Atypical canine infectious respiratory disease complex

Atypical canine infectious respiratory disease complex (aCIRDC) is a proposed novel respiratory disease in dogs[1] of unknown cause. It has been recorded in 19 US states, with more cases on the West Coast.^[citation needed]

It has also been referred to as respiratory syndrome of unknown aetiology in dogs and as canine respiratory disease of unknown origin.[2]

History

It was first described in summer 2023 as a cluster of 200 cases around Portland, Oregon.[3]

Characteristics

Symptoms include a cough, fever, lethargy, sneezing and watery eyes. In some cases, the illness proceeds to death.[1] Cases tend to fit three clinical syndromes: chronic mild/moderate tracheobronchitis of prolonged duration (6+ weeks),[4] with coughing, sneezing, and watery eyes; chronic pneumonia that is minimally responsive to antimicrobials, possibly including dyspnea; and, rarely, acute pneumonia that rapidly becomes severe and can lead to death.[5][6] Most cases are self-limiting and respond well to supportive care.[7] Antibiotics may be indicated.[6]

Diagnosis should rule out known forms of canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC; also known as kennel cough). aCIRDC does not respond to regular treatment protocols for CIRCD and the course of the disease is longer and more severe.[8]

There is no evidence that it can spread to humans.^[citation needed]

Cause

The cause is currently unknown.^[citation needed]

The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of New Hampshire have put forth a possible bacterium as the cause.[5] They have tentatively identified this as IOLA KY405,[9] which was previously identified in humans in 2021.[10] This is similar to Mycoplasma in lacking a cell wall and having a small genome.[9]

However, other vets have suggested that this might just represent a peak in CIRDC cases and not involve any new pathogens. This could be due to changes in human behaviour following the end of COVID-19 lockdowns and other COVID-19-related disruption to veterinary care (e.g. frequency of vaccination), as well as to the general increase in dog numbers in the US.[11][6]

See also

• 2022 hepatitis of unknown origin in children

References

1. Hasan, Mahamudul and Miller, Laura, Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex: A Case Study of Epidemiology and Risk Factor Investigation Based on Survey Data from Dog Owners Across the United States of America. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4805779 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4805779
2. "Canine respiratory disease outbreaks". 25 August 2022.
3. "Understanding Atypical Canine Respiratory Disease | Johns Hopkins | Bloomberg School of Public Health". 5 December 2023.
4. "Map shows where mysterious dog respiratory illness has spread in U.S. - CBS News". CBS News. 19 December 2023.
5. "LSU Vet Med raises awareness about Atypical Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (ACIRDC): Symptoms, Research, and Precautions".
6. https://www.aaha.org/publications/newstat/articles/2023-12/canine-respiratory-mystery-what-we-know-about-the-outbreak/
7. "Q&A: What to Know About a Mysterious Dog Illness Sweeping the Country". 20 December 2023.
8. "Canine respiratory disease outbreaks". 25 August 2022.
9. https://assets-002.noviams.com/novi-file-uploads/mvma/pdfs-and-documents/Regulatory/K9_Atypical_Pneumonia_Update_V2.pdf
10. Fukuda, Kazumasa; Yamasaki, Kei; Ogura, Yoshitoshi; Kawanami, Toshinori; Ikegami, Hiroaki; Noguchi, Shingo; Akata, Kentarou; Katsura, Keisuke; Yatera, Kazuhiro; Mukae, Hiroshi; Hayashi, Tetsuya; Taniguchi, Hatsumi (2021). "A human respiratory tract-associated bacterium with an extremely small genome". Communications Biology. 4 (1): 628. doi:10.1038/s42003-021-02162-6. PMC 8155191. PMID 34040152.
11. "Penn Vet | Three takeaways on respiratory illness in dogs".