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Rohdin C, Ljungvall I, Jäderlund KH, Svensson A, Lindblad-Toh K, Häggström J. Assessment of glial fibrillary acidic protein and anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein autoantibody concentrations and necrotising meningoencephalitis risk genotype in dogs with pug dog myelopathy. Vet Rec 2024; 194:e3895. [PMID: 38704817 DOI: 10.1002/vetr.3895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pugs commonly present with thoracolumbar myelopathy, also known as pug dog myelopathy (PDM), which is clinically characterised by progressive signs involving the pelvic limbs, no apparent signs of pain and, often, incontinence. In addition to meningeal fibrosis and focal spinal cord destruction, histopathology has confirmed lymphohistiocytic infiltrates in the central nervous system (CNS) in a considerable number of pugs with PDM. Lymphohistiocytic CNS inflammation also characterises necrotising meningoencephalitis (NME) in pugs. This study aimed to investigate the potential contribution of an immunological aetiology to the development of PDM. METHODS The concentrations of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in serum and CSF and of anti-GFAP autoantibodies in CSF were measured with an ELISA. In addition, a commercial test was used for genetic characterisation of the dog leukocyte antigen class II haplotype, which is associated with NME susceptibility. RESULTS This study included 87 dogs: 52 PDM pugs, 14 control pugs, four NME pugs and 17 dogs of breeds other than pugs that were investigated for neurological disease (neuro controls). Anti-GFAP autoantibodies were present in 15 of 19 (79%) of the PDM pugs tested versus six of 16 (38%) of the neuro controls tested (p = 0.018). All 18 PDM pugs evaluated had detectable CSF GFAP. Serum GFAP was detected in two of three (67%) of the NME pugs and in two of 11 (18%) of the control pugs but not in any of the 40 tested PDM pugs. Male pugs heterozygous for the NME risk haplotype had an earlier onset of clinical signs (70 months) compared to male pugs without the risk haplotype (78 months) (p = 0.036). LIMITATIONS The study was limited by the lack of healthy dogs of breeds other than pugs and the small numbers of control pugs and pugs with NME. CONCLUSIONS The high proportion of PDM pugs with anti-GFAP autoantibodies and high CSF GFAP concentrations provide support for a potential immunological contribution to the development of PDM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Rohdin
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
- Anicura, Albano Small Animal Hospital, Danderyd, Sweden
| | - Ingrid Ljungvall
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Karin Hultin Jäderlund
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Anna Svensson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Kerstin Lindblad-Toh
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jens Häggström
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
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van Renen J, Kehl A, Buhmann G, Matiasek LA, Zablotski Y, Fischer A. Allele frequency of a genetic risk variant for necrotizing meningoencephalitis in pug dogs from Europe and association with the clinical phenotype. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1407288. [PMID: 38840637 PMCID: PMC11150678 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1407288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME) in pugs is a potentially fatal disease, which needs lifelong treatment with immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory drugs and shares parallels with acute fulminating multiple sclerosis. Genetic variants of the DLA class II gene are associated with an increased risk for NME. Genetic testing is recommended prior to breeding. The aim of this study was to describe the current allele frequency of a previously identified NME risk variant in the European pug population. A secondary aim was to investigate the association of the NME risk variant with the clinical phenotype in pugs. Methods Results of genetic testing for the CFA12:2605517delC variant in European pugs between 2012 and 2020 were retrieved (n = 5,974). A validated questionnaire was mailed to all submitters of samples for further information on neurological signs, diagnostic tests, and disease course. Results The allele frequency of the CFA12 NME risk variant was 25.7% in the European pug population dogs; 7.4% of the dogs were homozygous and 36.7% were heterozygous for the NME risk variant on CFA12. Completed questionnaires were available in 203 dogs including 25 dogs with epileptic seizures or other neurological signs. The clinical phenotype was consistent with NME in 3.9% with a median age of onset of 1.0 years, and indicative of idiopathic epilepsy in 2.9% with a median onset of 2.5 years. Eleven dogs remained unclassified. Pugs with the NME phenotype were significantly more frequently homozygous for the NME risk variant on CFA12 compared to pugs ≥6 years without neurological signs or seizures (p = 0.008). Discussion The CFA12:2605517delC genetic risk variant is widely distributed in the European pug population and frequently homozygous in pugs with a NME phenotype. The data support the clinical relevance of the CFA12:2605517delC genetic risk variant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana van Renen
- Small Animal Clinic, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Alexandra Kehl
- Laboklin, Bad Kissingen, Germany
- Comparative Experimental Pathology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Gesine Buhmann
- Small Animal Clinic, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Lara A. Matiasek
- Small Animal Clinic, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Yury Zablotski
- Small Animal Clinic, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Andrea Fischer
- Small Animal Clinic, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
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Guo Y, Endmayr V, Zekeridou A, McKeon A, Leypoldt F, Hess K, Kalinowska-Lyszczarz A, Klang A, Pakozdy A, Höftberger E, Hametner S, Haider C, De Simoni D, Peters S, Gelpi E, Röcken C, Oberndorfer S, Lassmann H, Lucchinetti CF, Höftberger R. New insights into neuropathology and pathogenesis of autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein meningoencephalomyelitis. Acta Neuropathol 2024; 147:31. [PMID: 38310187 PMCID: PMC10838242 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-023-02678-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) meningoencephalomyelitis (autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy) is a new autoimmune central nervous system (CNS) disease diagnosable by the presence of anti-GFAP autoantibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid and presents as meningoencephalomyelitis in the majority of patients. Only few neuropathological reports are available and little is known about the pathogenic mechanisms. We performed a histopathological study of two autopsies and nine CNS biopsies of patients with anti-GFAP autoantibodies and found predominantly a lymphocytic and in one autopsy case a granulomatous inflammatory phenotype. Inflammatory infiltrates were composed of B and T cells, including tissue-resident memory T cells. Although obvious astrocytic damage was absent in the GFAP-staining, we found cytotoxic T cell-mediated reactions reflected by the presence of CD8+/perforin+/granzyme A/B+ cells, polarized towards astrocytes. MHC-class-I was upregulated in reactive astrocytes of all biopsies and two autopsies but not in healthy