Eosinophilic Bronchopneumopathy in Dogs

Abstract

Eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy was diagnosed in 23 young dogs. Clinical signs included cough, gagging, and retching in all dogs, dyspnea in 21 dogs (91%), and nasal discharge in 12 dogs (52%). The most common radiographic findings were a moderate to severe bronchointerstitial pattern (68%, 13 of 19 dogs). Bronchoscopic findings included the presence of abundant yellow‐green mucus or mucopurulent material (70%, 16 of 23 dogs) and severe mucosal thickening with an irregular or polypoid appearance (52%, 12 of 23 dogs), with partial airway closure during expiration in 3 dogs (13%). Peripheral blood eosinophilia was noted in 14 of 23 dogs (61%). Inflammatory cells in brush or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytologic preparations comprised more than 50% eosinophils in 14 of 23 dogs (61%), and 20–50% eosinophils in 6 dogs (26%). Eosinophilic infiltration of the bronchial mucosa was observed in biopsies from 19 dogs and was graded as mild (37%, 7 dogs), moderate (32%, 6 dogs), or severe (32%, 6 dogs). The mean serum immunoglobulin A concentration was almost double that of a population of 20 healthy dogs of various breeds. Oral glucocorticoids were administered on alternate days with progressive tapering of the dose; the dosage at maintenance varied between 0.1 and 1.0 mg/kg every other day. No relationship was found between the duration of clinical signs and the maintenance dosage or the cytologic and histopathologic grades.

Influence of age on bronchoscopic findings in healthy beagle dogs

“…BAL was performed as previously described (Clercx et al, 2000). Three aliquots of 15 mL sterile saline solution (0.9%) at 37°C were used.…”

“…A good understanding of the normal structure of the bronchial tree is required if the clinician is to recognise subtle abnormalities and diseases (Kuehn and Hess, 2004). Scoring systems based on predefined macroscopic findings are used to improve objectivity in assessment of the type and severity of bronchial lesions (Clercx et al, 2000).…”

Lung inflammatory responses

“…In allergic reactions, neutrophils, macrophages, lymphocytes, mast cells and eosinophils can all play important roles in causing disease [29,37,53,100]. Mast cells containing granules made up of a mixture of chemical mediators, including histamine, are located in the mucosal and submucosal tissues near small blood vessels and postcapillary venules [29].…”

“…Inappropriate inflammatory responses in the respiratory tract are often associated with allergic responses to antigens [36,37,50,52,81,96]. In allergic reactions, neutrophils, macrophages, lymphocytes, mast cells and eosinophils can all play important roles in causing disease [29,37,53,100].…”

Computed Tomographic Findings in 15 Dogs With Eosinophilic Bronchopneumopathy

“…1 Nomenclature of eosinophilic lung 27 disorders in dogs is inconsistent 2 with this condition also described in the veterinary literature as 28 pulmonary infiltration with eosinophils 3 , pulmonary eosinophilia 4 and eosinophilic pneumonia [2][3][4] . The 29 cause of canine EBP remains unclear, although hypersensitivity to aeroallergens is suspected.…”