Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Shih Tzu puppy with immune deficiency and Pneumocystis pneumonia
By Merrill, Kristen et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2021·Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: X-linked CD40 ligand deficiency in a 1-year-old male Shih Tzu with secondary Pneumocystis pneumonia.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 1-year-old male Shih Tzu was brought to the vet because he was having trouble breathing, losing weight, and showing signs of increased effort to breathe over the past three months. Despite initial treatments, his condition didn't improve until he was diagnosed with Pneumocystis pneumonia, a serious lung infection. After an 8-week treatment with antibiotics and additional medications to reduce inflammation and prevent blood clots, his breathing problems resolved, and he regained his health. Genetic testing revealed he had an X-linked CD40 ligand deficiency, which contributed to his illness.
People also search for: Shih Tzu breathing problems · Pneumocystis pneumonia treatment in dogs · dog weight loss and respiratory issues
Abstract
An approximately 1-year-old male intact Shih Tzu dog was referred to a tertiary facility with a history of progressive tachypnea, increased respiratory effort, and weight loss over a 3-month period that failed to improve with empirical antimicrobial treatment. Upon completion of a comprehensive respiratory evaluation, the dog was diagnosed with severe Pneumocystis pneumonia and secondary pulmonary hypertension. Clinical signs resolved and disease resolution was confirmed after completion of an 8-week course of trimethoprim-sulfonamide, 4-week tapering dose of prednisone to decrease an inflammatory response secondary to acute die-off of organisms, a 2-week course of clopidogrel to prevent clot formation, and a 2-week course of a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor to treat pulmonary hypertension. Immunodiagnostic testing and genetic sequencing were performed to evaluate for potential immunodeficiency as an underlying cause for the development Pneumocystis pneumonia, and identified an X-linked CD40 ligand deficiency.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33274522/