controls. Importantly, we observed a prominent immunoreactivity of astrocytes with the complement factor C4d. Finally, we provided insight into an early phase of GFAP autoimmunity in an autopsy of a pug dog encephalitis that was characterized by marked meningoencephalitis with selective astrocytic damage with loss of GFAP and AQP4 in the lesions.Our histopathological findings indicate that a cytotoxic T cell-mediated immune reaction is present in GFAP autoimmunity. Complement C4d deposition on astrocytes could either represent the cause or consequence of astrocytic reactivity. Selective astrocytic damage is prominent in the early phase of GFAP autoimmunity in a canine autopsy case, but mild or absent in subacute and chronic stages in human disease, probably due to the high regeneration potential of astrocytes. The lymphocytic and granulomatous phenotypes might reflect different stages of lesion development or patient-specific modifications of the immune response. Future studies will be necessary to investigate possible implications of pathological subtypes for clinical disease course and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Guo
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Verena Endmayr
- Division of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Comprehensive Center for Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anastasia Zekeridou
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
- Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Andrew McKeon
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
- Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Frank Leypoldt
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein Kiel, Lübeck, Germany
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein and Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Katharina Hess
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, North Rhine Westphalia, Germany
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Alicja Kalinowska-Lyszczarz
- Department of Neurology, Division of Neurochemistry and Neuropathology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Andrea Klang
- Institute of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Akos Pakozdy
- Internal Medicine, University Clinic for Small Animals, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Elisabeth Höftberger
- Internal Medicine, University Clinic for Small Animals, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Simon Hametner
- Division of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Comprehensive Center for Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Carmen Haider
- Division of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Comprehensive Center for Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Désirée De Simoni
- Division of Neurology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, University Hospital, St. Pölten, Austria
| | - Sönke Peters
- Clinic for Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Ellen Gelpi
- Division of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Comprehensive Center for Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph Röcken
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Stefan Oberndorfer
- Division of Neurology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, University Hospital, St. Pölten, Austria
| | - Hans Lassmann
- Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Romana Höftberger
- Division of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
- Comprehensive Center for Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
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Windsor R, Stewart S, Schmidt J, Mosqueda M, Piras I, Keller SM, Steinmetz B, Borjesson DL, Huentelman M, Khanna C. A potential early clinical phenotype of necrotizing meningoencephalitis in genetically at-risk pug dogs. J Vet Intern Med 2022; 36:1382-1389. [PMID: 35621070 PMCID: PMC9308433 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME) in the pug dogs is a fatal neuroinflammatory disease associated with rapid progression and poor response to conventional immunosuppressive therapy. Diagnosis is typically made after severe neurological abnormalities have manifested. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVE Pug dogs at genetic risk for NME might manifest neurological abnormalities before developing pathognomonic clinical signs of NME. ANIMALS Thirty-six pug dogs less than 4 years of age asymptomatic for NME. METHODS Prospective observational cohort study with germline genome-wide genotyping. Neurological examinations were performed 4 weeks apart to document reproducible findings of central nervous system disease. Magnetic resonance imaging, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and testing for infectious diseases were performed in all pugs with reproducible abnormalities detected on neurological examination. RESULTS The overall risk allele frequency in this cohort was 40%; 5 (14%) dogs were high risk, 19 (53%) dogs were medium risk, and 12 (33%) dogs were low genetic risk for NME. Reproducible abnormalities detected on neurological examination were identified in 8/24 (33%) genetically at-risk dogs and 0/12 (0%) low risk dogs. Clinical abnormalities included multifocal spinal pain in 8/8, reduced menace response in 5/8, and lateralizing postural reaction deficits in 5/8 pugs. There was a strong association between genotype risk and the presence of this clinical phenotype (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Our findings suggest the presence of a novel early clinical phenotype of NME in apparently asymptomatic genetically at-risk pugs which might be used to plan early diagnostic and therapeutic clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Windsor
- Ethos Veterinary HealthWoburnMassachusettsUSA
- Ethos Discovery (501c.3.)San DiegoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Samuel Stewart
- Ethos Veterinary HealthWoburnMassachusettsUSA
- Ethos Discovery (501c.3.)San DiegoCaliforniaUSA
| | | | - Mario Mosqueda
- Neurogenomics DivisionTranslational Genomics Research InstitutePhoenixArizonaUSA
| | - Ignazio Piras
- Neurogenomics DivisionTranslational Genomics Research InstitutePhoenixArizonaUSA
| | - Stefan M. Keller
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, ImmunologyUniversity of California, DavisDavisCaliforniaUSA
| | - Briana Steinmetz
- Ethos Veterinary HealthWoburnMassachusettsUSA
- Ethos Discovery (501c.3.)San DiegoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Dori L. Borjesson
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, ImmunologyUniversity of California, DavisDavisCaliforniaUSA
| | - Matthew Huentelman
- Neurogenomics DivisionTranslational Genomics Research InstitutePhoenixArizonaUSA
| | - Chand Khanna
- Ethos Veterinary HealthWoburnMassachusettsUSA
- Ethos Discovery (501c.3.)San DiegoCaliforniaUSA
