Quilotórax com presença de Babesia spp. em um cão

Abstract

A canine victim of a road accident was presented with an abdominothoracic respiratory pattern and bilateral pulmonary muffling. Imaging evaluation revealed moderate bilateral pleural effusion, composed of anechoic fluid with increased cellularity. Complementary exams revealed slight alterations in the blood count and serum biochemical parameters within the reference values ​​for the species. Analysis of the cavity fluid allowed the classification of the condition as chylothorax. However, cytological evaluation demonstrated numerous erythrocytes and the presence of intra- and extraerythrocytic structures compatible with protozoa of the order Piroplasmida, prompting PCR testing, which confirmed infection by Babesia spp. This is an uncommon finding in routine veterinary practice, since the pathophysiology of babesiosis is not directly associated with the formation of chylous effusion, and it is not possible to rule out that the infection occurred as an incidental finding during the investigation of the pleural effusion.