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Flegel T, Dirauf C, Kehl A, Dietzel J, Holtdirk A, Langbein-Detsch I, Müller E. Clinical Signs in 166 Beagles with Different Genotypes of Lafora. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:122. [PMID: 38275603 PMCID: PMC10815021 DOI: 10.3390/genes15010122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Lafora disease (LD) is a genetic disease affecting beagles, resulting in seizures in combination with other signs. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical signs of LD in beagles with different NHLRC1 genotypes. One hundred and sixty-six beagles were tested for an NHLRC1 gene defect: L/L (n = 67), N/L (n = 32), N/N (n = 67). Owners were asked to participate in a survey about the clinical signs of LD in their dogs. These were recorded for the three possible genotypes in the two age groups, <6 years and ≥6 years. In all genotypes, nearly all the signs of LD were described. In the age group ≥ 6 years, however, they were significantly more frequent in beagles with the L/L genotype. If the following three clinical signs occur together in a beagle ≥ 6 years-jerking of the head, photosensitivity and forgetting things he/she used to be able to do-98.2% of these dogs are correctly assigned to the L/L genotype. If one or two of these signs are missing, the correct classification decreases to 92.1% and 13.2%, respectively. Only the combination of certain signs truly indicates the L/L genotype. Yet, for many dogs, only genetic testing will provide confirmation of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Flegel
- Department for Small Animals, Veterinary Faculty, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;
| | - Christine Dirauf
- Department of Molecular Biology, Laboklin GmbH & Co. KG, 97688 Bad Kissingen, Germany; (C.D.); (A.K.); (I.L.-D.); (E.M.)
| | - Alexandra Kehl
- Department of Molecular Biology, Laboklin GmbH & Co. KG, 97688 Bad Kissingen, Germany; (C.D.); (A.K.); (I.L.-D.); (E.M.)
| | - Josephine Dietzel
- Department for Small Animals, Veterinary Faculty, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;
| | | | - Ines Langbein-Detsch
- Department of Molecular Biology, Laboklin GmbH & Co. KG, 97688 Bad Kissingen, Germany; (C.D.); (A.K.); (I.L.-D.); (E.M.)
| | - Elisabeth Müller
- Department of Molecular Biology, Laboklin GmbH & Co. KG, 97688 Bad Kissingen, Germany; (C.D.); (A.K.); (I.L.-D.); (E.M.)
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Moura E, Tasqueti UI, Mangrich-Rocha RMV, Filho JRE, de Farias MR, Pimpão CT. Inborn Errors of Metabolism in Dogs: Historical, Metabolic, Genetic, and Clinical Aspects. Top Companion Anim Med 2022; 51:100731. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tcam.2022.100731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Ahonen S, Seath I, Rusbridge C, Holt S, Key G, Wang T, Wang P, Minassian BA. Correction to: Nationwide genetic testing towards eliminating Lafora disease from Miniature Wirehaired Dachshunds in the United Kingdom. Canine Med Genet 2021; 8:14. [PMID: 34961559 PMCID: PMC8711151 DOI: 10.1186/s40575-021-00104-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Saija Ahonen
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Ian Seath
- Dachshund Breed Council, Wrington, North Somerset, UK
| | - Clare Rusbridge
- Fitzpatrick Referrals Orthopedics and Neurology, Halfway Lane, Eashing, Godalming, Surrey, UK.,School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, UK
| | - Susan Holt
- Dachshund Breed Council, Wrington, North Somerset, UK
| | - Gill Key
- Dachshund Breed Council, Wrington, North Somerset, UK
| | - Travis Wang
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Peixiang Wang
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Berge A Minassian
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, Canada. .,Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern, 5323 Harry Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75390-9063, USA.
