Septic pericardial effusion associated with pulmonary and pericardial botryomycosis in a dog

Abstract

The authors report a case of septic pericardial effusion resulting in cardiac tamponade associated with intrathoracic botryomycosis in a dog. Septic pericarditis and a pulmonary mass were diagnosed, and subtotal pericardiectomy and lobectomy of the affected pulmonary areas were carried out. Histopathology of the excised tissue showed changes supportive of botryomycosis--namely a pyogranulomatous inflammation with neutrophils centred around amorphous homogeneous eosinophilic material and club-like bodies containing Gram-positive bacterial cocci present in the centre. The patient recovered well following surgery and antibiotic therapy. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of pulmonary botryomycosis in the dog and the first report of this condition presented with pericardial involvement and cardiac tamponade in any species.