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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:e3895. [PMID: 38704817 DOI: 10.1002/vetr.3895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [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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De Decker S, Rohdin C, Gutierrez-Quintana R. Vertebral and spinal malformations in small brachycephalic dog breeds: Current knowledge and remaining questions. Vet J 2024; 304:106095. [PMID: 38458418 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2024.106095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Small brachycephalic dog breeds, such as the French bulldog, English bulldog and pug have become increasingly popular. These breeds are predisposed to a variety of vertebral and spinal malformations, including hemivertebra, caudal articular process dysplasia, transitional vertebra, cranial thoracic vertebral canal stenosis, spinal arachnoid diverticulum and meningeal fibrosis. Recent studies have provided new insights into the prevalence, anatomical characteristics, pathophysiology and treatment of these conditions. Thoracic hemivertebra, caudal articular process dysplasia, transitional vertebra, and cranial thoracic vertebral canal stenosis occur commonly in neurologically normal dogs. Although the clinical relevance of these vertebral anomalies has therefore been questioned, severe kyphosis and hemivertebra in pugs have been associated with an increased likelihood of neurological signs. Meningeal fibrosis is characterised by the formation of dense intradural fibrotic adhesions, constricting the spinal cord. This condition has been heavily associated with the pug breed. It is in pugs further common to observe multiple concurrent spinal disorder in association with chronic progressive pelvic limb gait abnormalities. This clinical presentation has been referred to as 'pug dog thoracolumbar myelopathy' and potential genetic risk factors have recently been identified. Despite our increased knowledge, many questions remain currently unanswered. This review discusses our current understanding and controversies surrounding vertebral and spinal malformations in small brachycephalic dog breeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven De Decker
- Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield AL9 7TA, UK.
| | - Cecilia Rohdin
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, University Animal Hospital, Uppsala 75007, Sweden; Anicura Albano Small Animal Hospital, Danderyd 18236, Sweden
| | - Rodrigo Gutierrez-Quintana
- School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
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Rohdin C, Wang C, Brander G, Rondahl V, Karlsson Å, Friling L, Fischetti A, Meadows J, Häggström J, Jäderlund KH, Ljungvall I, Lindblad‐Toh K. Mutations in the CYP27B1 gene cause vitamin D dependent rickets in pugs. J Vet Intern Med 2023; 37:1507-1513. [PMID: 37293695 PMCID: PMC10365047 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Rickets is a disorder of bone development and can be the result of either dietary or genetic causes. Here, related pugs from 2 litters were included. Three pugs had clinical signs including, lameness, bone deformities, and dyspnea. One other pug was found dead. Radiographs of 2 affected pugs, 5 and 6 months old, showed generalized widening, and irregular margination of the physes of both the appendicular and the axial skeleton with generalized decrease in bone opacity and bulbous swelling of the costochondral junctions. Two pugs had low serum calcium and 1,25 (OH)2 D3 concentrations. Test results further indicated secondary hyperparathyroidism with adequate concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Necropsy revealed tongue-like projections of cartilage extending into the metaphysis consistent with rickets, loss of metaphyseal mineralization and lung pathology. Vitamin D-dependent rickets was diagnosed. A truncating mutation in the 1α-hydroxylase gene (CYP27B1) was identified by genome sequence analysis of the pugs with VDDR type 1A. Vitamin D-dependent rickets type 1A can occur in young pugs, and if left untreated is a life-threatening condition. Early medical intervention can reverse clinical signs and should be instituted as soon as possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Rohdin
- Department of Clinical SciencesSwedish University of Agricultural ScienceUppsalaSweden
- Anicura Albano Small Animal HospitalDanderydSweden
| | - Chao Wang
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and MicrobiologyScience for Life LaboratoryUppsalaSweden
| | - Gustaf Brander
- Broad Institute of MIT and HarvardCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | | | - Åsa Karlsson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and MicrobiologyScience for Life LaboratoryUppsalaSweden
| | - Lisa Friling
- AniCura Djursjukhuset Albano Ringgold Standard InstitutionDanderydSweden
| | - Anthony Fischetti
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Animal Medical CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Jennifer Meadows
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and MicrobiologyScience for Life LaboratoryUppsalaSweden
