Serum anti-GM2 and anti-GalNAc-GD1a IgG antibodies are biomarkers for acute canine polyradiculoneuritis

OBJECTIVES

A previous single-country pilot study indicated serum anti-GM2 and anti-GA1 anti-glycolipid antibodies as potential biomarkers for acute canine polyradiculoneuritis. This study aims to validate these findings in a large geographically heterogenous cohort.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sera from 175 dogs clinically diagnosed with acute canine polyradiculoneuritis, 112 dogs with other peripheral nerve, cranial nerve or neuromuscular disorders and 226 neurologically normal dogs were screened for anti-glycolipid antibodies against 11 common glycolipid targets to determine the immunoglobulin G anti-glycolipid antibodies with the highest combined sensitivity and specificity for acute canine polyradiculoneuritis.

RESULTS

Anti-GM2 anti-glycolipid antibodies reached the highest combined sensitivity and specificity (sensitivity: 65.1%, 95% confidence interval 57.6 to 72.2%; specificity: 90.2%, 95% confidence interval 83.1 to 95.0%), followed by anti-GalNAc-GD1a anti-glycolipid antibodies (sensitivity: 61.7%, 95% confidence interval 54.1 to 68.9%; specificity: 89.3%, 95% confidence interval 82.0 to 94.3%) and these anti-glycolipid antibodies were frequently present concomitantly. Anti-GA1 anti-glycolipid antibodies were detected in both acute canine polyradiculoneuritis and control animals. Both for anti-GM2 and anti-GalNAc-GD1a anti-glycolipid antibodies, sex was found a significantly associated factor with a female to male odds ratio of 2.55 (1.27 to 5.31) and 3.00 (1.22 to 7.89), respectively. Anti-GalNAc-GD1a anti-glycolipid antibodies were more commonly observed in dogs unable to walk (OR 4.56, 1.56 to 14.87).

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Anti-GM2 and anti-GalNAc-GD1a immunoglobulin G anti-glycolipid antibodies represent serum biomarkers for acute canine polyradiculoneuritis.

Investigation of the Role of Campylobacter Infection in Suspected Acute Polyradiculoneuritis in Dogs

Background

Acute polyradiculoneuritis (APN) is an immune‐mediated peripheral nerve disorder in dogs that shares many similarities with Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS) in humans, in which the bacterial pathogen Campylobacter spp. now is considered to be a major triggering agent. Little information is available concerning the relationship between APN and Campylobacter spp. in dogs.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To estimate the association between Campylobacter spp. infection and APN. Associations with additional potential risk factors also were investigated, particularly consumption of raw chicken.

Animals

Twenty‐seven client‐owned dogs suffering from suspected APN and 47 healthy dogs, client‐owned or owned by staff members.

Methods

Case‐control study with incidence density‐based sampling. Fecal samples were collected from each enrolled animal to perform direct culture, DNA extraction, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of Campylobacter spp. In some cases, species identification was performed by sequence analysis of the amplicon. Data were obtained from the medical records and owner questionnaires in both groups.

Results

In cases in which the fecal sample was collected within 7 days from onset of clinical signs, APN cases were 9.4 times more likely to be positive for Campylobacter spp compared to control dogs (P < 0.001). In addition, a significant association was detected between dogs affected by APN and the consumption of raw chicken (96% of APN cases; 26% of control dogs). The most common Campylobacter spp. identified was Campylobacter upsaliensis.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Raw chicken consumption is a risk factor in dogs for the development of APN, which potentially is mediated by infection with Campylobacter spp.