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Huenerfauth EI, Bien CG, Bien C, Volk HA, Meyerhoff N. Case Report: Anti-GABAA Receptor Encephalitis in a Dog. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:886711. [PMID: 35812851 PMCID: PMC9262380 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.886711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoantibodies against neurotransmitter receptors detected in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum are increasingly recognized in people with human autoimmune encephalitis causing severe neurological deficits, such as seizures and behavioral abnormalities. This case report describes the first encephalitis associated with antibodies against the γ-aminobutyric acid-A receptor (GABAAR) in a dog. A young male intact Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was presented with recent onset of initial multiple generalized tonic-clonic seizures progressing into a status epilepticus. Interictally, he showed alternating stupor and hyperexcitability, ataxia, pleurothotonus and circling behavior to the left side. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain showed breed-specific anatomical abnormalities. Standard CSF analysis was unremarkable. Despite treatment with multiple antiseizure medications (ASMs) seizures and behavior abnormalities sustained. Immunotherapy with dexamethasone was started on the fifth day after disease manifestation. This led to rapid improvement of clinical signs. An extensive antibody search in CSF and serum demonstrated a neuropil staining pattern on a tissue-based assay compatible with GABAAR antibodies. The diagnosis was confirmed by binding of serum and CSF antibodies to GABAAR transfected Human Embryonic Kidney cells. The serum titer was 1:320, the CSF titer 1:2. At the control visit 4.5 weeks after start of immunotherapy, the dog was clinically normal. The GABAAR antibody titer in serum had strongly decreased. The antibodies were no longer detectable in CSF. Based on clinical presentation and testing for GABAAR binding antibodies, this describes the first veterinary patient with an anti-GABAAR encephalitis with a good outcome following ASM and corticosteroid treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrice I. Huenerfauth
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Foundation, Hannover, Germany
- *Correspondence: Enrice I. Huenerfauth
| | | | | | - Holger A. Volk
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Nina Meyerhoff
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Foundation, Hannover, Germany
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Windsor R, Stewart SD, Talboom J, Lewis C, Naymik M, Piras IS, Keller S, Borjesson DL, Clark G, Khanna C, Huentelman M. Leukocyte and cytokine variables in asymptomatic Pugs at genetic risk of necrotizing meningoencephalitis. J Vet Intern Med 2021; 35:2846-2852. [PMID: 34687084 PMCID: PMC8692191 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME, aka Pug dog encephalitis) is an inflammatory brain condition associated with advanced disease at initial presentation, rapid progression, and poor response to conventional immunomodulatory therapy. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES That genetic risk for NME, defined by a common germline DNA haplotype located on chromosome 12, is associated with altered blood cytokine concentrations and leukocyte subsets in asymptomatic Pugs. ANIMALS Forty Pug dogs asymptomatic for NME from a hospital sample. METHODS Prospective observational cohort study, including germline genome-wide genotyping, plasma cytokine determination by multiplexed profiling, and leukocyte subset characterization by flow cytometric analysis. RESULTS Seven (18%) dogs were high risk, 10 (25%) medium risk, and 23 (58%) low risk for NME, giving a risk haplotype frequency of 30%. High and medium risk Pugs had significantly lower proportion of CD4+ T cells (median 22% [range, 7.3%-38%] vs 29% [range, 16%-41%], P = .03) and higher plasma IL-10 concentrations than low-risk Pugs (median 14.11 pg/mL [range, 9.66-344.19 pg/mL] vs 12.21 pg/mL [range, 2.59-18.53 pg/mL], P = .001). No other variables were significantly associated with the NME haplotype-based risk. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE These data suggest an immunological underpinning to NME and a biologic rationale for future clinical trials that investigate novel diagnostic, preventative, and therapeutic strategies for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Windsor
- Ethos Veterinary Health, Woburn, Massachusetts, USA.,Ethos Discovery (501c3), San Diego, California, USA
| | - Samuel D Stewart
- Ethos Veterinary Health, Woburn, Massachusetts, USA.,Ethos Discovery (501c3), San Diego, California, USA
| | - Joshua Talboom
- Neurogenomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Candace Lewis
- Neurogenomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Marcus Naymik
- Neurogenomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Ignazio S Piras
- Neurogenomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Stefan Keller
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, Immunology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Dori L Borjesson
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, Immunology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Gary Clark
- Gary Clark Statistical Consulting LLC, Superior, Colorado, USA
| | - Chand Khanna
- Ethos Veterinary Health, Woburn, Massachusetts, USA.,Ethos Discovery (501c3), San Diego, California, USA
| | - Matthew Huentelman
- Neurogenomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
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Andersen-Ranberg E, Berendt M, Gredal H. Biomarkers of non-infectious inflammatory CNS diseases in dogs: Where are we now? Part 2 - Steroid responsive meningitis-arteritis. Vet J 2021; 273:105692. [PMID: 34148607 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2021.105692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Steroid responsive meningitis-arteritis (SRMA) in dogs causes severe inflammation of meningeal arteries leading to generalized meningitis with possible neurological signs, as well as a systemic inflammatory response. The etiology and exact pathogenesis are unknown, but an immune-mediated origin has been suggested and is supported by a positive response to immunosuppressive treatment with corticosteroids. A collection of clinical and paraclinical characteristics may be highly indicative of SRMA, but a single and conclusive diagnostic test or biomarker is currently not available. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the current understanding and knowledge on SRMA, with special emphasis on potential biomarkers and their applicability in the diagnostic work-up. Though no specific markers for SRMA currently exist, clinically useful markers include IgA and several acute phase proteins e.g. C-reactive protein. A frequent problem of both acknowledged and proposed biomarkers, is, however, their inability to effectively differentiate SRMA from other systemic inflammatory conditions. Other proposed diagnostic markers include genetic markers, acute phase proteins such as serum amyloid A, cytokines such as interleukin-17 and CC-motif ligand 19, endocannabinoid receptors and heat shock protein 70; these suggestions however either lack specificity or need further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Andersen-Ranberg
- Copenhagen University, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Dyrlægevej 16, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Mette Berendt
- Copenhagen University, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Dyrlægevej 16, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Hanne Gredal
- Copenhagen University, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Dyrlægevej 16, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
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8