| | - Jens Häggström
- Department of Clinical SciencesSwedish University of Agricultural ScienceUppsalaSweden
| | - Karin Hultin Jäderlund
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical SciencesNorges Miljo‐ og Biovitenskapelige Universitet Fakultet for Veterinarmedisin og BiovitenskapOsloNorway
| | - Ingrid Ljungvall
- Department of Clinical SciencesSwedish University of Agricultural ScienceUppsalaSweden
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Alnefelt Y, Van Meervenne S, Varjonen K, Tidholm A, Rohdin C. Evaluation of antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid for the diagnosis of tick-borne encephalitis in dogs. Acta Vet Scand 2021; 63:32. [PMID: 34446031 PMCID: PMC8396403 DOI: 10.1186/s13028-021-00597-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is caused by the neurotropic tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). In dogs, this virus may affect the central nervous system (CNS), causing meningoencephalitis, meningomyelitis, radiculitis or any combination of these. Diagnosis of TBE relies on a combination of clinical signs of CNS disease and laboratory findings, including CSF pleocytosis and serum TBEV antibody titers. Exposure to TBEV does not necessarily cause clinical disease, and seroprevalence has been reported as high as 40% in endemic areas. This causes concerns of over-diagnosing TBE in dogs with CNS disease. By examining TBEV antibodies in dogs with and without neurological disease in a TBEV endemic area, this study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of TBEV antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in dogs. Eighty-nine dogs were included in the study, 56 with neurological disease and 33 neurologically normal control dogs. A positive TBEV CSF and serum IgG antibody titer (> 126 U/mL) was found in 3/89 dogs (3.4%). A positive serum TBEV antibody titer was found in 11 of the 89 dogs (12.4%). None of the control dogs showed a positive CSF antibody titer, whilst two showed positive serum concentrations. A positive CSF IgG antibody titer supports a clinical diagnosis of TBE in patients with acute onset of CNS disease and may help reduce the risk of over-diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne Alnefelt
- Anicura Albano Small Animal Hospital, 182 36 Danderyd, Sweden
| | | | | | - Anna Tidholm
- Anicura Albano Small Animal Hospital, 182 36 Danderyd, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Rohdin
- Anicura Albano Small Animal Hospital, 182 36 Danderyd, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES The primary objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of epileptic seizures and of presumed idiopathic epilepsy (PIE, describing epilepsy of unknown origin) in a cohort of British Shorthair (BSH) cats in Sweden. The secondary objective was to describe epileptic seizure characteristics and outcome for cats with PIE. METHODS Owners of BSH cats born between 2006 and 2016 and registered with SVERAK (the Swedish Cat Clubs' National Association) were invited to reply to a questionnaire about their cat's general health. Owners who indicated that their cat had experienced epileptic seizures were invited to participate in an in-depth telephone interview about the epileptic seizures. The clinical characteristics of epileptic seizures in BSH cats were determined from the results of the interview. RESULTS In this population comprising 1645 BSH cats (representing 28% of registered BSHs), the prevalence of epileptic seizures was 0.9% and for PIE it was 0.7%. BSH cats with PIE presented with infrequent but consistent epileptic seizures. Twenty-seven percent of BSH cats with epileptic seizures had cluster seizures but none presented with status epilepticus. None of the BSH cats was treated with antiepileptic drugs, and none of the owners reported epileptic seizure remission in their cat. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The prevalence of PIE in this population of BSH cats was 0.7%. The prevalence of epileptic seizures was 0.9%. In general, PIE in the BSH cat displayed a relatively benign phenotype where progression of epileptic seizures was uncommon.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Anna Tidholm
- Anicura Albano Small Animal Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Rohdin
- Anicura Albano Small Animal Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
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Skedsmo FS, Espenes A, Tranulis MA, Matiasek K, Gunnes G, Bjerkås I, Moe L, Røed SS, Berendt M, Fredholm M, Rohdin C, Shelton GD, Bruheim P, Stafsnes MH, Bartosova Z, Hermansen LC, Stigen Ø, Jäderlund KH. Impaired NDRG1 functions in Schwann cells cause demyelinating neuropathy in a dog model of Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 4D. Neuromuscul Disord 2020; 31:56-68. [PMID: 33334662 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2020.