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Title: NEOSPORA CANINUM PNEUMONIA IN AN 11-YEAR-OLD DOG

Author
item GREIG B - UNIV OF MINNESOTA
item ROSSOW K D - UNIV OF MINNESOTA
item COLLINS J E - UNIV OF MINNESOTA
item DUBEY JITENDER P - 1265-55-00

Submitted to: American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists Proceedings
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/10/1995
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Neospora caninum is a recently discovered protozoan parasite. It can cause severe illness in livestock and companion animals. Its life cycle and sources of infection are unknown. Most cases of clinical neosporosis were reported in young congenitally infected dogs. Scientists at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center and the University of Minnesota report fatal neosporosis in an 11-year-old dog that died of severe pneumonia. Neospora was identified in bronchial lavage, antemortem and in sections of lungs postmortem. The lesions described should help in the diagnosis of neosporosis.

Technical Abstract: Neosporosis was diagnosed in an 11-year-old female Terrier dog. The dog had labored respiration and died inspite of antibiotic therapy. Neospora tachyzoites were seen in impression smears made from the lung aspirate. The dog was euthanatized because of pneumonia. Numerous Neospora caninum tachyzoites were found in sections of lungs and the diagnosis was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining with anti-N. caninum serum.