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Andersen-Ranberg E, Berendt M, Gredal H. Biomarkers of non-infectious inflammatory CNS diseases in dogs - Where are we now? Part I: Meningoencephalitis of unknown origin. Vet J 2021; 273:105678. [PMID: 34148601 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2021.105678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Meningoencephalitides of Unknown Origin (MUO) comprises a group of non-infectious inflammatory brain conditions, which frequently cause severe neurological disease and death in dogs. Although multiple diagnostic markers have been investigated, a conclusive diagnosis, at present, essentially relies on postmortem histopathology. However, different groups of biomarkers, e.g. acute phase proteins, antibodies, cytokines, and neuro-imaging markers may prove useful in the diagnostic investigation of dogs with MUO. It appears from the current literature that acute phase proteins such as C-reactive protein are often normal in MUO, but may be useful to rule out steroid responsive meningitis-arteritis as well as other systemic inflammatory conditions. In antibody research, anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) may play a role, but further research is needed to establish this as a consistent marker of particularly Pug dog encephalitis. The proposed diagnostic markers often lack specificity to distinguish between the subtypes of MUO, but an increased expression of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) in granulomatous meningoencephalitis (GME) in tissue biopsies may indicate their potential as specific markers of NME and GME, respectively, suggesting further investigations of these in serum and CSF. While neuro-imaging is already an important part of the diagnostic work-up in MUO, further promising results have been shown with Positron Emission Tomography (PET) as well as proton resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS), which may be able to detect areas of necrosis and granulomas, respectively, with relatively high specificity. This review presents different groups of established and potential diagnostic markers of MUO assessing current results and future potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Andersen-Ranberg
- Copenhagen University, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Dyrlægevej 16, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Mette Berendt
- Copenhagen University, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Dyrlægevej 16, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Hanne Gredal
- Copenhagen University, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Dyrlægevej 16, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
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Portero M, Miró G, Checa R, Martínez de Merlo E, Fragío C, Benito M, Sainz Á, Pérez C. Role of Leishmania infantum in Meningoencephalitis of Unknown Origin in Dogs from a Canine Leishmaniosis Endemic Area. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9030571. [PMID: 33802179 PMCID: PMC7998340 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9030571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The main hypothesis for the aetiology of meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO) in dogs is an autoimmune or genetic cause that is associated with a triggering event (environmental factors/infectious agents). The aim of this ambispective cohort study was to test for Leishmania infantum infection in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of dogs with MUO in an endemic area of canine leishmaniosis. Dogs with MUO were selected amongst all dogs undergoing blood anti-L. infantum antibody testing (control group). The blood plasma or serum samples from all dogs were analysed for anti- L. infantum antibodies by a quantitative indirect fluorescent assay (IFAT). In dogs with MUO, CSF samples were obtained for analysed by PCR detection of L. infantum DNA. Forty-four percent and 22% of the dogs in the MUO group featured magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and CSF cytology respectively, consistent with L. infantum infection. IFAT, PCR, and histological findings were negative for L. infantum. A significant difference in L. infantum infection prevalence was found between the control and MUO group (p = 0.0022). While it seems unlikely that L. infantum plays a role in the aetiology of MUO, in endemic areas, this pathogen should be included in the differential diagnosis of this neurological disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Portero
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, Hospital Clinico Veterinario Complutense, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (E.M.d.M.); (C.F.); (M.B.); (Á.S.); (C.P.)
- Correspondence: (M.P.); (G.M.)
| | - Guadalupe Miró
- Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
- Correspondence: (M.P.); (G.M.)
| | - Rocío Checa
- Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Elena Martínez de Merlo
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, Hospital Clinico Veterinario Complutense, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (E.M.d.M.); (C.F.); (M.B.); (Á.S.); (C.P.)
| | - Cristina Fragío
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, Hospital Clinico Veterinario Complutense, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (E.M.d.M.); (C.F.); (M.B.); (Á.S.); (C.P.)
| | - Miguel Benito
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, Hospital Clinico Veterinario Complutense, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (E.M.d.M.); (C.F.); (M.B.); (Á.S.); (C.P.)
| | - Ángel Sainz
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, Hospital Clinico Veterinario Complutense, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (E.M.d.M.); (C.F.); (M.B.); (Á.S.); (C.P.)
| | - Carmen Pérez
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, Hospital Clinico Veterinario Complutense, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (E.M.d.M.); (C.F.); (M.B.); (Á.S.); (C.P.)
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Barnes Heller HL, Granick MN, Pinkerton ME, Keuler NS. Case-control study of risk factors for granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2020; 254:822-825. [PMID: 30888272 DOI: 10.2460/javma.254.7.822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify environmental and other variables associated with a diagnosis of granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis (GME) in dogs. DESIGN Case-control study. ANIMALS 31 dogs that received a histologic diagnosis of GME (case dogs) from January 2003 to January 2014 and 91 age- and breed-matched dogs. PROCEDURES Data were obtained from each dog's medical records regarding home address, signalment, body weight, body condition score (BCS), vaccination history, and date of diagnosis (case dogs) or visit (control dogs). Home address data were used to determine the human population density in each dog's geographic region. Seasonal distributions of GME diagnoses in the case group were evaluated for differences. Case and control dogs were compared with respect to the remaining variables. RESULTS For case dogs, no significant difference was identified among seasons in the distribution of GME diagnoses; however, such diagnoses were more common in the spring than in other seasons. No significant differences were identified between case and control dogs in age, body weight, BCS, human population density, season of diagnosis or visit, or time of last vaccination. Although females appeared more likely than males to have a GME diagnosis, this association was not significant and did not change when BCS, time since last vaccination, or human population density was considered. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE None of the evaluated factors, including investigated environmental triggers, were associated with a GME diagnosis in the dogs of this study. Additional research is warranted involving dogs from a broader geographic area.
