Pneumocystis carinii in the miniature dachshund: Case report and literature review

Abstract

This article reviews Pneumocystis carinii and presents four cases in the miniature dachshund. The cases presented with hyperpnoea, tachypnoea and exercise intolerance. There were also clinical signs suggestive of immune incompetence in all the dogs. P carinii pneumonia was diagnosed in all four cases on transtracheal aspirate cytology. Immunological studies showed low globulin levels on serum electrophoresis, decreased lymphoblast transformation response (in the two cases that were tested) and a deficiency of immunoglobulins A, G and M. Light and electron microscopy as well as anti-canine immunoglobulin G immunoperoxidase staining studies were performed on one case which had died because of the disease. From these four cases, it appears that P carinii pneumonia in the miniature dachshund may be the result of an immunodeficiency. It does not, however, appear to be a classic primary severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome as the dogs appeared to respond to treatment, did not show growth failure and did not manifest overwhelming commensurate bacterial infections.

Common Variable Immunodeficiency in Miniature Dachshunds Affected with Pneumonocystis Carinii Pneumonia

“…On clinical examination, weight loss, tachypnea, various degrees of dyspnea, and increased lung sounds Received for publication September 29, 1998. are evident. 10,13 In this study, P. carinii pneumonia was diagnosed in all dogs by transtracheal aspirate cytology and was confirmed at postmortem in the dogs that died. This study investigated the leukogram parameters, immunoglobulin fraction quantification, lymphocyte transformation assay, CD3 and CD79a lymphocyte markers on lymphoid tissue, and anti-canine immunoglobulin G immune peroxidase staining in 7 miniature dachshunds with P. carinii infection.…”

“…On clinical examination, weight loss, tachypnea, various degrees of dyspnea, and increased lung sounds are evident. 10,13 In this study, P. carinii pneumonia was diagnosed in all dogs by transtracheal aspirate cytology and was confirmed at postmortem in the dogs that died.…”

“…10 The speculation is that pneumocystosis in the miniature dachshund is a result of an immunodeficiency, 5 more specifically due to both a Band T-cell deficiency. 12,13 In the miniature dachshund, the typical signalment is a young animal, usually under 1 year of age, that is presented with a history of weight loss, respiratory difficulty, and exercise intolerance. On clinical examination, weight loss, tachypnea, various degrees of dyspnea, and increased lung sounds are evident.…”

Abnormal Findings in Haemograms of Dachshund Puppies: Presumptive (Immunodeficiency) Familial Disease

“…It is probable that Pneumocystis carinii infection in these cases was the result of an immunodeficiency (Lobetti et al, 1996).…”

Pneumocystis canis pneumonia in dogs

“…Love) provided key immunologic insights. z The disease in Dachshunds was characterised further by South African veterinarians, with Lobetti and colleagues adapting human treatment strategies to successfully manage their canine cases 1,11 . The best radiological description of PCP was provided by Kirberger 12 , although this has been complemented by recent advances in imaging such as digital radiology and computed tomography (CT).…”