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in the N-myc downstream-regulated gene 1 (NDRG1) cause degenerative polyneuropathy in ways that are poorly understood. We have investigated Alaskan Malamute dogs with neuropathy caused by a missense mutation in NDRG1. In affected animals, nerve levels of NDRG1 protein were reduced by more than 70% (p< 0.03). Nerve fibers were thinly myelinated, loss of large myelinated fibers was pronounced and teased fiber preparations showed both demyelination and remyelination. Inclusions of filamentous material containing actin were present in adaxonal Schwann cell cytoplasm and Schmidt-Lanterman clefts. This condition strongly resembles the human Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 4D. However, the focally folded myelin with adaxonal infoldings segregating the axon found in this study are ultrastructural changes not described in the human disease. Furthermore, lipidomic analysis revealed a profound loss of peripheral nerve lipids. Our data suggest that the low levels of mutant NDRG1 is insufficient to support Schwann cells in maintaining myelin homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fredrik S Skedsmo
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ullevålsveien 72, 0454 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Arild Espenes
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ullevålsveien 72, 0454 Oslo, Norway
| | - Michael A Tranulis
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ullevålsveien 72, 0454 Oslo, Norway
| | - Kaspar Matiasek
- Section of Clinical & Comparative Neuropathology, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Veterinärstr. 13, D-80539 Munich, Germany
| | - Gjermund Gunnes
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ullevålsveien 72, 0454 Oslo, Norway
| | - Inge Bjerkås
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ullevålsveien 72, 0454 Oslo, Norway
| | - Lars Moe
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ullevålsveien 72, 0454 Oslo, Norway
| | - Susan Skogtvedt Røed
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ullevålsveien 72, 0454 Oslo, Norway
| | - Mette Berendt
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Dyrlægevej 16, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Merete Fredholm
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 2, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Cecilia Rohdin
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Ultunaalléen 5A, 756 51 Uppsala, Sweden; Anicura Albano Small Animal Hospital, Rinkebyvägen 21, 182 36 Danderyd, Sweden
| | - G Diane Shelton
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093-0709, United States of America
| | - Per Bruheim
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Sem Sælands vei 6, 7034 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Marit H Stafsnes
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Sem Sælands vei 6, 7034 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Zdenka Bartosova
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Sem Sælands vei 6, 7034 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Lene C Hermansen
- Department of Plant Sciences, Faculty of Biosciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Universitetstunet 3, 1433 Ås, Norway
| | - Øyvind Stigen
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ullevålsveien 72, 0454 Oslo, Norway
| | - Karin H Jäderlund
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ullevålsveien 72, 0454 Oslo, Norway
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Rohdin C, Ljungvall I, Häggström J, Leijon A, Lindblad-Toh K, Matiasek K, Rosati M, Wohlsein P, Jäderlund KH. Thoracolumbar meningeal fibrosis in pugs. J Vet Intern Med 2020; 34:797-807. [PMID: 32003496 PMCID: PMC7096664 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.15716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Thoracolumbar myelopathies associated with spinal cord and vertebral column lesions, with a similar clinical phenotype, but different underlying etiologies, occur in pugs. Objectives To further characterize the clinical and neuropathological characteristics of pugs with longstanding thoracolumbar myelopathy. Animals Thirty client‐owned pure‐bred pugs with a history of more than a month of ataxia and paresis of the pelvic limbs, suggesting a myelopathy localized to the thoracolumbar spinal cord, were included in the study. Methods Prospective clinicopathological study. Included pugs underwent a complete neurological examination and gross and histopathologic postmortem studies with focus on the spinal cord. Computed tomography (n = 18), magnetic resonance imaging (n = 17), and cerebrospinal fluid analysis (n = 27) were performed before or immediately after death. Results Twenty male and 10 female pugs had a median age at clinical onset of 84 months (interquartile range, 66‐96). Affected pugs presented with a progressive clinical course and 80% were incontinent. There was circumferential meningeal fibrosis with concomitant focal, malacic, destruction of the neuroparenchyma in the thoracolumbar spinal cord in 24/30 pugs. Vertebral lesions accompanied the focal spinal cord lesion, and there was lympho‐histiocytic inflammation associated or not to the parenchymal lesion in 43% of the pugs. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Meningeal fibrosis with associated focal spinal cord destruction and neighboring vertebral column lesions were common findings in pugs with long‐standing thoracolumbar myelopathy.