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Jeffery ND, Barker AK, Alcott CJ, Levine JM, Meren I, Wengert J, Jergens AE, Suchodolski JS. The Association of Specific Constituents of the Fecal Microbiota with Immune-Mediated Brain Disease in Dogs. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0170589. [PMID: 28125651 PMCID: PMC5268494 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0170589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown origin (MUO) is a common, naturally-occurring, clinical disease of pet dogs. It is an immune-mediated condition that has many similarities with experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE) in rodents and so investigation of its pathogenesis may aid in understanding factors that contribute to development of multiple sclerosis in people. Gut microbiota are known to modulate immune responses that influence susceptibility to immune-mediated brain disease. In this study we aimed to compare abundance of specific constituents of the fecal microbiota, namely Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Prevotellaceae, between dogs diagnosed with MUO and matched controls. Fecal samples were obtained from 20 dogs diagnosed with MUO and 20 control dogs matched for breed, age and gender. Bacterial abundance was measured using qPCR and 16S rRNA sequencing. We found that Prevotellaceae were significantly less abundant in cases compared with controls (p = 0.003) but there was no difference in abundance of F.prausnitzii. There was no evidence of other differences in gut microbiota between groups. These data, derived from this naturally-occurring canine clinical model, provide strong corroborative evidence that high abundance of Prevotellaceae in the gut is associated with reduced risk for developing immune-mediated brain disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick D. Jeffery
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United State of America
| | - Andrew K. Barker
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United State of America
| | - Cody J. Alcott
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United State of America
| | - Jon M. Levine
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United State of America
| | - Ilyssa Meren
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United State of America
| | - Jane Wengert
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United State of America
| | - Albert E. Jergens
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United State of America
| | - Jan S. Suchodolski
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United State of America
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12
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Uchida K, Park E, Tsuboi M, Chambers JK, Nakayama H. Pathological and immunological features of canine necrotising meningoencephalitis and granulomatous meningoencephalitis. Vet J 2016; 213:72-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2016.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2015] [Revised: 05/02/2016] [Accepted: 05/03/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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13
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Estey CM, Scott SJ, Cerda-Gonzalez S. Necrotizing meningoencephalitis in a large mixed-breed dog. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2015; 245:1274-8. [PMID: 25406708 DOI: 10.2460/javma.245.11.1274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
CASE DESCRIPTION A 4-year-old 26-kg (57.2-lb) spayed female Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix was evaluated because of a 24-hour history of cluster seizures. CLINICAL FINDINGS Neurologic examination revealed altered mentation and multifocal intracranial signs; MRI was performed. The MRI findings included multifocal, asymmetric forebrain lesions affecting both the gray and white matter, an area suggestive of focal necrosis, and loss of corticomedullary distinction. A midline shift and caudal transtentorial herniation were noted, suggestive of greater than normal intracranial pressure. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME Because the dog's clinical signs worsened despite medical treatment and additional evidence of increased intracranial pressure, bilateral craniectomy and durectomy were performed. Histologic evaluation of a brain biopsy specimen revealed bilateral and asymmetric areas of necrosis in the subcortical white matter and adjacent gray matter. At the periphery of the necrotic areas, there was increased expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein and Virchow-Robin spaces were expanded by CD3+ lymphocytes. Results of immunohistochemical analysis of brain tissue were negative for canine distemper virus, Neospora canis, and Toxoplasma gondii. These clinical, imaging, and histopathologic findings were compatible with necrotizing meningoencephalitis. The dog's neurologic status continued to worsen following surgery. Repeated MRI revealed ongoing signs of increased intracranial pressure, despite the bilateral craniectomy. The owners elected euthanasia. CLINICAL RELEVANCE To the author's knowledge, this is the first report of necrotizing meningoencephalitis in a large mixed-breed dog. Necrotizing meningoencephalitis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in dogs other than small or toy breeds that have signs suggestive of inflammatory disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsie M Estey
- Neurology Service, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
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14
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Pedersen NC, Brucker L, Tessier NG, Liu H, Penedo MCT, Hughes S, Oberbauer A, Sacks B. The effect of genetic bottlenecks and inbreeding on the incidence of two major autoimmune diseases in standard poodles, sebaceous adenitis and Addison's disease. Canine Genet Epidemiol 2015; 2:14. [PMID: 26401342 PMCID: PMC4579369 DOI: 10.1186/s40575-015-0026-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2015] [Accepted: 08/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sebaceous adenitis (SA) and Addison's disease (AD) increased rapidly in incidence among Standard Poodles after the mid-twentieth century. Previous attempts to identify specific genetic causes using genome wide association studies and interrogation of the dog leukocyte antigen (DLA) region have been non-productive. However, such studies led us to hypothesize that positive selection for desired phenotypic traits that arose in the mid-twentieth century led to intense inbreeding and the inadvertent amplification of AD and SA associated traits. RESULTS This hypothesis was tested with genetic studies of 761 Standard, Miniature, and Miniature/Standard Poodle crosses from the USA, Canada and Europe, coupled with extensive pedigree analysis of thousands more dogs. Genome-wide diversity across the world-wide population was measured using a panel of 33 short tandem repeat (STR) loci. Allele frequency data were also used to determine the internal relatedness of individual dogs within the population as a whole. Assays based on linkage between STR genomic loci and DLA genes were used to identify class I and II haplotypes and disease associations. Genetic diversity statistics based on genomic STR markers indicated that Standard Poodles from North America and Europe were closely related and reasonably diverse across the breed. However, genetic diversity statistics, internal relatedness, principal coordinate analysis, and DLA haplotype frequencies showed a marked imbalance with 30 % of the diversity in 70 % of the dogs. Standard Poodles with SA and AD were strongly linked to this inbred population, with dogs suffering with SA being the most inbred. No single strong association was found between STR defined DLA class I or II haplotypes and SA or AD in the breed as a whole, although certain haplotypes present in a minority of the population appeared to confer moderate degrees of risk or protection against either or both diseases. Dogs possessing minor DLA class I haplotypes were half as likely to develop SA or AD as dogs with common haplotypes. Miniature/Standard Poodle crosses being used for outcrossing were more genetically diverse than Standard Poodles and genetically distinguishable across the genome and in the DLA class I and II region. CONCLUSIONS Ancestral genetic polymorphisms responsible for SA and AD entered Standard Poodles through separate lineages, AD earlier and SA later, and were increasingly fixed by a period of close linebreeding that was related to popular bloodlines from the mid-twentieth century. This event has become known as the midcentury bottleneck or MCB. Sustained positive selection resulted in a marked imbalance in genetic diversity across the genome and in the DLA class I and II region. Both SA and AD were concentrated among the most inbred dogs, with genetic outliers being relatively disease free. No specific genetic markers other than those reflecting the degree of inbreeding were consistently associated with either disease. Standard Poodles as a whole remain genetically diverse, but steps should be taken to rebalance diversity using genetic outliers and if necessary, outcrosses to phenotypically similar but genetically distinct breeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels C Pedersen
