes pulmonary changes that are indistinguishable from other pulmonary infections, and these changes include diffuse interstitial pneumonia, reticular patterns, peribronchial opacities, and an alveolar pattern with air bronchograms . Right‐sided heart disease can develop as a consequence of pulmonary hypertension secondary to alveolocapillary blockage from organism proliferation and the secondary inflammatory response .…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

“…Pneumocystis , once classified as a protozoal organism, is an opportunistic extracellular fungus that can cause subclinical to severe, life‐threatening pneumonia in susceptible patients. Pneumocystis pneumonia has been documented in immunocompromised patients of several species including humans, horses, foals, goats, pigs, and dogs, and is an important pathogen affecting AIDS patients . Several case reports in the veterinary literature have been limited to small numbers of dogs; Miniature Dachshunds and King Charles Cavalier Spaniels appear to be overrepresented .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…PCR on BAL fluid represents a relatively noninvasive method by which to determine a definitive antemortem diagnosis. Although serologic testing is possible, it is not a reliable method to diagnose Pneumocystis due to possible immunodeficiency …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Diagnosis of pneumocystis pneumonia in a 2‐year‐old King Charles Cavalier Spaniel using the polymerase chain reaction

Okine¹,

Chapman

Hostutler³

et al. 2018

Veterinary Clinical Pathol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A 2-year-old, female spayed, King Charles Cavalier Spaniel was presented for evaluation of dyspnea, inappetence, and lethargy. Thoracic radiographs revealed a moderate diffuse interstitial lung pattern affecting the perihilar and caudodorsal lung fields, and an echocardiogram revealed severe pulmonary hypertension. A bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed, and cytology revealed mixed inflammation with cysts and trophozoites consistent with Pneumocystis. Pneumocystis infection was later confirmed with PCR. To the author's knowledge, this report represents the first case of canine pneumocystis pneumonia diagnosed antemortem with PCR from a BAL sample. Pneumocystis represents an important, but uncommon cause of afebrile pneumonia in immunosuppressed dogs.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Diagnosis of pneumocystis pneumonia in a 2‐year‐old King Charles Cavalier Spaniel using the polymerase chain reaction

Okine¹,

Chapman

Hostutler³

et al. 2018

Veterinary Clinical Pathol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…8,21 This parasite is a serious opportunistic pathogen in people affected with AIDS. 20 Pneumocystosis affects a number of species, and in the dog, it is most commonly described in the miniature dachshund. 10 The speculation is that pneumocystosis in the miniature dachshund is a result of an immunodeficiency, 5 more specifically due to both a Band T-cell deficiency.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Common Variable Immunodeficiency in Miniature Dachshunds Affected with Pneumonocystis Carinii Pneumonia

Lobetti

2000

J VET Diagn Invest

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. Seven miniature dachshunds, all under the age of 1 year, were presented with polypnea, tachypnea, and exercise intolerance as a result of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, which was diagnosed on transtracheal aspirate cytology. In all of the dogs, historical and clinical signs were suggestive of immune incompetence. Immunological studies undertaken were leukogram parameters, serum immunoglobulin fraction quantification, lymphocyte transformation assay. CD3 and CD79a lymphocyte markers on lymphoid tissue, and anti-canine immunoglobulin G immunoperoxidase staining. The immunological studies showed hypogammaglobulinemia, deficiency of serum immunoglobulins A, G, and M, decreased lymphocyte transformation response to phytohemagglutinin and pokeweed mitogens and absence of B lymphocytes with presence of T lymphocytes in the lymphoid tissue stained with CD3 and CD79a lymphocyte markers. The preceding findings suggest that P. carinii pneumonia occurring in the miniature dachshund is a result of both a T-and B-cell deficiency. This presentation is not the classic primary severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome but rather combined variable immunodeficiency, which has been well documented in humans but never in the dog.Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), also known as acquired or adult onset hypogammaglobulinemia, is a primary immunodeficiency disease in which B lymphocytes produce little or no antibody, together with normal or decreased numbers of B lymphocytes. 14 The disease is characterized by a reduction or complete absence of immunoglobulins. 24 CVID has not been reported in the dog.Pneumocystis carinii is an ubiquitous extracellular parasite of both animals and humans. 1,8 It is a saprophyte of low virulence, being classified as a protozoan 8 but more recently as being related to the fungi. 4 In normal animals, the parasite can be present in low numbers in the pulmonary alveoli and is associated with pneumonia and respiratory distress only when the immune system is compromized. 8,21 This parasite is a serious opportunistic pathogen in people affected with AIDS. 20 Pneumocystosis affects a number of species, and in the dog, it is most commonly described in the miniature dachshund. 10 The speculation is that pneumocystosis in the miniature dachshund is a result of an immunodeficiency, 5 more specifically due to both a Band T-cell deficiency. 12,13 In the miniature dachshund, the typical signalment is a young animal, usually under 1 year of age, that is presented with a history of weight loss, respiratory difficulty, and exercise intolerance. On clinical examination, weight loss, tachypnea, various degrees of dyspnea, and increased lung sounds Received for publication September 29, 1998. are evident. 10,13 In this study, P. carinii pneumonia was diagnosed in all dogs by transtracheal aspirate cytology and was confirmed at postmortem in the dogs that died. This study investigated the leukogram parameters, immunoglobulin fraction quantification, lymphocyte transformation assay, CD3 and CD79a lymphocyte...

