Peliosis hepatis and hepatic fibrosis in a dog infected with multiple species.

A 13-y-old, spayed female dog had regenerative anemia, lymphopenia, hypoalbuminemia, and elevated hepatic biochemical parameters. Liver biopsy revealed hepatic peliosis (hepatic sinusoidal angiectasis), frequently associated with perisinusoidal fibrosis. The dog was seroreactive to antigens by indirect fluorescent antibody assays, and quantitative PCR from blood identified subsp. genotype II. The dog was euthanized 9 mo later because of acute decompensation. Autopsy revealed icteric adipose tissues, end-stage liver, and abdominal effusion. Microscopically, there was marked mixed-cell chronic hepatitis with hepatocellular loss, nodular hepatocellular regeneration, and capillary proliferation. Retrospective molecular testing documented and DNA in the dog's blood at 2 or more times during liver disease progression. DNA was also amplified and sequenced from the autopsy sample of liver. Our case emphasizes that infection may be associated with hepatic peliosis and end-stage liver in dogs and expands the spectrum of species that potentially play a role in canine hepatic diseases.