- Center for Companion Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, One Shields Avenue, 95616 Davis, CA USA
| | - Lynn Brucker
- 1635 Grange Hall Road, 45432 Beavercreek, OH USA
| | | | - Hongwei Liu
- Center for Companion Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, One Shields Avenue, 95616 Davis, CA USA
| | - Maria Cecilia T Penedo
- Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, One Shields Avenue, 95616 Davis, CA USA
| | - Shayne Hughes
- Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, One Shields Avenue, 95616 Davis, CA USA
| | - Anita Oberbauer
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of California, One Shields Avenue, 95616 Davis, CA USA
| | - Ben Sacks
- Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, One Shields Avenue, 95616 Davis, CA USA
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15
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Schrauwen I, Barber RM, Schatzberg SJ, Siniard AL, Corneveaux JJ, Porter BF, Vernau KM, Keesler RI, Matiasek K, Flegel T, Miller AD, Southard T, Mariani CL, Johnson GC, Huentelman MJ. Identification of novel genetic risk loci in Maltese dogs with necrotizing meningoencephalitis and evidence of a shared genetic risk across toy dog breeds. PLoS One 2014; 9:e112755. [PMID: 25393235 PMCID: PMC4231098 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2014] [Accepted: 10/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME) affects toy and small breed dogs causing progressive, often fatal, inflammation and necrosis in the brain. Genetic risk loci for NME previously were identified in pug dogs, particularly associated with the dog leukocyte antigen (DLA) class II complex on chromosome 12, but have not been investigated in other susceptible breeds. We sought to evaluate Maltese and Chihuahua dogs, in addition to pug dogs, to identify novel or shared genetic risk factors for NME development. Genome-wide association testing of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Maltese dogs with NME identified 2 regions of genome-wide significance on chromosomes 4 (chr4:74522353T>A, p = 8.1×10−7) and 15 (chr15:53338796A>G, p = 1.5×10−7). Haplotype analysis and fine-mapping suggests that ILR7 and FBXW7, respectively, both important for regulation of immune system function, could be the underlying associated genes. Further evaluation of these regions and the previously identified DLA II locus across all three breeds, revealed an enrichment of nominal significant SNPs associated with chromosome 15 in pug dogs and DLA II in Maltese and Chihuahua dogs. Meta-analysis confirmed effect sizes the same direction in all three breeds for both the chromosome 15 and DLA II loci (p = 8.6×10–11 and p = 2.5×10−7, respectively). This suggests a shared genetic background exists between all breeds and confers susceptibility to NME, but effect sizes might be different among breeds. In conclusion, we identified the first genetic risk factors for NME development in the Maltese, chromosome 4 and chromosome 15, and provide evidence for a shared genetic risk between breeds associated with chromosome 15 and DLA II. Last, DLA II and IL7R both have been implicated in human inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system such as multiple sclerosis, suggesting that similar pharmacotherapeutic targets across species should be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Schrauwen
- Neurogenomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Renee M. Barber
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Scott J. Schatzberg
- The Animal Neurology and Imaging Center, Algodones, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Ashley L. Siniard
- Neurogenomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Jason J. Corneveaux
- Neurogenomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Brian F. Porter
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Karen M. Vernau
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Rebekah I. Keesler
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Kaspar Matiasek
- Section of Clinical & Comparative Neuropathology, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Flegel
- Department of Small Animal Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Andrew D. Miller
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Teresa Southard
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Christopher L. Mariani
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Gayle C. Johnson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Matthew J. Huentelman
- Neurogenomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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16
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Coates JR, Jeffery ND. Perspectives on Meningoencephalomyelitis of Unknown Origin. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2014; 44:1157-85. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2014.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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17
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Shiel RE, Kennedy LJ, Nolan CM, Mooney CT, Callanan JJ. Major histocompatibility complex class II alleles and haplotypes associated with non-suppurative meningoencephalitis in greyhounds. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 84:271-6. [PMID: 24851745 DOI: 10.1111/tan.12365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2013] [Revised: 03/27/2014] [Accepted: 04/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Non-suppurative meningoencephalitis is a breed-restricted canine neuroinflammatory disorder affecting young greyhounds in Ireland. A genetic risk factor is suspected because of the development of disease in multiple siblings and an inability to identify a causative infectious agent. The aim of this study was to examine potential associations between dog leucocyte antigen (DLA) class II haplotype and the presence of the disease. DLA three locus haplotypes were determined in 31 dogs with non-suppurative meningoencephalitis and in 115 healthy control dogs using sequence-based typing (SBT) methods. All dogs were unrelated at the parental level. Two haplotypes (DRB1*01802/DQA1*00101/DQB1*00802 and DRB1*01501/DQA1*00601/DQB1*02201) were significantly (P = 0.0099 and 0.037) associated with the presence of meningoencephalitis, with odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of 5.531 (1.168-26.19) and 3.736 (1.446-9.652), respectively. These results confirm that there is an association between DLA class II haplotype and greyhound meningoencephalitis, suggesting an immunogenetic risk factor for the development of the disease. Greyhound meningoencephalitis may be a suitable model for human neuroinflammatory diseases with an immunogenetic component.
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Affiliation(s)
- R E Shiel
- Section of Veterinary Clinical Studies, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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18
