Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Bordetella bronchiseptica infection in pediatric lung transplant recipients.
- Journal:
- Pediatric transplantation
- Year:
- 2003
- Authors:
- Ner, Zarah et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Pediatrics · United States
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
This study looked at two young lung transplant recipients, ages 10 and 15, who developed pneumonia caused by a bacteria called Bordetella bronchiseptica, which is often linked to kennel cough in dogs. Both children had cystic fibrosis, a condition that affects the lungs, and they contracted the infection from their pet dogs. The researchers also compared these cases to four other children with similar infections, two of whom also got the bacteria from their pets. Unfortunately, one of the lung transplant recipients passed away due to worsening breathing problems. The study suggests that it's important for doctors to ask about pets and their health when evaluating children who have had organ transplants, as pets can be a source of serious infections.
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.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14738306/