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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
| | - Jens Häggström
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Alexandra Leijon
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health (BVF), Section of Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Kerstin Lindblad-Toh
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Kaspar Matiasek
- Section of Clinical and Comparative Neuropathology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Marco Rosati
- Section of Clinical and Comparative Neuropathology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Peter Wohlsein
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
| | - Karin Hultin Jäderlund
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
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De Decker S, Packer RMA, Cappello R, Harcourt-Brown TR, Rohdin C, Gomes SA, Bergknut N, Shaw TA, Lowrie M, Gutierrez-Quintana R. Comparison of signalment and computed tomography findings in French Bulldogs, Pugs, and English Bulldogs with and without clinical signs associated with thoracic hemivertebra. J Vet Intern Med 2019; 33:2151-2159. [PMID: 31407402 PMCID: PMC6766535 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.15556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although thoracic hemivertebra can cause neurological signs, they occur commonly in neurologically normal dogs. OBJECTIVES To evaluate whether computed tomography (CT) findings and factors associated with signalment can be used to differentiate between dogs with and without neurological signs associated with hemivertebra. ANIMALS One hundred sixty dogs with ≥1 hemivertebrae were retrospectively studied. This group consisted of 40 dogs with clinical signs caused by hemivertebra and 40 French Bulldogs, 40 Pugs, and 40 English Bulldogs that underwent CT for reasons unrelated to neurological disease. METHODS All dogs underwent CT and affected dogs also underwent magnetic resonance imaging. All CT studies were randomly evaluated by an observer blinded to signalment and clinical status. The following variables were evaluated: presence, number, location, and subtype of hemivertebra; presence of vertebral subluxation; severity of vertebral canal stenosis; presence, location, and severity of kyphosis, and number of vertebrae involved in the kyphotic segment. Statistical modeling was performed to identify factors associated with clinical status. RESULTS Pug breed (odds ration [OR], 10.8; P = .01), more severe kyphosis (OR, 1.1 per grade increase; P < .001), fewer instead of more observed hemivertebrae (OR, 0.8; P = 0.03), and ventrolateral hypoplasia hemivertebra subtype (OR, 4.0; P = .011) were associated with higher likelihood of neurological disease. A Cobb angle of 34.5 degrees corresponded with the highest combined sensitivity and specificity to differentiate between clinically affected and unaffected dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE The variables identified could aid in differentiating between clinically relevant and irrelevant hemivertebra in small breed brachycephalic dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven De Decker
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Rowena M A Packer
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | | | - Tom R Harcourt-Brown
- School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, North Somerset, United Kingdom
| | - Cecilia Rohdin
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.,Anicura, Albano Small Animal Hospital, Danderyd, Sweden
| | | | - Niklas Bergknut
- North Downs Specialist Referrals, Bletchingley, United Kingdom
| | - Tom A Shaw
- School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, North Somerset, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Lowrie
- Dovecote Veterinary Hospital, Derby, United Kingdom
| | - Rodrigo Gutierrez-Quintana
- School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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9
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Rohdin C, Häggström J, Ljungvall I, Nyman Lee H, De Decker S, Bertram S, Lindblad-Toh K, Hultin Jäderlund K. Presence of thoracic and lumbar vertebral malformations in pugs with and without chronic neurological deficits. Vet J 2018; 241:24-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2018.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 09/08/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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10
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Barker EN, Dawson LJ, Rose JH, Van Meervenne S, Frykman O, Rohdin C, Leijon A, Soerensen KE, Järnegren J, Johnson GC, O'Brien DP, Granger N. Degenerative Encephalopathy in Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers Presenting with a Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder. J Vet Intern Med 2018; 30:1681-1689. [PMID: 27717189 PMCID: PMC5032881 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.14575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Revised: 07/17/2016] [Accepted: 08/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Neurodegenerative diseases are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by loss of neurons and are commonly associated with a genetic mutation. Hypothesis/Objectives To characterize the clinical and histopathological features of a novel degenerative neurological disease affecting the brain of young adult Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers (NSDTRs). Animals Nine, young adult, related NSDTRs were evaluated for neurological dysfunction and rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder. Methods Case series review. Results Clinical signs of neurological dysfunction began between 2 months and 5 years of age and were progressive in nature. They were characterized by episodes of marked movements during sleep, increased anxiety, noise phobia, and gait abnormalities. Magnetic resonance imaging documented symmetrical, progressively increasing, T2‐weighted image intensity, predominantly within the caudate nuclei, consistent with necrosis secondary to gray matter degeneration. Abnormalities were not detected on clinicopathological analysis of blood and cerebrospinal fluid, infectious disease screening or urine metabolite screening in most cases. Postmortem examination of brain tissue identified symmetrical malacia of the caudate nuclei and axonal dystrophy within the brainstem and spinal cord. Genealogical analysis supports an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. Conclusions and Clinical Importance A degenerative encephalopathy was identified in young adult NSDTRs consistent with a hereditary disease. The prognosis is guarded due to the progressive nature of the disease, which is minimally responsive to empirical treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- E N Barker
- School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Langford, UK.
