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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 36(2)

Pneumocystis canis pneumonia in dogs

Elizabeth Ralph A , George Reppas B , Catriona Halliday C , Mark Krockenberger D and Richard Malik E F
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Animal Referral Hospital, 250 Parramatta Road, Homebush West, NSW 2140, Australia

B Vetnostics, 60 Waterloo Road, North Ryde, NSW 2113, Australia

C Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, ICPMR, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia

D Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia

E Centre for Veterinary Education, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia

F Corresponding author. Email: Richard.Malik@sydney.edu.au

Microbiology Australia 36(2) 79-82 https://doi.org/10.1071/MA15026
Published: 17 March 2015

Abstract

Pneumocystis canis is a potential cause of life-threatening interstitial fungal pneumonia in dogs. It is seen almost exclusively in two canine breeds, miniature Dachshunds and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS)1. Historically, Australian veterinarians had a key role in the documentation of this entity and its conspicuous breed associations2–4. Affected Dachshunds and CKCS are likely to have an inherited immunodeficiency that predisposes them to infection with this commensal organism of the respiratory tract and pharynx1,2,5sup>,6. A high index of suspicion is required to make a timely diagnosis and save affected patients, as these dogs cope poorly with anaesthesia and other measures to procure the specimens required to make a definitive diagnosis. Possible co-infection with Bordetella bronchiseptica must be considered when determining antimicrobial strategies. Affected dogs occasionally have a previous or concurrent history of generalised demodicosis5,7,8. With early intervention, affected dogs can be saved, although some require life-long therapy to prevent recurrence. The future challenge is to develop fast molecular techniques to diagnose P. canis† pneumonia (PCP)7,9 and to determine the underlying immune defect in over-represented breeds through the rapidly advancing field of canine genomics10.


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