Nested–polymerase chain reaction detection of Pneumocystis carinii f. sp. canis in a suspected immunocompromised Cavalier King Charles spaniel with multiple infections

Petini, Matteo; Furlanello, Tommaso; Danesi, Patrizia; Zoia, Andrea

In veterinary literature regarding PP, pneumothorax it has been reported only following a lung fine needle aspiration on a CKCS. 4 However, in human medicine, it is described as a clinical finding in 5%-10% of human patients affect by PP. 19 Lung histology in these patients revealed a significant peripheral lung destruction characterized by sub-pleural necrosis and the presence of small and large sub-pleural cystic spaces. 19 In this study, the patient's pneumothorax may have occurred secondary to airway endoscopy and BAL. 20 Finally, the lung damage caused by multiple infectious agents may also had played a role in the pathogenesis of the pneumothorax. Unfortunately, at the owner's request and against medical advice, the dog was discharged from the hospital soon after the BAL procedure, preventing a watchful observation in an intensive care environment which may had altered the final outcome.