Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Ruminant Diseases and Immunology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #323720
Title: Identification of Bordetella bronchseptica in fatal pneumonia of dogs and cats

Author
item ABDELAZIZ, KHALED - University Of Guelph
item BASSEL, L - University Of Guelph
item SCOTT, MELANI - University Of Guelph
item CLARK, MARY ELLEN - University Of Guelph
item Register, Karen
item CASWELL, JEFF - University Of Guelph

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/24/2015
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Infection with Bordetella bronchiseptica is a common cause of tracheobronchitis and upper respiratory disease in dogs and cats, but it can also lead to fatal pneumonia. Identification of this pathogen is important due the risk of transmission to other animals, availability of vaccines and potential zoonotic risk for immunocompromised people. This retrospective study used historical cases of fatal bronchopneumonia submitted to the Animal Health Lab, University of Guelph over a 5 year period to evaluate the utility of polymerase chain reaction (PCR), immunohistochemistry (IHC) and histologic identification of cilia-associated bacteria, as methods of diagnosis of Bordetella bronchiseptica. Cases with a clinical history of aspiration pneumonia, minor lung lesions, autolysis and those involving neonates were excluded. This resulted in 36 canine and 31 feline cases included in the study. Bordetella bronchiseptica was investigated using histological examination for cilia-associated bacteria, IHC for pertactin, PCR testing for flaA gene, and bacterial culture data when available. Bordetella bronchiseptica was identified in 8/36 canine and 14/31 feline cases by IHC, PCR or culture. Of these, PCR was positive in all cases and was the only test positive for Bordetella bronchiseptica in 4 canine and 7 feline cases. IHC was positive in 4 canine and 7 feline cases. A subset of cases had bacterial culture performed and Bordetella bronchiseptica was identified in 2/29 canine and 3/18 feline cases. Histologic examination revealed bronchial cilia-associated bacteria in 4 canine and 5 feline cases; these were all positive by IHC and PCR. The presence of cilia-associated bacteria appears to be a highly specific diagnostic feature of Bordetella bronchiseptica pneumonia.