Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Bronchoscopy and lung tests in dogs with canine leishmaniosis
By Ioannis Kavarnos et al.·Published in Pathogens·2022·Companion Animal Clinic (Medicine Unit), School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54627 Τhessaloniki, Greece, CH·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Bronchoscopy and Lung Fine-Needle Aspiration for Antemortem Evaluation of Pulmonary Involvement in Dogs with Naturally Occurring Canine Leishmaniosis
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with naturally occurring leishmaniosis (a disease caused by the Leishmania parasite) were examined for breathing problems, specifically coughing. Out of 31 dogs, 5 were found to have a cough, and bronchoscopy revealed lung issues in 19 of them, including inflammation and secretions. While the parasite was only identified in one dog, many showed signs of lung involvement through various tests. This study suggests that lung problems in dogs with leishmaniosis may be more common than previously thought, and bronchoscopy can help in diagnosing these issues.
People also search for: dog coughing leishmaniosis · canine leishmaniasis lung problems · bronchoscopy for dog cough
Abstract
Clinical manifestations from the lower respiratory tract are rare in canine leishmaniosis (CanL), making bronchoscopy and lung fine-needle aspiration (FNA) seldomly justified. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the involvement of <i>Leishmania infantum</i> in the lungs of dogs with naturally occurring CanL by bronchoscopy and examination of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), bronchial mucosa biopsies, and FNA, using immunodiagnostics. Dogs with relevant concurrent diseases and azotemia were excluded. Cough was detected in 5/31 (16.1%) dogs. Lesions (hyperemia, edema, mucosal granularity, secretions) were identified upon bronchoscopy in 19/31 (61.3%) dogs. The cytology of BALF revealed histiocytic inflammation in 14/31 (45.2%) dogs; the parasite was identified in one dog (3.2%). The immunofluorescence antibody test in BALF was positive in 15/31 (48.4%) dogs. Histopathology of bronchial mucosa and/or adjacent alveoli revealed lesions (mononuclear cell infiltration, fibrosis, edema, thickening of the inter-alveolar septa) in 24/31 (77.4%) dogs, with no <i>Leishmania</i> amastigotes. Positive antigen staining was observed within the cytoplasm of mononuclear cells in immunocytochemistry and immunohistochemistry. Μononuclear cells showed antigenic positivity in bronchial mucosa (27/31; 87.1%), BALF (30/31; 96.8%), and lung FNA (27/31; 87.1%). In conclusion, lungs seem to be affected from CanL more commonly than previously believed, and bronchoscopy allows obtaining valuable samples for antemortem diagnosis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11030365