Histoplasmosis is a main fungal diseases that affect the lower respiratory tract of small animals, being caused by Histoplasma capsulatum, a fungus found in soil rich in nitrogen compounds, derived from decaying organic matter. It is described a case of pulmonary histoplasmosis in a dog of Boxer breed, domiciled in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil, which had a respiratory syndrome with clinical course of about six months. On cytopathological examination of bronchoalveolar lavage were visualized yeast structures of approximately two micrometers in diameter, characteristics of H. capsulatum, and then was indicated therapy with itraconazole. The cytopathological examination of bronchoalveolar lavage is an important diagnostic tool in the identification of the agent and the treatment with itraconazole is efficient, leading to complete remission of clinical signs.
Fungus; respiratory; dog; bronchoalveolar lavage; cytopathology