Co-infections with Respiratory Viruses in Dogs with Bacterial Pneumonia

Viitanen, S.J.; Lappalainen, A.; Rajamäki, M.M.

Novel molecular methods have allowed the rapid testing of several respiratory pathogens simultaneously. Lower respiratory tract samples are considered ideal when diagnosing viral respiratory infections in humans with CAP, and it has been shown that virus-positive PCR in BALF is associated with respiratory symptoms in humans. 62, 63 Naturally, the invasiveness of retrieving BALF, compared to upper respiratory sampling, limits the usefulness of this accurate sample. However, especially when using molecular methods, virus recovery from the upper respiratory tract may be suggestive of virus exposure rather than indicative of an active viral infection. 6 We chose lower respiratory tract samples in order to decrease the number of false-positive results, but a comparison of PCR findings between upper and lower respiratory tract samples would be useful. Underestimation of virus-positive PCR results may have occurred in our dogs in cases in which viral infection preceded BP and sampling was performed outside of the viral shedding period.