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

The third peculiarity of this case report was the multiple bacteria identified by PCR and cultured from the BAL specimen and the presence of a concurrent urinary bacterial infection (i.e. E. coli). Although pulmonary co-infection with B. bronchiseptica has previously been reported, multiple coinfections with K. pneumonia, Mycoplasma spp., and Bordetella bronchiseptica, contemporary to a urinary tract infection with E. coli, have never been described before, further supporting the immune-suppression state of the dog. Moreover, it is also important to underline that all bacterial agents isolated by PCR and cultured are usually sensitive to one or more of the antimicrobial agents previously administered to the dog, supporting further the presence of an immunodeficient state in this patient.