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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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Gumber S, Connor-Stroud F, Howard D, Zhang X, Bradley BJ, Sherwood CC, Walker LC. Polyglucosan body disease in an aged chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes). Neuropathology 2023; 43:463-471. [PMID: 37086019 PMCID: PMC10642523 DOI: 10.1111/neup.12906] [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: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
A 57-year-old female chimpanzee presented with a brief history of increasing lethargy and rapidly progressive lower-limb weakness that culminated in loss of use. Postmortem examination revealed no significant gross lesions in the nervous system or other organ systems. Histological analysis revealed round, basophilic to amphophilic polyglucosan bodies (PGBs) in the white and gray matter of the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and coccygeal regions of spinal cord. Only rare PGBs were observed in forebrain samples. The lesions in the spinal cord were polymorphic, and they were positively stained with hematoxylin, periodic acid Schiff, Alcian blue, toluidine blue, Bielschowsky silver, and Grocott-Gomori methenamine-silver methods, and they were negative for von Kossa and Congo Red stains. Immunohistochemical evaluation revealed reactivity with antibodies to ubiquitin, but they were negative for glial fibrillary acidic protein, neuron-specific enolase, neurofilaments, tau protein, and Aβ protein. Electron microscopy revealed non-membrane-bound deposits composed of densely packed filaments within axons and in the extracellular space. Intra-axonal PGBs were associated with disruption of the axonal fine structure and disintegration of the surrounding myelin sheath. These findings are the first description of PGBs linked to neurological dysfunction in a chimpanzee. Clinicopathologically, the disorder resembled adult PGB disease in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjeev Gumber
- Division of Pathology, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Fawn Connor-Stroud
- Division of Veterinary Medicine, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Dustin Howard
- Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology, Department of Anthropology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
| | - Xiaodong Zhang
- Emory Primate Center Imaging Center, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Brenda J. Bradley
- Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology, Department of Anthropology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
| | - Chet C. Sherwood
- Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology, Department of Anthropology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
| | - Lary C. Walker
- Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurologic Diseases, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
- Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
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Figueroa R, Oliveira RD, Sykes JM. A 40-YEAR (1980-2019) RETROSPECTIVE REVIEW OF MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY OF FENNEC FOXES ( VULPES ZERDA) AT THE BRONX AND PROSPECT PARK ZOOS. J Zoo Wildl Med 2023; 54:252-261. [PMID: 37428687 DOI: 10.1638/2022-0167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has housed fennec foxes (Vulpes zerda) at its facilities since the early 1900s and currently has one of the largest populations managed by the fennec fox Species Survival Plan. Of the 83 foxes held by WCS institutions between 1980 and 2019, 52 medical records and 48 postmortem reports were available for review. Common causes of morbidity included trauma and dermatologic disease, especially atopic dermatitis. Average age at death for animals surviving past 10 wk was 9.76 yr. Common causes of death or euthanasia were neoplasia (15/48, 31%) and infectious disease (14/48, 29%), with neoplastic processes incidentally identified in an additional seven animals. Significant antemortem cardiac changes were identified in 22 animals. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was diagnosed in nine animals, consistent with previous documentation of HCC as one of the most common neoplasms in this species. Four animals were suspected to have succumbed to vaccine-induced canine distemper virus after receiving a modified live vaccine. No canine distemper infections have been documented after 1981 in this population and since the use of a canarypox-vectored recombinant vaccine. Recommendations for management of this species include routine screening for hepatic neoplasia in adult animals, regular cardiac evaluations including electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and dermatologic examination as described by the current consensus statement on canine atopic dermatitis. This descriptive morbidity and mortality report is the first for the fennec fox.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ryan D Oliveira
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Zoological Health Program, Bronx, NY 10460, USA
| | - John M Sykes
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Zoological Health Program, Bronx, NY 10460, USA
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Yoshimura H, Torikai K, Takahashi A, Michishita M, Kishimoto TE, Yamamoto M, Haritani M, Takahashi K, Kamiya S. Histological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural features of polyglucosan bodies in uterine smooth muscle of pet rabbits (Oryctolaguscuniculus). J Comp Pathol 2023; 201:28-32. [PMID: 36669389 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2022.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
