Skin diseases of the Chinese Shar-Pei

Case report: Sublingual mucinosis in a dog

A 11-month-old male intact Shar-Pei (26. 5 kg) was presented for a bilateral sublingual swelling of 4 months duration. The exploration of the oral cavity highlighted the presence of bilateral sublingual swellings, primarily consistent with bilateral ranula. The bilateral disease was treated with two subsequent surgeries 4 weeks apart. During the surgery, after removing an elliptical portion of the mucosa of the sublingual swelling, the presence of gelatinous tissue was visualized, and no saliva was present. The result of histological exam was oral mucinosis. At the subsequent follow-up the dog was in excellent conditions, without any symptoms. 1 month after the last operation, the dog underwent a visit in sedation to better evaluate the oral cavity. Both surgical sites were well-healed and without the presence of relapses. Upon 8 months follow-up the patient remained free of disease. This is the first reported case of oral mucinosis in sublingual mucosa in dogs. In this case the surgical treatment was curative.

On the fit of skins with a particular focus on the biomechanics of loose skins of hagfishes

There is a considerable diversity in how skins fit. Here, we review the function of both tight and loose skins and note that the latter are poorly understood. Analysis of loose skin examples suggest five functional categories: (I) freedom of movement, (II) surface area enhancement, (III) increased structural extensibility, (IV) lubrication, and (V) maladaptive examples arising through sexual or artificial selection. We investigate the skins of hagfishes as a model for understanding loose skin function by examining its structure using histology, standardized puncture resistance testing using the ASTM F1306 protocol, and the effect of internal pressure using a simple inflated balloon model. Skins of hagfishes are composed of multiple layers of cross-helically wound connective tissue fibers of a 45° angle to the longitudinal axis, resulting in a skin that functions as fabric cut “on the bias”. Hagfish skins are relatively yielding; however, skin looseness adds a “structural extensibility” that may allow hagfishes to compensate for low puncture resistance. Physical balloon models, with stiff cores that limit length changes, show that only low pressures allow short loop radii without local buckling. Hagfishes represent ideal organisms for studying loose skin function because their skins seem to fit in all functionally adaptive categories.

Inflammatory, immunological, and intestinal disease biomarkers in Chinese Shar-Pei dogs with marked hypocobalaminemia

Chinese Shar-Pei dogs have a high prevalence of hypocobalaminemia and are commonly presented with clinical signs suggestive of severe and long-standing gastrointestinal disease such as diarrhea, vomiting, and/or weight loss. The aim of the current study was to evaluate serum concentrations of inflammatory markers, markers for intestinal disease, and immunological markers in Shar-Peis with hypocobalaminemia or normocobalaminemia (serum cobalamin concentrations within the reference interval). Serum samples from Shar-Peis were collected from various parts of the United States. Serum concentrations of inflammatory markers (i.e., C-reactive protein [CRP], calprotectin [CP], and S100A12), hyaluronic acid (HA, a marker for cutaneous mucinosis), and analytes commonly altered in chronic intestinal diseases (i.e., albumin, zinc, alpha1-proteinease inhibitor [α1PI], immunoglobulin [Ig]A, and IgM) were compared between Shar-Peis with hypocobalaminemia and Shar-Peis with normocobalaminemia. Serum concentrations of CRP, CP, S100A12, HA, zinc, and cα1-PI concentrations did not differ between hypocobalaminemic and normocobalaminemic Shar-Peis (P > 0.05). Serum concentrations of albumin were significantly lower in hypocobalaminemic Shar-Peis (median: 2.5 g/dl) than in normocobalaminemic Shar-Peis (median: 2.9 g/dl; P < 0.0001). Higher serum IgA concentrations and lower serum IgM concentrations were observed in hypocobalaminemic Shar-Peis (median: 1.7 g/l and 0.8 g/l, respectively) than in normocobalaminemic Shar-Peis (median: 0.7 g/l and 1.9 g/l, respectively; both P < 0.0001). In conclusion, no difference was found in serum concentrations of CRP, CP, S100A12, and HA between hypocobalaminemic and normocobalaminemic Shar-Peis whereas some differences were observed in analytes (e.g., albumin, IgA, and IgM) that may be altered in patients with chronic enteropathies.

Cutaneous mucinosis in a strain of brown-egg laying chickens

Cutaneous mucinosis is a cutaneous disorder described in humans, dogs, and rarely cats but never reported in birds. Twenty-six brown egg-laying chickens between ages 43 and 46 weeks had a history of feather loss, scaly, dry skin, weight loss, and decreased egg production. Microscopic findings in the skin included fragmentation of collagen bundles and interstitial, periadnexal, and perivascular dermal accumulation of wispy, mildly basophilic material that was also occasionally observed within the follicular epithelium. A moderate lymphoplasmacytic and heterophilic perivascular dermatitis was also observed. The wispy to granular material was diffusely Alcian blue positive and periodic acid-Schiff negative (consistent with mucin), suggesting a diagnosis of primary or secondary cutaneous mucinosis. The cause of this condition could not be determined.