show abstract

“…Most of these dogs showed decreased serum IgG concentrations compared with healthy controls. To our knowledge, there have been five cases of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels affected with P. carinii pneumonia [1,2,8,10]. In these reports, Ramsey et al suggested that there may also exist a certain breed-specific factor in this breed [8].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia in a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Hagiwara

Fujiwara

Takai

et al. 2001

The Journal of Veterinary Medical Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

ABSTRACT. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia was diagnosed by postmortem examination of a one-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with four-week history of dyspnea. Cytologic and histologic examination of lung tissues revealed numerous P. carinii trophozoites and cysts, and P. carinii specific DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction. The dog showed hypogammagloblinemia and extremely low levels of serum IgG. It was considered that P. carinii pneumonia in this case was associated with an immunodeficient condition which has already been reported in Miniature Dachshunds. Pneumocystis carinii (P. carinii) is an organism of uncertain taxonomy. It was thought to be a protozoan but has recently been classified as a fungus. It affects both animals and humans, although infections are usually subclinical. It can cause severe or sometimes fatal pneumonia especially in immunosuppressed hosts such as human patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. In dogs, Pneumocystis pneumonia has been most commonly described in Miniature Dachshunds [3,4,6,7]. Immunological studies have revealed that Pneumocystis pneumonia is associated with immunodeficiency in this breed [7]. This is a first report which describes a case of P.carinii pneumonia in a young Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in Japan.A one-year-old male Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, weighing 7.3 kg, presented at the Veterinary Medical Center of the University of Tokyo with a four-week history of anorexia, coughing and respiratory distress. Treatment with antibiotics and aminophylline by the referring veterinarian had failed. Physical examination revealed tachypnea, dyspnea and cyanosis. Rectal temperature was normal and the submandibular lymph nodes were slightly enlarged. On thoracic auscultation, harsh lung sounds were heard over all lung fields without cardiac murmur. Thoracic radiography showed severe generalized interstitial and alveolar patterns in all lung lobes (Fig. 1). The cardiac silhouette was normal in size and shape. Abnormalities of hematological examinations included mildly increased packed cell volume (51%), high WBC count (31.9 × 10 3 /µl) and neutrophilia (27.0 × 10 3 /µl) with increased nonsegmented neutrophiles. The lymphocyte count was within normal range (2.4 × 10 3 /µl), and total plasma protein concentration was slightly high (9.2 g/dl). Routine plasma biochemical profiles revealed increased activities of alkaline phosphatase (910 IU) and alanine aminotransferase (369 IU). Antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii species were not detected by latex-agglutination assay (Eiken, Tokyo, Japan). Serum protein revealed hypogammaglobulinemia by electrophoresis and the IgG and IgM concentration was determined as 0.72 mg/ml (reference range: 15 ± 5 mg/ml) and 2.3 mg/ml (reference range: 1.5 ± 0.5 mg/ml) [9] by quantitative sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits (Bethyl, Montgomery, TX). Treatment with antibiotics (cefazolin sodium and amikacin sulfate), bronchodilator (aminophylline) and nebulization (gentamicin sulfate with sterile saline...

show abstract

Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia in Dogs -a Diagnostic Challenge

Cited by 33 publications

References 24 publications

Diagnosis of pneumocystis pneumonia in a 2‐year‐old King Charles Cavalier Spaniel using the polymerase chain reaction

Diagnosis of pneumocystis pneumonia in a 2‐year‐old King Charles Cavalier Spaniel using the polymerase chain reaction

Common Variable Immunodeficiency in Miniature Dachshunds Affected with Pneumonocystis Carinii Pneumonia

Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia in a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About