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Menchetti M, Antinori L, Serra GD, Bertolini G, Rosati M. Clinical features, imaging characteristics, genetic investigation and histopathologic findings in a Chihuahua dog with Lafora disease. VETERINARY RECORD CASE REPORTS 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/vrc2.206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marika Menchetti
- Neurology and Neurosurgery Division San Marco Private Veterinary Clinic Veggiano Italy
| | - Lucia Antinori
- Neurology and Neurosurgery Division San Marco Private Veterinary Clinic Veggiano Italy
| | - Giulia Dalla Serra
- Dagnostic and Interventional Radiology Division San Marco Private Veterinary Clinic Veggiano Italy
| | - Giovanna Bertolini
- Dagnostic and Interventional Radiology Division San Marco Private Veterinary Clinic Veggiano Italy
| | - Marco Rosati
- Section of Clinical & Comparative Neuropathology Ludwig‐Maximilians‐Universität Munchen Germany
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Flegel T, Kornberg M, Mühlhause F, Neumann S, Fischer A, Wielaender F, König F, Pakozdy A, Quitt PR, Trapp AM, Jurina K, Steffen F, Rentmeister KW, Flieshardt C, Dietzel J. A retrospective case series of clinical signs in 28 Beagles with Lafora disease. J Vet Intern Med 2021; 35:2359-2365. [PMID: 34486182 PMCID: PMC8478043 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical signs and their progression in Beagles with Lafora disease are poorly described. OBJECTIVES To describe clinical signs in Beagles with Lafora disease. ANIMALS Twenty-eight Beagles with Lafora disease confirmed by genetic testing or histopathology. METHODS Retrospective multicenter case series. Data regarding signalment, clinical signs, diagnostic tests and treatment were retrieved from hospital data files. A questionnaire was sent to owners asking about neurological deficits, changes in cognitive functions, behavioral changes, response to treatment and survival time. RESULTS Onset of clinical signs was 8.3 years (mean; range, 6.3-13.3). All dogs had myoclonic episodes as an initial clinical sign with tonic-clonic seizures in n = 11/28 (39%) and n = 12/28 (43%) later developing tonic-clonic seizures. Deficits of coordination (n = 21/25; 84%), impaired vision (n = 15/26; 58%), and impaired hearing (n = 13/26; 50%) developed later. Mental decline was observed as loss of house training (urination; n = 8/25; 32%), difficulties performing learned tasks (n = 9/25; 36%), and difficulties learning new tasks (n = 7/23; 30%). Common behavioral changes were: increased photosensitivity (n = 20/26; 77%), staring into space (n = 16/25; 64%), reduced stress resistance (n = 15/26; 58%), increased noise sensitivity (n = 14/26; 54%), and separation anxiety (n = 11/25; 44%). Twenty-one dogs were alive (median age 11.9 years; range, 9.8-18.6), and 7 dogs were dead (mean age 12.1 years; SD: 1.3; range, 10.5-12.6) at time of writing. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Lafora disease in Beagles causes significant behavioral changes, and mental decline as well as neurological deficits in addition to myoclonic episodes and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Nevertheless, a relatively normal life span can be expected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Flegel
- Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineLeipzig UniversityLeipzigGermany
| | | | | | | | - Andrea Fischer
- Centre for Clinical Veterinary MedicineLMU MunichMunichGermany
| | | | | | - Akos Pakozdy
- University Clinic for Small AnimalsUniversity of Veterinary MedicineViennaAustria
| | | | | | | | - Frank Steffen
- Neurology Service, Department of Small Animals, Vetsuisse FacultyUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Kai W. Rentmeister
- Specialty Practice for Veterinary Neurology and NeurosurgeryDettelbachGermany
| | | | - Josephine Dietzel
- Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineLeipzig UniversityLeipzigGermany
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Mari L, Comero G, Mueller E, Kuehnlein P, Kehl A. NHLRC1 homozygous dodecamer expansion in a Newfoundland dog with Lafora disease. J Small Anim Pract 2021; 62:1030-1032. [PMID: 34263924 DOI: 10.1111/jsap.13396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Lafora disease is a genetic disease caused, in humans, by mutations in EPM2A and NHLRC1 genes, resulting in accumulation of polyglucosan bodies within neurons. Affected subjects present progressive neurological signs characterised primarily by myoclonic epilepsy. In dogs, Lafora disease has been described mainly in miniature wire-haired Dachshunds, where a dodecamer expansion in NHLRC1 gene has been identified. The same mutation has then been detected in the Basset Hound, Beagle, Chihuahua and Pembroke Welsh Corgi breeds. This is the first case of a Newfoundland dog with myoclonic epilepsy diagnosed with Lafora disease based on confirmed dodecamer expansion in the NHLRC1 gene. Lafora disease is being progressively recognised in different unrelated breeds suggesting a wider distribution in the canine population than previously thought.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Mari
- Neurology and Neurosurgery Department, Istituto Veterinario di Novara, Granozzo con Monticello, 28060, Italy
| | - G Comero
- Neurology and Neurosurgery Department, Istituto Veterinario di Novara, Granozzo con Monticello, 28060, Italy
