Rhodococcus equi pVAPN type causing pneumonia in a dog coinfected with canine morbillivirus (distemper virus) and Toxoplasma gondii

Pyogranulomatous pleuropneumonia caused by Nocardia asiatica in a dog coinfected with canine morbillivirus (canine distemper virus)

“…The combined infection of the dog with CM, which is an immunocompromised agent, likely favoured the action of opportunistic pathogens, including Nocardia spp. This type of combined infection in dogs by pathogens has become increasingly common (Portilho et al, ; Sykes, ). In this scenario, a recent report describes triple infection by CM, Rhodococcus equi and Toxoplasma gondii in a dog with pneumonia; underscoring the influence of immunosuppression on pathogenic infections (Portilho et al, ).…”

“…The increasing number of companion animals and their importance for the physical and mental health of their owners have been described globally. Nevertheless, the close relationship and direct contact between pets and their owners may favour the transmission of pathogens from pets‐to‐humans (Esch & Petersen, ; Portilho et al, ), including by Nocardia species, which poses an emerging public health issue.…”

“…In humans, Nocardia ‐induced infections have been associated with immunocompromised patients either secondary to immunosuppressive therapy or people living with HIV/AIDS (Liu et al, ; Wang et al, ). Particularly in dogs, it is commonly reported in animals coinfected with canine morbillivirus (CM; formerly canine distemper virus, CDV) or other immunosuppressive agents (Portilho et al, ; Ribeiro, ). Lymphocutaneous lesions, such as abscesses, nodules, ulcers and cellulitis especially in the cervicofacial region, are common clinical signs of canine nocardiosis.…”

“…Canine morbillivirus is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by an immunosuppressive virus (Sykes, ) that affects the epithelial and nervous system of domestic dogs that may favour opportunistic coinfections, including by Nocardia species (Portilho et al, ).…”

Cytologic detection of Toxoplasma gondii in the cerebrospinal fluid of a dog and in vitro isolation of a unique mouse-virulent recombinant strain

“…Morbillivirus induces immunosuppression in dogs, which predisposes these animals to opportunistic agents such as T. gondii . 15,19 It is possible that morbillivirus infection contributed to immunosuppression of the dog in our case and reactivated a latent infection by T. gondii .…”