| | - L J Dawson
- IDEXX Laboratories Ltd Wetherby, West Yorkshire, UK
| | - J H Rose
- School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Langford, UK
| | | | | | - C Rohdin
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Science, Uppsala, Sweden.,Anicura, Albano Small Animal Hospital, Danderyd, Sweden
| | - A Leijon
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section of Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - K E Soerensen
- Department of Pathology and Wildlife Diseases, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - J Järnegren
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Trondheim, Norway
| | - G C Johnson
- Department of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
| | - D P O'Brien
- Department of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
| | - N Granger
- School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Langford, UK
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Rohdin C, Jäderlund KH, Ljungvall I, Lindblad-Toh K, Häggström J. High prevalence of gait abnormalities in pugs. Vet Rec 2018; 182:167. [PMID: 29437993 PMCID: PMC5870464 DOI: 10.1136/vr.104510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2017] [Revised: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 11/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this prospective study was to determine the prevalence of gait abnormalities in a cohort of Swedish pugs by using an owner-based questionnaire targeting signs of gait abnormality and video footage showing the dog’s gait. This study also evaluated associated conditions of abnormal gait, including other health disorders prevalent in the breed. Five hundred and fifty (550) pugs registered in the Swedish Kennel Club, of one, five and eight years of age, in 2015 and 2016, were included in the study. Gait abnormalities were reported in 30.7 per cent of the responses. In the majority of cases, the character of the described gait indicated a neurological cause for the gait abnormality. An association was observed between abnormal gait and age, with gait abnormalities being significantly more common in older pugs (P=0.004). An association was also found between abnormal gait and dyspnoea, with dyspnoea being significantly more common in pugs with gait abnormalities (P<0.0001). This study demonstrated that the prevalence of gait abnormalities was high in the Swedish pug breed and increased with age. Future studies on the mechanisms behind these gait abnormalities are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Rohdin
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.,Anicura, Albano Animal Hospital, Danderyd, Sweden
| | - Karin Hultin Jäderlund
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ingrid Ljungvall
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Kerstin Lindblad-Toh
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts, Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jens Häggström
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
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12
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Syrjä P, Anwar T, Jokinen T, Kyöstilä K, Jäderlund KH, Cozzi F, Rohdin C, Hahn K, Wohlsein P, Baumgärtner W, Henke D, Oevermann A, Sukura A, Leeb T, Lohi H, Eskelinen EL. Basal Autophagy Is Altered in Lagotto Romagnolo Dogs with an ATG4D Mutation. Vet Pathol 2017; 54:953-963. [PMID: 28583040 DOI: 10.1177/0300985817712793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
A missense variant in the autophagy-related ATG4D-gene has been associated with a progressive degenerative neurological disease in Lagotto Romagnolo (LR) dogs. In addition to neural lesions, affected dogs show an extraneural histopathological phenotype characterized by severe cytoplasmic vacuolization, a finding not previously linked with disturbed autophagy in animals. Here we aimed at testing the hypothesis that autophagy is altered in the affected dogs, at reporting the histopathology of extraneural tissues and at excluding lysosomal storage diseases. Basal and starvation-induced autophagy were monitored by Western blotting and immunofluorescence of microtubule associated protein 1A/B light chain3 (LC3) in fibroblasts from 2 affected dogs. The extraneural findings of 9 euthanized LRs and skin biopsies from 4 living affected LRs were examined by light microscopy, electron microscopy, and immunohistochemistry (IHC), using antibodies against autophagosomal membranes (LC3), autophagic cargo (p62), and lysosomal membranes (LAMP2). Biochemical screening of urine and fibroblasts of 2 affected dogs was performed. Under basal conditions, the affected fibroblasts contained significantly more LC3-II and LC3-positive vesicles than did the controls. Morphologically, several cells, including serous secretory epithelium, endothelial cells, pericytes, plasma cells, and macrophages, contained cytoplasmic vacuoles with an ultrastructure resembling enlarged amphisomes, endosomes, or multivesicular bodies. IHC showed strong membranous LAMP2 positivity only in sweat glands. The results show that basal but not induced autophagy is altered in affected fibroblasts. The ultrastructure of affected cells is compatible with altered autophagic and endo-lysosomal vesicular traffic. The findings in this spontaneous disease provide insight into possible tissue-specific roles of basal autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pernilla Syrjä
- 1 Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tahira Anwar
- 2 Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tarja Jokinen
- 3 Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kaisa Kyöstilä
- 1 Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,4 Department of Molecular Genetics, Folkhälsan Institute of Genetics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,5 Research Programs Unit, Molecular Neurology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Karin Hultin Jäderlund
- 6 Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Cecilia Rohdin
- 8 Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Science, Uppsala, Sweden.,9 Anicura, Albano Small Animal Hospital, Danderyd, Sweden
| | - Kerstin Hahn
- 10 Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Peter Wohlsein
- 10 Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Baumgärtner
- 10 Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Diana Henke
- 11 Division of Neurological Sciences, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anna Oevermann
- 11 Division of Neurological Sciences, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Antti Sukura
- 1 Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tosso Leeb
