title: Presumed lupus erythematosus cells identified in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from a Mexican Hairless dog.
abstract: A neutered male Mexican Hairless dog was presented for generalized weight loss and weakness. Initial laboratory testing and diagnostic imaging revealed thrombocytopenia and an interstitial to miliary lung pattern affecting all lung fields. Mild joint effusion was found on physical examination affecting the stifle, tarsal, carpal, and elbow joints. Examination of synovial fluid demonstrated an inflammatory polyarthropathy in 3 joints. Cytocentrifuged and direct preparations of the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid sample were made and cells consistent with lupus erythematosus (LE) cells and ragocytes were found. Based on these findings, the anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) titer was determined as 1:640. A clinical diagnosis of systemic LE was made based on the satisfaction of 2 major criteria (thrombocytopenia and inflammatory polyarthritis), 4 minor criteria (central nervous system signs, lymphadenopathy, fever of unknown origin, and pleuritis), positive ANA titer, and the identification of presumed LE cells in BAL fluid. This case report highlights a novel finding of LE cells in respiratory secretions and provides a review of diagnostic criteria of systemic LE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Laura J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Black
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Ashley C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Hechler
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Maura E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Duffy
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Sarah S K
authors.initials: SSK
authors.lastname: Beatty
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male
keywords: Bronchoalveolar lavage; LE cell; canine immune-mediated polyarthritis; ragocytes; systemic lupus erythematosus; thrombocytopenia