Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Presumptive Development of Fibrotic Lung Disease Fromand Post-infectious Bronchiolitis Obliterans in a Dog.
- Journal:
- Frontiers in veterinary science
- Year:
- 2019
- Authors:
- Jaffey, Jared A et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery · United States
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 7-month-old Miniature Poodle from a pet store started coughing and had trouble breathing, which suggested an infection. Although treatment with antibiotics helped a bit, the dog's symptoms didn't fully go away, so at 9 months old, a part of the lung was surgically removed to address a possible infection. Over the next five years, the dog continued to have breathing problems, and by the time it was 8 years old, a post-mortem exam showed severe scarring in the lungs. This scarring was likely caused by a condition called post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans (PIBO), which is not commonly recognized in dogs but can lead to serious lung issues. Unfortunately, the treatments did not stop the progression of the lung disease.
Abstract
A 7-month-old Miniature Poodle acquired from a pet store developed cough and subsequently respiratory distress compatible withinfection. Partial but incomplete resolution of clinical signs and thoracic radiographic/computed tomographic imaging lesions were noted with use of susceptibility-guided antimicrobials. Additionally, a concern for an infectious nidus led to left cranial lung lobectomy at 9 months of age. Histopathology predominantly revealed polypoid and constrictive bronchiolitis obliterans (i.e., small airway disease). Intermittent antimicrobial administration over the next 5 years failed to blunt progressive clinical signs. At 8 years, necropsy confirmed severe airway-centered interstitial fibrosis. This pattern of fibrosis was strongly suggestive of underlying small airway disease as the trigger. In retrospect, post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans (PIBO), a syndrome in young children caused by pulmonary infections but not yet recognized in pet dogs, likely initiated a pathway of fibrosis in this dog. In dogs with risk factors for community-acquired pathogens such as, PIBO is a differential diagnosis with development of severe, persistent respiratory signs incompletely responsive to appropriate antimicrobials. Untreated PIBO may lead to airway-centered interstitial fibrosis. Future study is required to determine if targeted therapy of PIBO could alter the course of end-stage pulmonary fibrosis.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31649945/