We document the frequency and morphological and immunohistochemical features of inclusion bodies in uterine smooth muscle cells in 56 (76%) of 74 investigated pet rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Inclusion bodies began to appear at the age of 2 years and their frequency increased with age (P = 0.047, r = 0.33). They ranged from 5 to 20 μm in diameter, were slightly basophilic to amphophilic with well-delimited oval bodies in haematoxylin and eosin-stained tissue sections and formed in the cytoplasm of the uterine smooth muscle cells with displacement of the cell nuclei. The inclusion bodies were positive with periodic acid-Schiff, Best's carmine, Lugol's iodine and Grocott's methenamine silver methods. They were immunoreactive to a monoclonal antibody raised against human polyglucosan and negative with monoclonal antibodies for several intermediate filament proteins. Electron microscopy revealed that they were non-membranous structures composed of electron-dense amorphous material. The morphological, histochemical, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural features of the inclusion bodies in the rabbi uteri were similar to those of human polyglucosan bodies (PGBs). PGBs appear to occur at a high frequency in the uterus of rabbits, which are known to be susceptible to uterine diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisashi Yoshimura
- Laboratory of Physiological Pathology, Department of Applied Science, School of Veterinary Nursing and Technology, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, Japan; Research Center for Animal Life Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Kazushi Torikai
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Anna Takahashi
- Laboratory of Physiological Pathology, Department of Applied Science, School of Veterinary Nursing and Technology, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaki Michishita
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, Japan; Research Center for Animal Life Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuya E Kishimoto
- Laboratory of Physiological Pathology, Department of Applied Science, School of Veterinary Nursing and Technology, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, Japan; FUJIFILM VET Systems Co., Neo City Mitaka, Mitaka-shi, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masami Yamamoto
- Laboratory of Physiological Pathology, Department of Applied Science, School of Veterinary Nursing and Technology, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Makoto Haritani
- Laboratory of Physiological Pathology, Department of Applied Science, School of Veterinary Nursing and Technology, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, Japan; Environmental Science for Sustainable Development, Graduate School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kimimasa Takahashi
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinji Kamiya
- Laboratory of Animal Higher Function, Department of Applied Science, School of Veterinary Nursing and Technology, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, Japan
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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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Lafora Disease and Alpha-Synucleinopathy in Two Adult Free-Ranging Moose (Alces alces) Presenting with Signs of Blindness and Circling. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12131633. [PMID: 35804532 PMCID: PMC9264765 DOI: 10.3390/ani12131633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Reports of behavioral signs, such as blindness and circling in free-ranging moose from different parts of the world, have spurred comprehensive pathological investigation to find the causes of the disease that have clinical relevance. In this case study, brains collected from two adult free-ranging moose (Alces alces) cows that were seemingly blind and found walking in circles were examined by light and electron microscopy with further ancillary testing. Here, we report for the first time Lafora disease and alpha-synucleinopathy in two wild free-ranging moose cows who presented with abnormal behavior and blindness, with similar neuronal polyglucosan body (PGB) accumulations identified in humans and other animals. Microscopic analysis of the hippocampus of brain revealed inclusion bodies resembling PGBs (Lafora disease) in the neurons with ultrastructural findings of aggregates of branching filaments, consistent with polyglucosan bodies. Furthermore, α-synuclein immunopositivity was noted in the hippocampus, with accumulations of small granules ultrastructurally distinct from PGBs and morphologically compatible with alpha-synucleinopathy (Lewy body). The apparent blindness found in these moose could be related to an injury associated with secondary bacterial invasion; however, an accumulation of neurotoxicants (PGBs and α-synucleins) in retinal ganglion cells could also be the cause. Lafora disease and alpha-synucleinopathy were considered in the differential diagnosis of the young adult moose who presented with signs of blindness and behavioral signs such as circling. Abstract Lafora disease is an autosomal recessive glycogen-storage disorder resulting from an accumulation of toxic polyglucosan bodies (PGBs) in the central nervous system, which causes behavioral and neurologic symptoms in humans and other animals. In this case study, brains collected from two young adult free-ranging moose (Alces alces) cows that were seemingly blind and found walking in circles were examined by light and electron microscopy. Microscopic analysis of the hippocampus of the brain revealed inclusion bodies resembling PGBs in the neuronal perikaryon, neuronal processes, and neuropil. These round inclusions measuring up to 30 microns in diameter were predominantly confined to the hippocampus region of the brain in both animals. The inclusions tested α-synuclein-negative by immunohistochemistry, α-synuclein-positive with PAS, GMS, and Bielschowsky’s staining; and diastase-resistant with central basophilic cores and faintly radiating peripheral lines. Ultrastructural examination of the affected areas of the hippocampus showed non-membrane-bound aggregates of asymmetrically branching filaments that bifurcated regularly, consistent with PGBs in both animals. Additionally, α-synuclein immunopositivity was noted in the different regions of the hippocampus with accumulations of small granules ultrastructurally distinct from PGBs and morphologically compatible with alpha-synucleinopathy (Lewy body). The apparent blindness found in these moose could be related to an injury associated with secondary bacterial invasion; however, an accumulation of neurotoxicants (PGBs and α-synuclein) in retinal ganglions cells could also be the cause. This is the first report demonstrating Lafora disease with concurrent alpha-synucleinopathy (Lewy body neuropathy) in a non-domesticated animal.