| | - E Mueller
- Laboklin GmbH&Co. KG, Bad Kissingen, 97688, Germany
| | - P Kuehnlein
- Laboklin GmbH&Co. KG, Bad Kissingen, 97688, Germany
| | - A Kehl
- Laboklin GmbH&Co. KG, Bad Kissingen, 97688, Germany
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Jones GMC, Volk HA, Packer RMA. Research priorities for idiopathic epilepsy in dogs: Viewpoints of owners, general practice veterinarians, and neurology specialists. J Vet Intern Med 2021; 35:1466-1479. [PMID: 33960544 PMCID: PMC8162594 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epilepsy is the most common chronic neurological disease in dogs that adversely affects the quality of life (QoL) of affected dogs and their owners. Research on epilepsy in dogs is expanding internationally, but where best to focus limited research time, funds, and expertise to achieve better outcomes for affected dogs and their owners has not been studied. OBJECTIVE To explore idiopathic epilepsy (IE) research priorities of owners of dogs with IE, general practice veterinarians, and veterinary neurologists. METHODS An international online survey was conducted in 2016 and repeated in 2020. Participants rated the absolute importance and relative rank of 18 areas of IE research, which were compared between groups and time points. RESULTS Valid responses were received from 414 respondents in 2016 and 414 respondents in 2020. The development of new anti-seizure drugs (ASD) and improving the existing ASD management were considered the most important research priorities. Areas of research with increasing priority between 2016 and 2020 included non-ASD management, with the greatest potential seen in behavioral and dietary-based interventions. Disagreements in priorities were identified between groups; owners prioritized issues that impacted their and their dog's QoL, for example, adverse effects and comorbidities, whereas general practitioner vets and neurologists prioritized clinical issues and longer-term strategies to manage or prevent IE, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Ensuring that voices of owners are heard in the planning of future research should be a broader goal of veterinary medicine, to target research efforts toward areas most likely to improve the QoL of the dog-owner dyad.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Holger Andreas Volk
- Department of Clinical Science and ServicesRoyal Veterinary CollegeHertfordshireUK
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and SurgeryUniversity of Veterinary Medicine HannoverHannoverGermany
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Demeny H, Florea B, Tabaran F, Danciu CG, Ognean L. EEG Patterns Orienting to Lafora Disease Diagnosis-A Case Report in Two Beagles. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:589430. [PMID: 33251270 PMCID: PMC7674959 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.589430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Lafora Disease (LD) is a rare, fatal, late-onset, progressive form of myoclonic epilepsy, occurring in humans and dogs. Clinical manifestations of LD usually include seizures, spontaneous and reflex myoclonus with contractions of the neck and limb muscles. We studied the electroencephalogram (EEG) patterns of two beagles in whom LD was subsequently confirmed by genetic testing. In both cases, the EEG recordings, accompanied by electromyography (EMG), have shown similar uncommon patterns. The hypovoltaged background rhythm was interrupted by waxing “crescendo” polyspikes-slow wave complexes appearing 80–250 ms after the start of intermittent photic stimulation, followed by myoclonic jerks after 80–150 ms. This study highlights the value of EEG in establishing a presumptive diagnosis of LD in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helga Demeny
- Department of Preclinical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Bogdan Florea
- Epilepsy and EEG Monitoring Center, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Flaviu Tabaran
- Department of Preclinical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Cecilia Gabriella Danciu
- Department of Preclinical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Laurent Ognean
- Department of Preclinical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Dreger DL, Hooser BN, Hughes AM, Ganesan B, Donner J, Anderson H, Holtvoigt L, Ekenstedt KJ. True Colors: Commercially-acquired morphological genotypes reveal hidden allele variation among dog breeds, informing both trait ancestry and breed potential. