Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Co-infections with Bordetella bronchiseptica in dogs explained
By Jang, Ji Young et al.·Published in Veterinary immunology and immunopathology·2025·Department of Infectious Disease, South Korea·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Co-infections with Bordetella bronchiseptica in canine: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A review of studies found that nearly half of dogs with kennel cough (canine infectious respiratory disease) also had co-infections with Bordetella bronchiseptica, a common respiratory pathogen. The research showed that co-infections were more prevalent in earlier decades but remain a significant concern today, with other pathogens like Mycoplasma and canine respiratory coronavirus often involved. This highlights the importance of developing vaccines that can target multiple infections at once and improving prevention strategies for kennel cough in dogs.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Bordetella bronchiseptica is a primary pathogen in canine infectious respiratory disease (CIRD), or kennel cough, capable of independently causing respiratory illness and contributing significantly to co-infections with other viral and bacterial agents. Despite its critical role in disease transmission and persistence, the epidemiology of B. bronchiseptica in CIRD remains poorly understood. Limited data on co-infection prevalence and associated risk factors hinder effective management and control of this pathogen. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to clarify the prevalence and risk factors of co-infections with B. bronchiseptica in dogs. METHODS: A comprehensive bibliographic search was conducted across four databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase. Data extraction included the number of co-infected cases among those with B. bronchiseptica, the identified co-infecting pathogens, study period, geographical location, shelter type, and age. RESULTS: From 3994 identified articles, 26 studies were included. The overall prevalence of B. bronchiseptica co-infection was 47 % (95 % CI: 37 %-57 %). Significant differences were observed only in the study period, with co-infection rates higher in the 1900s (77 %) compared to the 2000s (45 %). No significant differences were found for other factors. Frequently co-infecting pathogens included Mycoplasma and canine respiratory coronavirus (CRCoV). CONCLUSION: Co-infections with B. bronchiseptica are common in CIRD, indicating a need for the development of combined vaccines targeting co-infecting pathogens. Furthermore, the establishment of effective prevention and control strategies can be universally applied across different geographical locations, shelter types, and ages. This study provides valuable insights that can inform future research and enhance the overall management and treatment of CIRD in dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39869998/