Pulmonary fibrosis in a dog as a sequela of infection with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2? A case report

Abstract

Background Interstitial lung disease is a heterogeneous group of conditions characterized by severe radiographic changes and clinicopathological findings. However, in the vast majority of cases, the cause remains unknown. Case description In the present study, we reported the clinical case of a 3 years old female Bull Terrier presented in October 2020 to the Advanced Diagnostic Imaging Department of the Turin Veterinary Teaching Hospital with a progressive pulmonary illness characterized by dyspnea, exercise intolerance, and a diffuse and severe pulmonary interstitial pattern at imaging investigations. Considering the clinical findings, the dog was included in a serological survey for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in companion animals, showing positive results. Due to the further clinical worsening, the owners opted for euthanasia. At necroscopy, dog showed severe and chronic bronchopneumonia compatible with a Canine Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and with serological features linked to a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusions The comparison of these lesions with those reported in humans affected by Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) supports the hypothesis that these findings may be attributable to the post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a dog with breed predisposition to Canine Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (CIPF), although direct evidence of SARS-CoV-2 by molecular or antigenic approaches remained unsolved.

SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in dogs and cats is associated with contact to COVID‐19‐positive household members

“…Mild clinical signs have been reported in cats after experimental infection, whereas dogs did not show any clinical signs. Some case reports describe clinical symptoms in dogs and cats with SARS‐CoV‐2, mostly from the respiratory and gastro‐intestinal tract (Miró et al., 2021 ; Colitti et al., 2022 ). In our HH study, about one‐third of owners reported clinical signs in their pets, but this was not associated with the presence of viral RNA and/or antibodies against SARS‐CoV‐2.…”

Radiographic lung congestion scores in dogs with acute congestive heart failure caused by myxomatous mitral valve disease

“…Cardiogenic pulmonary edema (CPE) in the dog is characterized by acute respiratory distress with radiographic evidence of lung infiltrates that resolve with the administration of a diuretic 1,2 . Consideration of etiologies that are associated with transient interstitial to alveolar lung pattern in addition to CPE, include but are not limited to, non‐CPE, pulmonary hypertension, pneumonia, and lung contusion 2‐17 . Distinguishing CPE from other causes of abnormal lung patterns on thoracic radiographs is challenging.…”

“…etiologies that are associated with transient interstitial to alveolar lung pattern in addition to CPE, include but are not limited to, non-CPE, pulmonary hypertension, pneumonia, and lung contusion. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] Distinguishing CPE from other causes of abnormal lung patterns on thoracic radiographs is challenging. CPE often has accompanying lobar pulmonary vein dilation reflecting venous hypertension but interpretation could be confounded by recent administration of loop diuretics.…”

SARS-CoV-2 and Companion Animals: Sources of Information and Communication Campaign during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy

“…Indeed, the early human cases of SARS-CoV-2 have been linked back to strict contacts with wildlife in a market in Wuhan [ 20 ]; however, the animal reservoir of this virus is still uncertain, with bats and pangolins suspected to be the most probable candidates [ 21 ]. Neutralizing antibodies in dogs (2.3–3.3%) and cats (5.8–16.2%) living in close contact with SARS-CoV-2-positive humans in geographic areas severely affected by COVID-19 were described in Italian studies [ 10 , 22 ]. Furthermore, cases of mild or severe respiratory disease and asymptomatic infections have also been detected in Italian household cats and dogs [ 22 , 23 , 24 ].…”

“…Neutralizing antibodies in dogs (2.3–3.3%) and cats (5.8–16.2%) living in close contact with SARS-CoV-2-positive humans in geographic areas severely affected by COVID-19 were described in Italian studies [ 10 , 22 ]. Furthermore, cases of mild or severe respiratory disease and asymptomatic infections have also been detected in Italian household cats and dogs [ 22 , 23 , 24 ]. However, evidence of infection by SARS-CoV-2 has not always been found in Italian pet animals [ 10 ].…”