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Necrotizing meningoencephalitis in five Chihuahua dogs
R J Higgins1, P J Dickinson, S A Kube
1Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA. rjhiggins@ucdavis.edu
Veterinary Pathology
|May 20, 2008
Summary
Idiopathic necrotizing meningoencephalitis was diagnosed in Chihuahua dogs, presenting with neurological signs and brain lesions. This condition shares similarities with necrotizing meningoencephalitis in other breeds.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Neurology
- Canine Pathology
- Neuroimmunology
Background:
- Idiopathic necrotizing meningoencephalitis (INM) is a severe neurological disorder.
- Previous reports have described INM in Pug and Maltese breeds.
- Chihuahua dogs are increasingly recognized as potentially affected.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the clinical, diagnostic, and histopathological features of INM in Chihuahua dogs.
- To compare the findings in Chihuahuas to previously reported cases of INM in other breeds.
- To characterize the inflammatory cell populations involved in the disease process.
Main Methods:
- Case series involving 5 Chihuahua dogs diagnosed with INM.
- Neurological examination, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- Gross necropsy, histopathology, and immunophenotyping of inflammatory cells.
Main Results:
- Dogs presented with seizures, blindness, and mentation changes.
- Cerebrospinal fluid analysis indicated inflammation; MRI showed multifocal gray/white matter lesions.
- Histopathology revealed severe, asymmetrical, nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis with cystic necrosis.
- Immunophenotyping identified various inflammatory and dendritic cells; canine distemper virus antigen was negative.
Conclusions:
- Chihuahua dogs can develop INM with clinical and pathological features similar to other breeds.
- The disease involves a complex inflammatory infiltrate.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the pathogenesis and potential treatments for INM in dogs.
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