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Retrospective analysis of possible associations between Pneumocystis spp. and five immunosuppressive viral pathogens

Branislav Kureljušić1, Vesna Milićević1, Dimitrije Glišić1

  • 1Institute of Veterinary Medicine of Serbia, Janisa Janulisa 14, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia.

BMC Veterinary Research
|January 31, 2026
PubMed

Insights

This study found Pneumocystis spp. in 40.7% of Serbian wild carnivores, but co-infections with canine parvovirus 2 (CPV-2) or pseudorabies virus (PRV) were rare and did not correlate with severe Pneumocystis pneumonia.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Wildlife Ecology
  • Mycology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Pneumocystis spp. are opportunistic fungi causing pneumonia in immunosuppressed mammals.
  • Several viral pathogens are suspected of contributing to Pneumocystis proliferation.
  • The role of viruses in Pneumocystis pneumonia in wild carnivores remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate associations between Pneumocystis spp. and common immunosuppressive viruses in Serbian wild carnivores.
  • To determine the prevalence of Pneumocystis spp., canine parvovirus 2 (CPV-2), and pseudorabies virus (PRV) in golden jackals, Eurasian badgers, and red foxes.
  • To assess potential co-infections and their impact on Pneumocystis spp. loads.

Main Methods:

  • Collected 108 wild carnivores (golden jackals, Eurasian badgers, red foxes) from Serbia.
  • Utilized conventional and real-time PCR to detect Pneumocystis spp., CPV-2, PRV, canine distemper virus, canine coronavirus, and canine herpesvirus.
  • Analyzed pathogen prevalence, co-infections, and pathogen loads (Ct values) across different animal groups and locations.

Main Results:

  • Pneumocystis spp. detected in 40.7% of animals; CPV-2 in 2.8%; PRV in 4.6%.
  • Co-infections observed: Pneumocystis spp. and PRV in three animals; Pneumocystis spp. absent in CPV-2 positive animals.
  • Pneumocystis spp. loads were associated with subclinical infections, while CPV-2 and PRV loads were high in co-infected samples.

Conclusions:

  • The studied viruses (CPV-2, PRV) are unlikely to be major drivers of clinically apparent Pneumocystis pneumonia in these wild carnivores.
  • Viral immunomodulation's role in Pneumocystis pneumonia cannot be entirely excluded due to low viral prevalence and lack of histopathology.
  • Further research is needed to fully understand virus-fungus interactions in wildlife immunology.
Keywords:
Pneumocystis spp.Co-infectionsConventional PCREurasian badger (Meles meles)Golden jackal (Canis aureus)Real-time PCRRed fox (Vulpes vulpes)Viral pathogensWild carnivores

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