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Cooper JJ, Schatzberg SJ, Vernau KM, Summers BA, Porter BF, Siso S, Young BD, Levine JM. Necrotizing meningoencephalitis in atypical dog breeds: a case series and literature review. J Vet Intern Med 2013; 28:198-203. [PMID: 24428322 PMCID: PMC4895549 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.12233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2013] [Revised: 08/23/2013] [Accepted: 09/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Canine necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME) is a fatal, noninfectious inflammatory disease of unknown etiology. NME has been reported only in a small number of dog breeds, which has led to the presumption that it is a breed‐restricted disorder. Hypothesis/Objectives Our objective was to describe histopathologically confirmed NME in dog breeds in which the condition has not been reported previously and to provide preliminary evidence that NME affects a wider spectrum of dog breeds than previously reported. Animals Four dogs with NME. Methods Archives from 3 institutions and from 1 author's (BS) collection were reviewed to identify histopathologically confirmed cases of NME in breeds in which the disease has not been reported previously. Age, sex, breed, survival from onset of clinical signs, and histopathologic findings were evaluated. Results Necrotizing meningoencephalitis was identified in 4 small dog breeds (Papillon, Shih Tzu, Coton de Tulear, and Brussels Griffon). Median age at clinical evaluation was 2.5 years. Histopathologic abnormalities included 2 or more of the following: lymphoplasmacytic or histiocytic meningoencephalitis or encephalitis, moderate‐to‐severe cerebrocortical necrosis, variable involvement of other anatomic locations within the brain (cerebellum, brainstem), and absence of detectable infectious agents. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Until now, NME has only been described in 5 small dog breeds. We document an additional 4 small breeds previously not shown to develop NME. Our cases further illustrate that NME is not a breed‐restricted disorder and should be considered in the differential diagnosis for dogs with signalment and clinical signs consistent with inflammatory brain disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- J J Cooper
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
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19
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Barber RM, Schatzberg SJ, Corneveaux JJ, Allen AN, Porter BF, Pruzin JJ, Platt SR, Kent M, Huentelman MJ. Identification of risk loci for necrotizing meningoencephalitis in Pug dogs. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 102 Suppl 1:S40-6. [PMID: 21846746 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esr048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Due to their unique population structure, purebred dogs have emerged as a key model for the study of complex genetic disorders. To evaluate the utility of a newly available high-density canine whole-genome array with >170,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), genome-wide association was performed on a small number of case and control dogs to determine disease susceptibility loci in canine necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME), a disorder with known non-Mendelian inheritance that shares clinical similarities with atypical variants of multiple sclerosis in humans. Genotyping of 30 NME-affected Pug dogs and 68 healthy control Pugs identified 2 loci associated with NME, including a region within dog leukocyte antigen class II on chromosome 12 that remained significant after Bonferroni correction. Our results support the utility of this high-density SNP array, confirm that dogs are a powerful model for mapping complex genetic disorders and provide important preliminary data to support in depth genetic analysis of NME in numerous affected breeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renee M Barber
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
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20
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Pedersen NC, Liu H, Greenfield DL, Echols LG. Multiple autoimmune diseases syndrome in Italian Greyhounds: preliminary studies of genome-wide diversity and possible associations within the dog leukocyte antigen (DLA) complex. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2011; 145:264-76. [PMID: 22178273 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2011.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2011] [Revised: 10/24/2011] [Accepted: 11/17/2011] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
A disorder manifested by multiple autoimmune disorders, and resembling autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 2 (APS-2) in humans, may exist in Italian Greyhounds. The incidence of this disorder is increasing and its potential impact on the health of the breed is becoming of great concern. The aims of the present study were to document the existence of this syndrome, conduct a preliminary assessment of genetic diversity across the breed and within affected and unaffected dogs, determine whether the disorder associates with the dog leukocyte antigen (DLA) complex, and demonstrate similarities to APS-2 of humans. To these ends, information on disease, pedigrees, and blood or buccal swab samples were collected from affected and healthy Italian Greyhounds and extracted DNA analyzed. Analysis of Y chromosome markers and mitochondrial DNA sequences showed that Italian Greyhounds evolved from a single patriline and two major and four minor matrilines. A panel of 24 highly polymorphic simple tandem repeat (STR) markers across 20 autosomes demonstrated that affected and unaffected dogs were not distinguishable from the population as a whole by heterozygosity, F-statistics, and principal component analysis (PCA). However, analysis of allele frequencies at each STR loci identified regions of increased or decreased disease risk on four chromosomes. A similar genetic analysis using 109 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across the DLA region showed differences between affected and unaffected dogs. PCA and zygosity mapping of DLA SNPs from unrelated dogs demonstrated two distinct subpopulations among the affected individuals. One population was very homozygous and the other closely resembled unaffected dogs in its heterozygosity, suggesting the evolution of a disease prone bloodline as a result of non-random selection. Exon 2 sequencing of the DLA class II genes demonstrated 5-8 alleles at each locus and 14 three loci haplotypes. Two specific haplotypes containing DRB1*00203 or DRB1*02901 were associated with increased disease risk in about one-third of affected dogs. However, high density SNP association mapping across the DLA region and CFA12 did not corroborate the association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels C Pedersen
- Center for Companion Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
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21
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Safra N, Pedersen NC, Wolf Z, Johnson EG, Liu HW, Hughes AM, Young A, Bannasch DL. Expanded dog leukocyte antigen (DLA) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping reveals spurious class II associations. Vet J 2011; 189:220-6. [PMID: 21741283 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2011.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The dog leukocyte antigen (DLA) system contains many of the functional genes of the immune system, thereby making it a candidate region for involvement in immune-mediated disorders. A number of studies have identified associations between specific DLA class II haplotypes and canine immune hemolytic anemia, thyroiditis, immune polyarthritis, type I diabetes mellitus, hypoadrenocorticism, systemic lupus erythematosus-related disease complex, necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME) and anal furunculosis. These studies have relied on sequencing approximately 300 bases of exon 2 of each of the DLA class II genes: DLA-DRB1, DLA-DQA1 and DLA-DQB1. In the present study, an association (odds ratio=4.29) was identified by this method between Weimaraner dogs with hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD) and DLA-DRB1∗01501. To fine map the association with HOD, a genotyping assay of 126 coding single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from across the entire DLA, spanning a region of 2.5 Mb (3,320,000-5,830,000) on CFA12, was developed and tested on Weimaraners with HOD, as well as two additional breeds with diseases associated with DLA class II: Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers with hypoadrenocorticism and Pug dogs with NME. No significant associations were found between Weimaraners with HOD or Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers with hypoadrenocorticism and SNPs spanning the DLA region. In contrast, significant associations were found with NME in Pug dogs, although the associated region extended beyond the class II genes. By including a larger number of genes from a larger genomic region, a SNP genotyping assay was generated that provides coverage of the extended DLA region and may be useful in identifying and fine mapping DLA associations in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Safra
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA.
