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Pneumonia in a Paso-Fino mare
Amy L MacNeill1, A Rick Alleman, Robert P Franklin
1Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Health Science Center, PO Box 100103, Gainesville, FL 32610-0103, USA. almac@ufl.edu
Veterinary Clinical Pathology
|July 2, 2003
Summary
A severe respiratory distress case in a mare revealed Pneumocystis pneumonia. Diagnosis was confirmed via bronchoalveolar lavage cytology, highlighting its importance in equine P carinii infection.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Equine Respiratory Diseases
- Mycology
Background:
- Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is a significant respiratory disease in immunocompromised individuals.
- Diagnosis of PCP in horses is challenging due to the lack of culture methods.
- This case highlights a potential diagnostic approach for equine PCP.
Observation:
- A 5-year-old Paso-Fino mare presented with severe respiratory distress, fever, and poor body condition.
- Thoracic radiographs revealed interstitial and alveolar patterns with air bronchograms.
- Tracheal wash fluid showed purulent inflammation, while bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid contained mucus and fungal organisms consistent with Pneumocystis carinii.
Findings:
- The mare exhibited immunodeficiency, with undetectable immunoglobulin M (IgM) and decreased immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels.
- Immunophenotyping showed reduced major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II expression.
- BAL fluid cytology identified Pneumocystis organisms, suggesting PCP as the cause of respiratory distress.
Implications:
- Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cytology is a valuable diagnostic tool for Pneumocystis pneumonia in horses.
- This finding may improve diagnostic sensitivity compared to traditional histopathology.
- Early diagnosis and treatment of equine PCP can improve patient outcomes.