Familial glomerulonephropathy in a litter of beagles

Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis possibly associated with over-vaccination in a cocker spaniel

Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis was observed in a seven-month-old male cocker spaniel dog. The clinical, microbiological, biochemical, radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations ruled out neoplasia, congenital disease and infectious disease. The anamnesis revealed that the owner had vaccinated the dog seven times, one vaccination per month, without veterinarian supervision. In both kidneys, severe thickening of the glomerular capillary walls was observed. Electron microscope examination revealed a large number of electron-dense deposits that were primarily in the glomerular subendothelial spaces and the basal membrane, which is compatible with antigen-antibody complexes. The immunohistochemical examination revealed that the antigen present in the glomeruli corresponded with the antigen present in the vaccine. We report a type III hypersensitivity nephropathy in a young dog, which was possibly caused by over-vaccination.

Persistent haematuria and proteinuria due to glomerular disease in related Abyssinian cats

Eight cases of glomerular disease in young, related Abyssinian cats are described. Haematuria was the most consistent feature. Six cats developed the nephrotic syndrome. The short-term prognosis was good for cats with haematuria and fair for cats with the nephrotic syndrome as oedema resolved in three of the six cats. Light microscopic examination of renal biopsies from three cats was considered normal or revealed only mild abnormalities. In the three cases subjected to necropsy, histological abnormalities included mild mesangial hypercellularity and adhesions between the glomerular tuft and Bowman's capsule consistent with a focal proliferative glomerulopathy. Further investigation into this glomerulopathy will require ultrastructural and immunohistochemical studies to characterise the glomerular abnormality and genetic analyses to investigate its potential to be an inherited disease. Glomerular disease, potentially a familial one, should be considered in the investigation of persistent haematuria or proteinuria in Abyssinian and related cats.

Alterações morfológicas e funcionais dos rins de cães com insuficiência renal crônica

Alterações morfológicas de 11 casos de cães com insuficiência renal foram caracterizadas e classificadas de acordo com os padrões estabelecidos pela Organização Mundial de Saúde para seres humanos. Glomerulonefrite esclerosante difusa foi diagnosticada em 82,0% dos animais e nefrite intersticial crônica nos 18,0% restantes. Os tipos e freqüência das lesões identificadas foram similares às encontradas na literatura para a insuficiência renal crônica.

Serum concentrations of the third component of complement in healthy dogs and dogs with protein-losing nephropathy

OBJECTIVE

To develop a method for determining the concentration of the third component of complement (C3) in canine serum, to establish a reference range for C3 in healthy dogs, and to evaluate dogs with protein-losing nephropathy (PLN) to determine whether PLN is associated with decreased serum C3 concentrations.

ANIMALS

30 healthy dogs and 49 dogs with PLN.

PROCEDURES

Serum samples were obtained from healthy dogs at the time of examination, whereas serum samples were obtained from dogs with PLN at the time of diagnosis. All samples were frozen at -70 degrees C until analyzed. Serum C3 concentrations were determined by use of a sandwich ELISA. Concentrations were expressed as the number of dilutions in which C3 could be detected.

RESULTS

C3 was detectable in healthy control dogs (range, 1,920,000 to 15,400,000 dilutions; median, 9,600,000 dilutions). This represented a range of four 2-fold serum dilutions. In addition, C3 was detectable in dogs with PLN (range, 1,460,000 to 30,070,000 dilutions; median, 7,680,000 dilutions), which represented a range of six 2-fold serum dilutions. There was no significant difference in C3 concentrations between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

C3 is a critical part of the immune defense system that has not been extensively examined in veterinary medicine. An ELISA was developed for measuring C3 concentrations, and a reference range for healthy dogs was established. Significant decreases in C3 concentrations were not detected in any dog with PLN. Additional studies will be required to definitively determine the importance of serum C3 concentrations in PLN.

Chronic hepatitis in dogs: a review of current understanding of the aetiology, progression, and treatment

Chronic hepatitis is common in dogs in primary and referral practice but the cause is usually unknown. This paper reviews the literature on potential causes of chronic hepatitis in dogs (infectious, autoimmune, metabolic, toxic, and breed-associated) together with the literature on the progression of the disease and on treatments. This is compared with the current understanding of aetiology, progression, and treatment of chronic hepatitis in man. Unfortunately, little is known about the aetiology and progression of the canine disease and very few therapies have been subjected to critical trials. It is difficult therefore to draw conclusions about causes and effective treatment in dogs. Even the histological description for canine chronic hepatitis has yet to be standardised. Much research remains to be done and this review suggests some potential areas for future investigation.