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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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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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Chambers JK, Thongtharb A, Shiga T, Azakami D, Saito M, Sato M, Morozumi M, Nakayama H, Uchida K. Accumulation of Laforin and Other Related Proteins in Canine Lafora Disease With EPM2B Repeat Expansion. Vet Pathol 2018; 55:543-551. [DOI: 10.1177/0300985818758471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Canine Lafora disease (LD) is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder causing nonfatal structural epilepsy, mainly affecting miniature wirehaired dachshunds. Repeat expansion in the EPM2B gene causes a functional impairment of the ubiquitin ligase malin which regulates glycogen metabolism. Abnormally structured glycogen accumulates and develop polyglucosan bodies predominantly in the central nervous system. The authors performed a comprehensive clinical, genetic, and pathological study of 4 LD cases affecting miniature wirehaired dachshund dogs with EPM2B repeat expansions, with systemic distribution of polyglucosan bodies and accumulation of laforin and other functionally associated proteins in the polyglucosan bodies. Myoclonic seizures first appeared at 7–9 years of age, and the dogs died at 14–16 years of age. Immunohistochemistry for calbindin revealed that the polyglucosan bodies were located in the cell bodies and dendritic processes of Purkinje cells. Polyglucosan bodies were also positive for laforin, hsp70, α/β-synuclein, ubiquitin, LC3, and p62. Laforin-positive polyglucosan bodies were located in neurofilament-positive neurons but not in GFAP-positive astrocytes. In nonneural tissues, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive polyglucosan bodies were observed in the heart, skeletal muscle, liver, apocrine sweat gland, and smooth muscle layer of the urinary bladder. In the skeletal muscle, polyglucosan bodies were observed only in type 1 fibers and not in type 2 fibers. The results indicate that although the repeat expansion of the EPM2B gene is specific to dogs, the immunohistochemical properties of polyglucosan body in canine LD are comparable to human LD. However, important phenotypic variations exist between the 2 species including the affected skeletal muscle fiber type.
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Affiliation(s)
- James K. Chambers
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo, Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atigan Thongtharb
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo, Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takanori Shiga
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo, Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daigo Azakami
- Laboratory of Veterinary Nursing, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Musashino, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Miyoko Saito
- Laboratory of Veterinary Surgery II, Azabu University, Chuo Ward, Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
| | - Masumi Sato
- National Institute of Animal Health, Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan
| | | | - Hiroyuki Nakayama
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo, Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Uchida
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo, Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan
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Swain L, Key G, Tauro A, Ahonen S, Wang P, Ackerley C, Minassian BA, Rusbridge C. Lafora disease in miniature Wirehaired Dachshunds. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0182024. [PMID: 28767715 PMCID: PMC5540395 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Lafora disease (LD) is an autosomal recessive late onset, progressive myoclonic epilepsy with a high prevalence in the miniature Wirehaired Dachshund. The disease is due to a mutation in the Epm2b gene which results in intracellular accumulation of abnormal glycogen (Lafora bodies). Recent breed-wide testing suggests that the carrier plus affected rate may be as high as 20%. A characteristic feature of the disease is spontaneous and reflex myoclonus; however clinical signs and disease progression are not well described. A survey was submitted to owners of MWHD which were homozygous for Epm2b mutation (breed club testing program) or had late onset reflex myoclonus and clinical diagnosis of LD. There were 27 dogs (11 male; 16 female) for analysis after young mutation-positive dogs that had yet to develop disease were excluded. Average age of onset of clinical signs was 6.94 years (3.5–12). The most common initial presenting sign was reflex and spontaneous myoclonus (77.8%). Other presenting signs included hypnic myoclonus (51.9%) and generalized seizures (40.7%). Less common presenting signs include focal seizures, “jaw smacking”, “fly catching”, “panic attacks”, impaired vision, aggression and urinary incontinence. All these clinical signs may appear, and then increase in frequency and intensity over time. The myoclonus in particular becomes more severe and more refractory to treatment. Signs that developed later in the disease include dementia (51.9%), blindness (48.1%), aggression to people (25.9%) and dogs (33.3%), deafness (29.6%) and fecal (29.6%) and urinary (37.0%) incontinence as a result of loss of house training (disinhibited type behavior). Further prospective study is needed to further characterize the canine disease and to allow more specific therapeutic strategies and to tailor therapy as the disease progresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay Swain
- Fitzpatrick Referrals Orthopedics and Neurology, Halfway Lane, Eashing, Godalming, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Gill Key
- Dachshund Breed Council, Wrington, North Somerset, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Tauro
- Fitzpatrick Referrals Orthopedics and Neurology, Halfway Lane, Eashing, Godalming, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Saija Ahonen
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Peixiang Wang
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Cameron Ackerley
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Berge A. Minassian
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics (Neurology), The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Clare Rusbridge
- Fitzpatrick Referrals Orthopedics and Neurology, Halfway Lane, Eashing, Godalming, Surrey, United Kingdom
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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