Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with chest wall pus infection caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica
By Wray S et al.Ā·2025Ā·Division of Hospital Medicine, United StatesĀ·View original on Europe PMC ā
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Original publication title: B. Bronchiseptica empyema necessitans, a case report.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 60-year-old female dog trainer noticed a lesion on her right chest wall and was diagnosed with a serious condition called empyema necessitans, where pus builds up in the pleural cavity and extends into the chest wall. Tests revealed that the cause was Bordetella bronchiseptica, a bacteria typically associated with kennel cough in dogs. After trying several antibiotics without success, she was treated with a six-week course of oral moxifloxacin and underwent a surgical procedure called a Clagett window to help drain the infection. This combination of treatments ultimately helped her recover from the infection.
People also search for: dog cough Bordetella bronchiseptica Ā· empyema in dogs treatment Ā· chest wall infection in dogs
Abstract
<h4>Background</h4>Empyema necessitans is an uncommon complication of an empyema, where pus in the pleural cavity extends into the chest wall. Both medical and surgical management are required. Here we have identified the first reported case of empyema necessitans caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica.<h4>Case presentation</h4>A 60-year-old female dog trainer initially presented with a right chest wall lesion. Imaging showed a right-sided empyema and chest wall fistulization. Multiple Gram stains and cultures isolated Bordetella bronchiseptica. After several courses of antibiotics, imaging showed a chronic pleural collection with communication to a chest wall gas-fluid collection resembling empyema necessitans. Culture re-demonstrated Bordetella bronchiseptica. She was given a six-week course of oral moxifloxacin and underwent a Clagett window.<h4>Conclusions</h4>While Bordetella bronchiseptica has been previously exclusive to animals, it is an emerging zoonosis. Empyema necessitans because of repeated animal exposure is an unusual complication that had yet to be seen with this microorganism.
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Search related cases āOriginal publication on Europe PMC: https://europepmc.org/article/MED/40346537