Cutaneous infiltrates and peripheral blood immune responses in dogs with immunomodulatory-responsive lymphocytic-plasmacytic pododermatitis

This study characterizes T- and B-lymphocyte responses in the peripheral blood and lesional skin of dogs with immunomodulatory-responsive lymphocytic-plasmacytic pododermatitis (ImR-LPP), a term previously proposed to denote a subpopulation of dogs with idiopathic pododermatitis. T-cell (CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ ) and B-cell (CD21+) counts were significantly increased in both the epidermis and dermis of lesional ImR-LPP skin compared with that in pedal skin from healthy controls. CD3+ , CD4+, CD8+ and CD21+ cells were commonly observed in perivascular sites in the superficial dermis, periadnexally, beneath the dermal-epidermal (DE) junction and in the epidermis of lesional ImR-LPP skin. The CD8+ /CD3+ T-cell ratio in peripheral blood was significantly increased in the ImR-LPP group (0.42 versus 0.35 in controls). Serum IgA, IgG and IgM concentrations were all significantly elevated in affected dogs. Lymphocyte stimulation indices in ImR-LPP dogs were comparable with control levels except for a lower response to ionomycin (6.0 versus 11.1). Dogs with ImR-LPP had a higher incidence and mean (semi-quantitative) score for IgA, IgG and IgM deposits in the epidermis, and a significantly increased incidence of dermal IgA+, IgG+ and IgM+ mononuclear inflammatory cells. The results indicate that upregulated T- and B-lymphocyte responses may contribute to the pathogenesis of the skin lesions observed in dogs with ImR-LPP.

Feline entropion: a case series of 50 affected animals (2003-2008)

AIM

To evaluate the signalment, clinical signs, and etiopathogenesis of entropion in 50 cats.

METHODS

Signalment and history of 50 cases of entropion in cats presented to a referral ophthalmology clinic. Animals were examined with direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy and slit-lamp biomicroscopy. Animals were treated surgically with a Hotz-Celsus procedure and results of surgery were evaluated between 4 and 22 weeks.

RESULTS

Sixteen cats were young (mean age 4.1 +/- 3.6 years) with pre-existing irritative ocular surface conditions such as conjunctivitis, corneal ulceration or sequestrum. Twenty-six cats were relatively older (mean age 11.3 +/- 2.2 years) with involutional entropion with or without enophthalmos, presumed to result from a reduction in orbital tissue. Five cats were Persians with entropion associated with brachycephalic facial anatomy, whereas three were entire young adult male Maine Coones with in-turning associated with excessive facial 'jowl' tissue. Surgical treatment was curative in the majority of cases after one surgery although an increased amount of eyelid tissue was required to be removed for correction compared with similar surgery in the dog.

DISCUSSION

This study has shown that entropion in cats may be caused in young animals as a result of continued blepharospasm related to irritative causes such as conjunctivitis or corneal ulceration or in older animals with lid laxity or globe enophthalmos. Lid in-turning was also seen in Persian and Maine Coone breeds.

Cutaneous mucinosis in shar-pei dogs is due to hyaluronic acid deposition and is associated with high levels of hyaluronic acid in serum

Cutaneous mucinosis affects primarily shar-pei dogs. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is considered to be the main component of mucin and CD44 is the major cell surface receptor of HA, necessary for its uptake and catabolism. The aims of this study were to identify the composition of the mucin in cutaneous mucinosis of shar-pei dogs, investigate the correlation between the deposition of HA and the expression of CD44, and determine whether shar-pei dogs with cutaneous mucinosis presented with elevated levels of serum HA. In skin biopsies, the mucinous material was stained intensely with Alcian blue and bound strongly by the hyaluronan-binding protein. No correlation was found between the degree of HA deposition in the dermis and the expression of CD44 in the skin of shar-pei dogs affected or unaffected by cutaneous mucinosis. A clear positive correlation was found between the existence of clinical mucinosis and the serum HA concentration. In control dogs, serum HA ranged from 155.53 to 301.62 microg L(-1) in shar-pei dogs; without mucinosis it ranged from 106.72 to 1251.76 microg L(-1) and in shar-pei dogs with severe mucinosis it ranged between 843.51 to 2330.03 microg L(-1). Altogether, the results reported here suggest that mucinosis of shar-pei dogs is probably the consequence of a genetic defect in the metabolism of HA.

Canine pododermatitis and idiopathic disease

Pododermatitis is a common inflammatory skin disease of dogs. As pedal lesions are reported in many canine dermatoses, a methodical series of diagnostic tests is required to establish the underlying aetiology. However, laboratory/ancillary investigations may prove unrewarding, prompting a diagnosis of idiopathic disease. Various hypotheses have been proposed to explain the pathogenesis of idiopathic pododermatitis including pedal conformation, trauma, immunosuppression, bacterial infection, furunculosis and dermal granuloma formation. Idiopathic pododermatitis accounts for 0.5% of all dermatology referrals to the authors' clinic. A sub-group within this population is characterised histopathologically by epidermal hyperplasia, hyperkeratosis, spongiosis, dermal oedema and perivascular aggregates of lymphocytes and plasma cells. The term lymphocytic-plasmacytic pododermatitis (LPP) has previously been proposed to reflect the histological appearance of such lesions. Affected dogs, although systemically well, characteristically have pruritus, erythema, swelling, pain and alopecia of the feet. Although non-responsive to antimicrobial therapy, antiparasitic agents and elimination diets, these dogs typically respond well to immunomodulatory therapy.

