Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in foals.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1994
- Authors:
- Ewing, P J et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Veterinary Pathology
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
Three foals were diagnosed with a lung infection caused by a tiny organism called Pneumocystis carinii. In two of the foals, the diagnosis was confirmed by examining lung tissue under a microscope. In one foal, doctors found the organism in a sample taken from the lungs, and this foal received treatment that worked well. While most diagnoses are usually made after an animal has passed away, checking lung fluid can sometimes help identify the problem earlier and start the right treatment sooner. In this case, the treatment was successful for the foal that was treated.
Abstract
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia was diagnosed in 3 foals. In 2 foals (No. 1 and 2), diagnosis was by histologic evaluation of pulmonary tissue. On retrospective evaluation, P carinii cysts were found on sediment smears of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in 1 foal (No. 1). A different foal (No. 3) was diagnosed as having pneumocytosis by finding P carinii cysts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and was treated successfully. Definitive diagnosis of pneumocytosis in animals is usually made at necropsy. However, careful cytologic evaluation in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid sediment can provide a diagnosis in some cases, allowing for initiation of appropriate treatment.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8188515/