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0223995. [PMID: 31658272 PMCID: PMC6816562 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0223995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Direct-to-consumer canine genetic testing is becoming increasingly popular among dog owners. The data collected therein provides intriguing insight into the current status of morphological variation present within purebred populations. Mars WISDOM PANELTM data from 11,790 anonymized dogs, representing 212 breeds and 4 wild canine species, were evaluated at genes associated with 7 coat color traits and 5 physical characteristics. Frequencies for all tested alleles at these 12 genes were determined by breed and by phylogenetic grouping. A sub-set of the data, consisting of 30 breeds, was divided into separate same-breed populations based on country of collection, body size, coat variation, or lineages selected for working or conformation traits. Significantly different (p ≤ 0.00167) allele frequencies were observed between populations for at least one of the tested genes in 26 of the 30 breeds. Next, standard breed descriptions from major American and international registries were used to determine colors and tail lengths (e.g. genetic bobtail) accepted within each breed. Alleles capable of producing traits incongruous with breed descriptions were observed in 143 breeds, such that random mating within breeds has probabilities of between 4.9e-7 and 0.25 of creating undesirable phenotypes. Finally, the presence of rare alleles within breeds, such as those for the recessive black coloration and natural bobtail, was combined with previously published identity-by-decent haplotype sharing levels to propose pathways by which the alleles may have spread throughout dog breeds. Taken together, this work demonstrates that: 1) the occurrence of low frequency alleles within breeds can reveal the influence of regional or functional selection practices; 2) it is possible to visualize the potential historic connections between breeds that share rare alleles; and 3) the necessity of addressing conflicting ideals in breed descriptions relative to actual genetic potential is crucial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dayna L. Dreger
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States of America
| | - Blair N. Hooser
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States of America
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Kari J. Ekenstedt
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Lewis TW, Mellersh CS. Changes in mutation frequency of eight Mendelian inherited disorders in eight pedigree dog populations following introduction of a commercial DNA test. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0209864. [PMID: 30650096 PMCID: PMC6334900 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction DNA testing for autosomal recessive disease mutations in many dog breeds is now relatively commonplace. There have, however, been few efforts made to determine changes in the frequency of disease causing mutations as a result of probable selection based on the results of DNA testing. This study makes use of genotype data from both DNA test results reported to the UK Kennel Club and where known from a ‘hereditary status’ (where a definitive genotype may be inferred and ascribed based on known parental genotypes) to do so. Results The results, using all known genotype data, show a general and sizeable decline in disease causing mutation frequency across eight diseases in eight breeds (by between 12–86% in dogs born 2–4 years after publication of the mutation, and by nearly 90% or more in those born 8–10 years after). In contrast, data from test results only, while revealing an almost complete and immediate end to the production of affected individuals, show little general decline in either the derived mutation frequency or the proportion of heterozygote carriers. It appears that the numerical size of the breed is an important determinant on the rate of uptake of a DNA test (as judged by the proportion of a breed born four years after publication of the disease-causing mutation with a known genotype). Conclusion These results show that dog breeders appear to be incorporating the results of DNA testing into their selection strategies to successfully decrease the frequency of the mutation. It is shown that use of DNA test result data alone does not reveal such trends, possibly as some breeders undertake testing to determine clear stock which can then be used to produce future disease-free generations in the knowledge they are not carrying the disease causing mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- T. W. Lewis
- The Kennel Club, London, England
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, England
- * E-mail:
| | - C. S. Mellersh
- The Kennel Club Genetics Centre at the Animal Health Trust, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk, England
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Barrientos L, Maiolini A, Häni A, Jagannathan V, Leeb T. NHLRC1 dodecamer repeat expansion demonstrated by whole genome sequencing in a Chihuahua with Lafora disease. Anim Genet 2018; 50:118-119. [PMID: 30525203 DOI: 10.1111/age.12756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Barrientos
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3001, Bern, Switzerland.,Instituto de Genética Veterinaria (IGEVET), CCT La Plata - CONICET - Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), CP1900, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Arianna Maiolini
- Division of Clinical Neurology, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3001, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Annakatrin Häni
- Division of Clinical Neurology, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3001, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Vidhya Jagannathan
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3001, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Tosso Leeb
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3001, Bern, Switzerland
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