A study of dendritic cell and MHC class II expression in dogs with immunomodulatory-responsive lymphocytic-plasmacytic pododermatitis

The term immunomodulatory-responsive lymphocytic-plasmacytic pododermatitis (ImR-LPP) has previously been proposed to denote a sub-population of dogs with idiopathic pododermatitis. The objective of this study was to investigate dendritic cell (DC) and MHC class II antigen expression in lesional skin of dogs with ImR-LPP (n=47). Median epidermal CD1c(+) cell counts were 37.8 and 12.5 mm(-1) in ImR-LPP dogs and healthy controls (n=27), respectively (P<0.01), while the corresponding dermal cell counts were 180.9 and 45.0 mm(-2), respectively (P<0.01). Intra-epidermal clusters of DCs were observed in 18/47 dogs with ImR-LPP. Median epidermal MHC class II(+) cell counts were 32.5 and 10.5 mm(-1) in ImR-LPP dogs and healthy controls, respectively (P<0.01), while the corresponding dermal cell counts were 216.9 and 46.9 mm(-2), respectively (P<0.01). Dermal MHC class II(+) staining was primarily associated with DCs (47/47 dogs), mononuclear inflammatory cells (45/47), fibroblast-like cells (19/47) and vascular endothelium (14/47). The DC hyperplasia and increased MHC class II expression in lesional ImR-LPP skin are consistent with enhanced antigen presentation, and suggest that both parameters may contribute to the pathogenesis of ImR-LPP through the priming and activation of CD4(+) T cells. Equally, it is possible that the enhanced DC numbers observed in this study may contribute to the immunoregulation of steady-state pathology in lesional ImR-LPP skin through additional expanded, although as yet unresolved, mechanisms.

Evaluation of Th1-like, Th2-like and immunomodulatory cytokine mRNA expression in the skin of dogs with immunomodulatory-responsive lymphocytic-plasmacytic pododermatitis

The term immunomodulatory-responsive lymphocytic-plasmacytic pododermatitis (ImR-LPP) has previously been proposed to denote a subpopulation of dogs with idiopathic pododermatitis. The objective of this study was to quantify the expression of mRNA encoding Th(1)-like [interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-12], Th(2)-like [IL-4 and IL-6] and immunomodulatory cytokines [IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta] in lesional ImR-LPP, nonlesional ImR-LPP and healthy control pedal skin. Gene transcripts were quantified using TaqMan real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assays. The skin of dogs with ImR-LPP had significant overexpression of IL-6 mRNA (P < 0.05) and significant underexpression of IL-12 mRNA (P < 0.01) compared to healthy controls. In addition, lesional ImR-LPP skin had significantly higher levels of IL-10 transcripts compared to healthy control pedal skin (P < 0.05). Although not attaining significance (P = 0.07), a trend towards reduced TGF-beta mRNA expression in lesional ImR-LPP skin was also evident. There were no significant differences in the levels of IFN-gamma or IL-2 mRNA transcripts among the three skin sample sources. IL-4 mRNA was detected in only one lesional sample. These results suggest that the pathogenesis of ImR-LPP may be associated with a T-cell-mediated inflammatory response characterized by impaired Th(1)-like, but enhanced Th(2)-like cytokine expression.

Clinical, immunological and histopathological findings in a subpopulation of dogs with pododermatitis

Clinical, immunological and histopathological findings in 20 adult dogs of varying breeds with chronic (>or=6 months) inflammation confined to the pedal skin were compared over a 2-year period with those of a group of age-matched controls (n=20). All affected dogs were pruritic but systemically well. Lesions were present on all four feet in 18/20 cases. Affected feet were characteristically erythematous, swollen, painful and alopecic. Sinus tracts were evident in 4/20 dogs. Despite a methodical series of diagnostic tests, no underlying cause was identified. None of the dogs responded to antimicrobial therapy administered for 8 weeks, none had evidence of ectoparasitism and none satisfied the criteria for atopic dermatitis. There was no response to a dietary trial using a novel protein source. The condition was characterized histopathologically by epidermal hyperplasia, hyperkeratosis, spongiosis, dermal oedema and perivascular aggregates of lymphocytes and plasma cells. Clinical signs did not correlate with histopathological findings. Affected dogs had significantly elevated serum IgG and IgM concentrations. The results of lymphocyte proliferation assays and phenotypic studies to determine the relative percentage of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ and CD21+ lymphocyte subsets, and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ cells were not significantly different between groups. No age, sex or seasonal predilections were noted. All dogs subsequently responded to immunosuppressive doses of prednisolone or cyclosporin. The term immunomodulatory-responsive lymphocytic-plasmacytic pododermatitis is proposed to denote what may be a previously unrecognized condition in some dogs with pododermatitis of undetermined aetiology.