Constrictive pericarditis secondary to Coccidioides immitis infection in adog

A 4-year-old castrated male mixed-breed dog with a history of coccidioidomy cosis was referred for evaluation of abdominal and pleural effusion. Result s of radiography, ultrasonography, cytologic evaluation of thoracic fluid, and serologic testing supported a diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis se condary to infection with Coccidioides immitis. Aggressive treatment for pr esumptive coccidioidomycosis was begun, but the dog's condition continued t o deteriorate, and the dog was euthanatized. At necropsy, the pericardium w as thicker than normal and fibrotic and adhered to the epicardium. Microsco pically the pericardium and 1 section of epicardium contained lymphoplasmac ytic infiltrates with a few macrophages and neutrophils. Coccidioides immit is was cultured from pericardial fluid. A search of records from the Arizon a Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for 1988 through 1998 revealed that of 4 6 dogs in which a diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis was confirmed at necropsy , 13 had involvement of the heart or pericardium.