Detection of specific bacterial agents by quantitative PCR assays in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of dogs with eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy vs. dogs with chronic bronchitis and healthy dogs

There was no difference in M. canis, M. cynos and Bb detection rates in dogs with EBP (n = 6, n = 2 and n = 6, respectively) and dogs with CB (n = 2, n = 2 and n = 2, respectively) compared with control dogs (n = 4, n = 2 and n = 2, respectively). In dogs with EBP, the proportion that were qPCR-positive for Bb was higher in dogs with higher CSS (P = 0.014) and BALF from Bb-positive dogs had higher percentage of neutrophils (P < 0.001). Among dogs that were qPCR-positive for Bb, moderate to high loads were only detected in dogs with EBP. M. canis and M. cynos detection was not associated with EBP or CB; higher Bb loads were only present in dogs with EBP and high CSS. A possible cause and effect relationship between Bb infection or load and EBP remains unclear and requires further investigation.