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Pedersen N, Liu H, Millon L, Greer K. Dog leukocyte antigen class II-associated genetic risk testing for immune disorders of dogs: simplified approaches using Pug dog necrotizing meningoencephalitis as a model. J Vet Diagn Invest 2011; 23:68-76. [PMID: 21217030 DOI: 10.1177/104063871102300110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A significantly increased risk for a number of autoimmune and infectious diseases in purebred and mixed-breed dogs has been associated with certain alleles or allele combinations of the dog leukocyte antigen (DLA) class II complex containing the DRB1, DQA1, and DQB1 genes. The exact level of risk depends on the specific disease, the alleles in question, and whether alleles exist in a homozygous or heterozygous state. The gold standard for identifying high-risk alleles and their zygosity has involved direct sequencing of the exon 2 regions of each of the 3 genes. However, sequencing and identification of specific alleles at each of the 3 loci are relatively expensive and sequencing techniques are not ideal for additional parentage or identity determination. However, it is often possible to get the same information from sequencing only 1 gene given the small number of possible alleles at each locus in purebred dogs, extensive homozygosity, and tendency for disease-causing alleles at each of the 3 loci to be strongly linked to each other into haplotypes. Therefore, genetic testing in purebred dogs with immune diseases can be often simplified by sequencing alleles at 1 rather than 3 loci. Further simplification of genetic tests for canine immune diseases can be achieved by the use of alternative genetic markers in the DLA class II region that are also strongly linked with the disease genotype. These markers consist of either simple tandem repeats or single nucleotide polymorphisms that are also in strong linkage with specific DLA class II genotypes and/or haplotypes. The current study uses necrotizing meningoencephalitis of Pug dogs as a paradigm to assess simple alternative genetic tests for disease risk. It was possible to attain identical necrotizing meningoencephalitis risk assessments to 3-locus DLA class II sequencing by sequencing only the DQB1 gene, using 3 DLA class II-linked simple tandem repeat markers, or with a small single nucleotide polymorphism array designed to identify breed-specific DQB1 alleles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels Pedersen
- Center for Companion Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
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Shiel RE, Mooney CT, Brennan SF, Nolan CM, Callanan JJ. Clinical and clinicopathological features of non-suppurative meningoencephalitis in young greyhounds in Ireland. Vet Rec 2010; 167:333-7. [PMID: 20802187 DOI: 10.1136/vr.c4248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The clinical and clinicopathological features of non-suppurative meningoencephalitis in 30 greyhounds were reviewed. The dogs were from 21 separate litters, comprised both sexes (16 males and 14 females) and ranged in age from five to 18 months. In 14 (66.7 per cent) litters, more than one case was suspected or confirmed, and the number of siblings affected within individual litters ranged from one to seven. Clinical signs were progressive and varied from five days to 12 months in duration; 12 dogs had signs of two weeks' duration or less. The rate of progression of signs was variable. Common features included dullness or lethargy (22), altered behaviour (21), proprioceptive and postural reaction deficits (18), circling (17), ataxia (17), decreased appetite (15) and weight loss (13). No consistent haematological or biochemical abnormalities were identified and serology failed to implicate Toxoplasma gondii or Neospora caninum. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed mild or moderate mononuclear pleocytosis in 12 (70.6 per cent) of 17 dogs. No definitive antemortem diagnosis could be made in any affected dog.
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Affiliation(s)
- R E Shiel
- Section of Veterinary Clinical Studies, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
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Barber RM, Li Q, Diniz PPVP, Porter BF, Breitschwerdt EB, Claiborne MK, Birkenheuer AJ, Levine JM, Levine GJ, Chandler K, Kenny P, Nghiem P, Wei S, Greene CE, Kent M, Platt SR, Greer K, Schatzberg SJ. Evaluation of brain tissue or cerebrospinal fluid with broadly reactive polymerase chain reaction for Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, spotted fever group Rickettsia, Bartonella, and Borrelia species in canine neurological diseases (109 cases). J Vet Intern Med 2010; 24:372-8. [PMID: 20102497 DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2009.0466.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vector-transmitted microorganisms in the genera Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Rickettsia, Bartonella, and Borrelia are commonly suspected in dogs with meningoencephalomyelitis (MEM), but the prevalence of these pathogens in brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of dogs with MEM is unknown. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES To determine if DNA from these genera is present in brain tissue and CSF of dogs with MEM, including those with meningoencephalitis of unknown etiology (MUE) and histopathologically confirmed cases of granulomatous (GME) and necrotizing meningoencephalomyelitis (NME). ANIMALS Hundred and nine dogs examined for neurological signs at 3 university referral hospitals. METHODS Brain tissue and CSF were collected prospectively from dogs with neurological disease and evaluated by broadly reactive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia, Bartonella, and Borrelia species. Medical records were evaluated retrospectively to identify MEM and control cases. RESULTS Seventy-five cases of MUE, GME, or NME, including brain tissue from 31 and CSF from 44 cases, were evaluated. Brain tissue from 4 cases and inflammatory CSF from 30 cases with infectious, neoplastic, compressive, vascular, or malformative disease were evaluated as controls. Pathogen nucleic acids were detected in 1 of 109 cases evaluated. Specifically, Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii DNA was amplified from 1/6 dogs with histopathologically confirmed GME. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE The results of this investigation suggest that microorganisms in the genera Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Rickettsia, and Borrelia are unlikely to be directly associated with canine MEM in the geographic regions evaluated. The role of Bartonella in the pathogenesis of GME warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- R M Barber
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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Greer KA, Wong AK, Liu H, Famula TR, Pedersen NC, Ruhe A, Wallace M, Neff MW. Necrotizing meningoencephalitis of Pug dogs associates with dog leukocyte antigen class II and resembles acute variant forms of multiple sclerosis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 76:110-8. [PMID: 20403140 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-0039.2010.01484.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME) is a disorder of Pug Dogs that appears to have an immune etiology and high heritability based on population studies. The present study was undertaken to identify a genetic basis for the disease. A genome-wide association scan with single tandem repeat (STR) markers showed a single strong association near the dog leukocyte antigen (DLA) complex on CFA12. Fine resolution mapping with 27 STR markers on CFA12 further narrowed association to the region containing DLA-DRB1, -DQA1 and, -DQB1 genes. Sequencing confirmed that affected dogs were more likely to be homozygous for specific alleles at each locus and that these alleles were linked, forming a single high risk haplotype. The strong DLA class II association of NME in Pug Dogs resembles that of human multiple sclerosis (MS). Like MS, NME appears to have an autoimmune basis, involves genetic and nongenetic factors, has a relatively low incidence, is more frequent in females than males, and is associated with a vascularly orientated nonsuppurative inflammation. However, NME of Pug Dogs is more aggressive in disease course than classical human MS, appears to be relatively earlier in onset, and involves necrosis rather than demyelination as the central pathobiologic feature. Thus, Pug Dog encephalitis (PDE) shares clinical features with the less common acute variant forms of MS. Accordingly, NME of Pug Dogs may represent a naturally occurring canine model of certain idiopathic inflammatory disorders of the human central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- K A Greer
- School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Indiana University East, Richmond, IN 47374, USA.
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Behr S. Binding truth and time. J Small Anim Pract 2010; 51:135-6. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.2010.00918.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Talarico LR, Schatzberg SJ. Idiopathic granulomatous and necrotising inflammatory disorders of the canine central nervous system: a review and future perspectives. J Small Anim Pract 2010; 51:138-49. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.2009.00823.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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