Blastomyces dermatitidis pneumonia in a llama

Abstract

A 20-y-old female llama (Lama glama) was euthanized after a history of chronic dyspnea and osteoarthritis. At autopsy, the lungs were covered by clear gelatinous material and expanded by firm, variably discrete, tan-white nodules up to 8 cm diameter containing tan-white, viscous material. The tracheobronchial lymph nodes were firm and enlarged up to 6 × 4 × 3 cm; the thoracic aorta and carotid arteries were lined by hard, tan-white, mineralized intimal plaques. Histologic examination of lung revealed numerous 10–20 μm diameter yeasts with clear 1–2 μm thick double-contoured walls, central basophilic nuclei, and frequent broad-based budding, consistent with Blastomyces dermatitidis. DNA sequencing confirmed the diagnosis. B. dermatitidis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary disease in llamas.