Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Detecting Bordetella bronchiseptica in dogs with long-term cough
By Atencia, S et al.·Published in Veterinary research communications·2025·Internal Medicine Department, Spain·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Real-time PCR versus culture of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid for detecting Bordetella bronchiseptica in dogs with persistent lower respiratory signs: a retrospective study of 23 cases.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with ongoing breathing problems were tested for Bordetella bronchiseptica, a common respiratory infection, using two methods: a quick DNA test (PCR) and a traditional culture test. Out of 23 dogs that tested positive for the infection, 9 had negative culture results, meaning the culture method missed the infection in those cases. Most of these dogs had already been treated with antibiotics before testing, and it took about 30 days for most to start feeling better. This study suggests that using both testing methods together can give a clearer picture of whether a dog has an active infection, helping vets make better treatment decisions.
People also search for: dog coughing treatment · Bordetella bronchiseptica symptoms in dogs · dog respiratory infection antibiotics
Abstract
Bordetella bronchiseptica (Bb) is a frequent pathogen in dogs and a component of the Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC). However, it can also be detected in the lower respiratory tract of healthy animals, complicating its interpretation in clinical settings. This retrospective study compared the detection of Bb in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples using real-time PCR versus bacterial culture in dogs referred for persistent lower respiratory tract signs to a referral hospital in Spain between 2018 and 2024. A total of 143 BALF samples were analyzed; 23 dogs tested positive for Bb by at least one method and were included in the clinical analysis. Real-time PCR identified Bb in 16.1% (23/143) of cases (95% CI:10.4-23.1%). Among these, 40% (9/23) had negative culture results. Co-infections with Mycoplasma spp. or Mycoplasma cynos were detected in 30% (7/23) of cases, and 26% (6/23) had positive cultures for other bacteria. Most dogs (91% (21/23)) had received antibiotics prior to BALF collection. The median time to clinical remission was 30 days. While real-time PCR showed a higher detection rate than culture, its results must be interpreted cautiously. PCR may amplify DNA from non-viable organisms or colonizers, and thus does not confirm active infection. Our findings underscore the need to integrate molecular, microbiological, and clinical data to reach an accurate diagnosis and avoid inappropriate antimicrobial use. Combining PCR and culture may enhance diagnostic accuracy, as culture alone would have failed to detect Bb in 40% of PCR positive dogs.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40663178/