- 12 Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Hannes Lohi
- 1 Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,4 Department of Molecular Genetics, Folkhälsan Institute of Genetics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,5 Research Programs Unit, Molecular Neurology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Eeva-Liisa Eskelinen
- 2 Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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13
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Hahn K, Rohdin C, Jagannathan V, Wohlsein P, Baumgärtner W, Seehusen F, Spitzbarth I, Grandon R, Drögemüller C, Jäderlund KH. TECPR2 Associated Neuroaxonal Dystrophy in Spanish Water Dogs. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0141824. [PMID: 26555167 PMCID: PMC4640708 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0141824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Accepted: 10/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical, pathological and genetic examination revealed an as yet uncharacterized juvenile-onset neuroaxonal dystrophy (NAD) in Spanish water dogs. Affected dogs presented with various neurological deficits including gait abnormalities and behavioral deficits. Histopathology demonstrated spheroid formation accentuated in the grey matter of the cerebral hemispheres, the cerebellum, the brain stem and in the sensory pathways of the spinal cord. Iron accumulation was absent. Ultrastructurally spheroids contained predominantly closely packed vesicles with a double-layered membrane, which were characterized as autophagosomes using immunohistochemistry. The family history of the four affected dogs suggested an autosomal recessive inheritance. SNP genotyping showed a single genomic region of extended homozygosity of 4.5 Mb in the four cases on CFA 8. Linkage analysis revealed a maximal parametric LOD score of 2.5 at this region. By whole genome re-sequencing of one affected dog, a perfectly associated, single, non-synonymous coding variant in the canine tectonin beta-propeller repeat-containing protein 2 (TECPR2) gene affecting a highly conserved region was detected (c.4009C>T or p.R1337W). This canine NAD form displays etiologic parallels to an inherited TECPR2 associated type of human hereditary spastic paraparesis (HSP). In contrast to the canine NAD, the spinal cord lesions in most types of human HSP involve the sensory and the motor pathways. Furthermore, the canine NAD form reveals similarities to cases of human NAD defined by widespread spheroid formation without iron accumulation in the basal ganglia. Thus TECPR2 should also be considered as candidate gene for human NAD. Immunohistochemistry and the ultrastructural findings further support the assumption, that TECPR2 regulates autophagosome accumulation in the autophagic pathways. Consequently, this report provides the first genetic characterization of juvenile canine NAD, describes the histopathological features associated with the TECPR2 mutation and provides evidence to emphasize the association between failure of autophagy and neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Hahn
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Department of Pathology, Hannover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
| | - Cecilia Rohdin
- University Animal Hospital, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
- Anicura, Albano Small Animal Hospital, Danderyd, Sweden
| | - Vidhya Jagannathan
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Peter Wohlsein
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Department of Pathology, Hannover, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Baumgärtner
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Department of Pathology, Hannover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
| | - Frauke Seehusen
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Department of Pathology, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ingo Spitzbarth
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Department of Pathology, Hannover, Germany
| | - Rodrigo Grandon
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Division of Pathology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Cord Drögemüller
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
| | - Karin Hultin Jäderlund
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
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14
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Kyöstilä K, Syrjä P, Jagannathan V, Chandrasekar G, Jokinen TS, Seppälä EH, Becker D, Drögemüller M, Dietschi E, Drögemüller C, Lang J, Steffen F, Rohdin C, Jäderlund KH, Lappalainen AK, Hahn K, Wohlsein P, Baumgärtner W, Henke D, Oevermann A, Kere J, Lohi H, Leeb T. A missense change in the ATG4D gene links aberrant autophagy to a neurodegenerative vacuolar storage disease. PLoS Genet 2015; 11:e1005169. [PMID: 25875846 PMCID: PMC4398399 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2015] [Accepted: 03/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Inherited neurodegenerative disorders are debilitating diseases that occur across different species. We have performed clinical, pathological and genetic studies to characterize a novel canine neurodegenerative disease present in the Lagotto Romagnolo dog breed. Affected dogs suffer from progressive cerebellar ataxia, sometimes accompanied by episodic nystagmus and behavioral changes. Histological examination revealed unique pathological changes, including profound neuronal cytoplasmic vacuolization in the nervous system, as well as spheroid formation and cytoplasmic aggregation of vacuoles in secretory epithelial tissues and mesenchymal cells. Genetic analyses uncovered a missense change, c.1288G>A; p.A430T, in the autophagy-related ATG4D gene on canine chromosome 20 with a highly significant disease association (p = 3.8 x 10-136) in a cohort of more than 2300 Lagotto Romagnolo dogs. ATG4D encodes a poorly characterized cysteine protease belonging to the macroautophagy pathway. Accordingly, our histological analyses indicated altered autophagic flux in affected tissues. The knockdown of the zebrafish homologue atg4da resulted in a widespread developmental disturbance and neurodegeneration in the central nervous system. Our study describes a previously unknown canine neurological disease with particular pathological features and implicates the ATG4D protein as an important autophagy mediator in neuronal homeostasis. The canine phenotype serves as a model to delineate the disease-causing pathological mechanism(s) and ATG4D function, and can also be used to explore treatment