Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Systemic acanthamoebiasis with distemper causes death in dogs
By Maria T.S. Frade et al.·Published in Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira·2015·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Systemic acanthamoebiasis associated with canine distemper in dogs in the semiarid region of Paraíba, Brazil
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Three dogs in Brazil developed serious health issues after being infected with both canine distemper and a type of free-living amoeba called Acanthamoeba. They showed worsening neurological and breathing problems, leading to death within just two to twenty days. The dogs had severe damage in multiple organs, including the lungs and brain, with signs of infection and inflammation. Unfortunately, despite the diagnosis and understanding of the infections, the outcome was fatal for all three dogs.
People also search for: dog respiratory problems · canine distemper symptoms · Acanthamoeba infection in dogs
Abstract
Infections by free-living amoebae can cause systemic disease in animals and humans. We describe the epidemiological, clinical and pathological aspects of disseminated acanthamoebiasis associated with canine distemper in three dogs of the semiarid region of Paraíba, Northeastern Brazil. Affected dogs developed progressive neurological and respiratory signs that progressed to death within in two to 20 days. Gross lesions were irregular and with yellow-reddish nodules randomly distributed in the lungs, heart, kidneys, spleen, lymph nodes, adrenals, and intestine. One dog had foci of malacia in the parietal cortex and another one in nucleus of brain basis. Histologically, pyogranulomas with areas of necrosis and hemorrhage in all organs affected were observed, associated with myriads of intralesional amoebic trophozoites. All three cases were concomitant canine distemper, that possibly triggered immunosuppression in the dogs. The diagnosis was performed through microscopic findings of infection by free-living amoebae and confirmed Acanthamoeba sp. by immunohistochemistry
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-736X2015000200011