Immunologic changes in acute canine blastomycosis

Abstract

Immunologic evaluations were done on a total of 21 dogs presented with acute blastomycosis. There were significant increases in serum alpha 2-, beta-, and gamma-globulins with decreases in albumin concentration. Serum immunoglobulin G was significantly increased, while immunoglobulin M was decreased. Lymphocyte reactivity was evaluated in 6 dogs with acute blastomycosis. There were significant reductions in lymphocyte reactivity in autologous sera to pokeweed, concanavalin, and phytohemagglutinin stimulation. In addition to decreased reactivity of lymphocytes in dogs with normal lymphocyte counts, 40% of dogs with acute blastomycosis were lymphopenic. Abnormalities in cell-mediated immunity may have a role in the pathogenesis of canine blastomycosis.