options. Furthermore, our results reveal a novel candidate gene for human neurodegeneration and enable the development of a genetic test for veterinary diagnostic and breeding purposes. Neurodegenerative disorders affect millions of people worldwide. We describe a novel neurodegenerative disease in a canine model, characterized by progressive cerebellar ataxia and cellular vacuolization. Our genetic analyses identified a single nucleotide change in the autophagy-related ATG4D gene in affected dogs. The ATG4D gene has not been linked to inherited diseases before. The autophagy-lysosome pathway plays an important role in degrading and recycling different cellular components. Disturbed autophagy has been reported in several different diseases but mutations in core autophagy components are rare. Histological analyses of affected canine brain tissues revealed altered autophagic flux, and a knockdown of the gene in the zebrafish model caused marked neurodevelopmental alterations and neurodegeneration. Our findings identify a new disease-causing pathway and implicate the ATG4D protease as an important mediator for neuronal homeostasis. Furthermore, our study establishes a large animal model to investigate the role of ATG4D in autophagy and to test possible treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaisa Kyöstilä
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Research Programs Unit, Molecular Neurology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Folkhälsan Institute of Genetics, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pernilla Syrjä
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Vidhya Jagannathan
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Tarja S. Jokinen
- Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Eija H. Seppälä
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Research Programs Unit, Molecular Neurology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Folkhälsan Institute of Genetics, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Doreen Becker
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Elisabeth Dietschi
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Cord Drögemüller
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Johann Lang
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Division of Clinical Radiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Frank Steffen
- Neurology Service, Department of Small Animals, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Cecilia Rohdin
- University Animal Hospital, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Karin H. Jäderlund
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anu K. Lappalainen
- Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kerstin Hahn
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Peter Wohlsein
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Baumgärtner
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Diana Henke
- Division of Neurological Sciences, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anna Oevermann
- Division of Neurological Sciences, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Juha Kere
- Research Programs Unit, Molecular Neurology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Folkhälsan Institute of Genetics, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
- Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Hannes Lohi
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Research Programs Unit, Molecular Neurology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Folkhälsan Institute of Genetics, Helsinki, Finland
- * E-mail:
| | - Tosso Leeb
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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15
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Abstract
Seven related young pugs were diagnosed with cervical spinal intradural arachnoid cysts by magnetic resonance imaging (n = 6) and myelography (n = 1). All dogs were presented with skin abrasions on their thoracic limbs and non-painful neurological deficits, indicating a C1-T2 myelopathy. In all six dogs examined by magnetic resonance imaging not only the spinal arachnoid cyst but also a concomitant, most likely secondary, syringohydromyelia was confirmed. Pedigree analysis suggested a genetic predisposition for spinal arachnoid cysts in this family of pugs. Generalised proprioceptive deficits more pronounced in the thoracic limbs suggesting a focal cervical spinal cord lesion, with concomitant skin abrasions on the dorsal aspect of the thoracic limbs in a young pug, should alert veterinarians to the possibility of cervical spinal arachnoid cysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Rohdin
- Department of Clinical Sciences, University Animal Hospital, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden; Albano Small Animal Hospital, Rinkebyvägen 21, 182 36, Danderyd, Sweden
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16
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Bruun CS, Jäderlund KH, Berendt M, Jensen KB, Spodsberg EH, Gredal H, Shelton GD, Mickelson JR, Minor KM, Lohi H, Bjerkås I, Stigen Ø, Espenes A, Rohdin C, Edlund R, Ohlsson J, Cizinauskas S, Leifsson PS, Drögemüller C, Moe L, Cirera S, Fredholm M. A Gly98Val mutation in the N-Myc downstream regulated gene 1 (NDRG1) in Alaskan Malamutes with polyneuropathy. PLoS One 2013; 8:e54547. [PMID: 23393557 PMCID: PMC3564917 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0054547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2012] [Accepted: 12/14/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The first cases of early-onset progressive polyneuropathy appeared in the Alaskan Malamute population in Norway in the late 1970s. Affected dogs were of both sexes and were ambulatory paraparetic, progressing to non-ambulatory tetraparesis. On neurologic examination, affected dogs displayed predominantly laryngeal paresis, decreased postural reactions, decreased spinal reflexes and muscle atrophy. The disease was considered eradicated through breeding programmes but recently new cases have occurred in the Nordic countries and the USA. The N-myc downstream-regulated gene (NDRG1) is implicated in neuropathies with comparable symptoms or clinical signs both in humans and in Greyhound dogs. This gene was therefore considered a candidate gene for the polyneuropathy in Alaskan Malamutes. The coding sequence of the NDRG1 gene derived from one healthy and one affected Alaskan Malamute revealed a non-synonymous G>T mutation in exon 4 in the affected dog that causes a Gly98Val amino acid substitution. This substitution was categorized to be “probably damaging” to the