Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Detecting Angiostrongylus vasorum in Belgian dogs with cough using
By Canonne, A-M et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2016·Department of Clinical Sciences·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Detection of Angiostrongylus vasorum by quantitative PCR in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in Belgian dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of young adult dogs in Belgium were brought in for coughing and were diagnosed with a lung infection caused by a parasite called Angiostrongylus vasorum. The diagnosis was confirmed using a special test on fluid taken from their lungs, which showed the presence of the parasite. In total, seven dogs were identified with this infection over a year, highlighting a previously unrecognized issue in the area. Treatment details weren't specified, but recognizing this condition is important for veterinarians when evaluating coughing dogs in Belgium.
People also search for: dog coughing Belgium · Angiostrongylus vasorum symptoms · dog lung infection treatment
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To describe Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in a series of clinical cases over a 12-month period, report the use of quantitative PCR on broncho-alveolar lavage fluid and investigate the -possibility of previously undiagnosed angiostrongylosis in a retrospective cohort of coughing and healthy dogs. METHODS: Pulmonary angiostrongylosis was diagnosed based on compatible clinical signs and positive quantitative PCR on broncho-alveolar lavage fluid and/or positive Baermann examination. Quantitative PCR was also performed retrospectively on broncho-alveolar lavage fluid from 65 dogs (55 coughing and 10 healthy dogs), examined between 2008 and 2014; results of Baermann examination were also available in 33 dogs. RESULTS: Seven young adult dogs from Southeastern Belgium with respiratory clinical signs were diagnosed with angiostrongylosis between March 2013 and April 2014. Positive broncho-alveolar lavage fluid quantitative PCR results and positive Baermann examination were obtained in 5/5 and 2/5 dogs, respectively. In the remaining two dogs, only Baermann analysis was performed. Among the retrospective cohorts, only one broncho-alveolar lavage fluid from a coughing dog was quantitative PCR-positive whereas all faecal samples were negative. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Until recently, canine angiostrongylosis was not reported in Belgium. It should now be included in the differential diagnosis of coughing Belgian dogs. Identification of affected dogs may be aided by quantitative PCR on broncho-alveolar lavage fluid.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26603509/