protein function by PolyPhen2 (score: 1.000). Subsequently, 102 Alaskan Malamutes from the Nordic countries and the USA known to be either affected (n = 22), obligate carriers (n = 7) or healthy (n = 73) were genotyped for the SNP using TaqMan. All affected dogs had the T/T genotype, the obligate carriers had the G/T genotype and the healthy dogs had the G/G genotype except for 13 who had the G/T genotype. A protein alignment showed that residue 98 is conserved in mammals and also that the entire NDRG1 protein is highly conserved (94.7%) in mammals. We conclude that the G>T substitution is most likely the mutation that causes polyneuropathy in Alaskan Malamutes. Our characterization of a novel candidate causative mutation for polyneuropathy offers a new canine model that can provide further insight into pathobiology and therapy of human polyneuropathy. Furthermore, selection against this mutation can now be used to eliminate the disease in Alaskan Malamutes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla S. Bruun
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
- * E-mail: (CSB); (MF)
| | - Karin H. Jäderlund
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mette Berendt
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Kristine B. Jensen
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Eva H. Spodsberg
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Hanne Gredal
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - G. Diane Shelton
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - James R. Mickelson
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Katie M. Minor
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Hannes Lohi
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Research Programs Unit, Molecular Medicine, University of Helsinki and Folkhälsen Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Inge Bjerkås
- Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Oslo, Norway
| | - Øyvind Stigen
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Oslo, Norway
| | - Arild Espenes
- Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Oslo, Norway
| | - Cecilia Rohdin
- University Animal Hospital, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Rebecca Edlund
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Jennie Ohlsson
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Sigitas Cizinauskas
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Research Programs Unit, Molecular Medicine, University of Helsinki and Folkhälsen Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Páll S. Leifsson
- Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Cord Drögemüller
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Lars Moe
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Oslo, Norway
| | - Susanna Cirera
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Merete Fredholm
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
- * E-mail: (CSB); (MF)
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17
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Abstract
Hereditary ataxia was diagnosed in three smooth-haired fox terrier puppies from Sweden, 25 years after the previous known case in the breed. In addition to the characteristic spinal cord pathology, brain involvement was evident clinically, in the form of behavioural changes and bilaterally decreased menace responses, and histopathologically, with degenerative changes in the brainstem. The striking similarities to hereditary ataxia in the Jack Russell terrier suggest the same disease process in both breeds. A common ancestor, a female dog born in 1951 and considered a carrier of the disease at that time, was found in both the maternal and paternal lines of the three puppies.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Rohdin
- Albano Small Animal Hospital, Rinkebyvägen 23, 182 36 Danderyd, Sweden.
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18
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Rohdin C, Jeserevic J, Viitmaa R, Cizinauskas S. Prevalence of radiographic detectable intervertebral disc calcifications in Dachshunds surgically treated for disc extrusion. Acta Vet Scand 2010; 52:24. [PMID: 20398282 PMCID: PMC2873269 DOI: 10.1186/1751-0147-52-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2009] [Accepted: 04/14/2010] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background An association between the occurrence of calcified discs, visible on radiographic examination (CDVR), and disc extrusions has been suggested in published literature over the past 10-20 years, mainly from Nordic countries. It has also been postulated that dogs without CDVR would not develop disc extrusions. Furthermore, inheritance of CDVR has been calculated and it has been postulated that, by selecting dogs for breeding with few, or no CDVR, the prevalence of disc extrusions in the Dachshund population may be reduced. Methods The prevalence of radiographic detectable intervertebral disc calcifications was calculated from one hundred surgeries for disc extrusion, performed in 95 Dachshunds, in order to determine if the disc causing clinically significant IVDD, had radiographic signs of calcification at the time of confirmed disc extrusion. Inclusion criteria, for each dog, included a complete physical, orthopedic and neurologic examination, radiographs of the entire vertebral column, a myelogram or magnetic resonance imaging examination indicating extradural spinal cord compression, and finally a surgical procedure confirming the diagnosis of a disc extrusion. In addition to descriptive statistics, age correlation with number of calcifications visible at radiographic examination and with CDVR at the surgery site was examined. Results We found that disc extrusions occur as frequently in discs that are found to have radiographic evidence of calcification as those discs that do not have signs of radiographic calcification, and that IVDD (intervertebral disc disease) requiring surgery does occur in the absence of any calcified discs on radiographic examination. We found that calcified discs were more frequent in our Dachshund population compared to previous studies suggesting that disc calcification might be a serious risk factor for developing disc extrusion. Further studies are needed to show, conclusively, if selection of breeding dogs based on CDVR in the Dachshund will reduce the incidence of IVDD. The presence of the calcifications of intervertebral disc should be evaluated with caution, as only part of the calcifications will be detected and the real extent of the disc degeneration may be underestimated.
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