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Published on: December 15, 2011
Monoclonal gammopathy in a dog with chronic pyoderma
M J Burkhard1, D J Meyer, R A Rosychuk
1Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523, USA.
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
|September 1, 1995
Summary
A dog with chronic skin disease had a monoclonal gammopathy, a condition involving abnormal proteins. This diagnosis was confirmed after ruling out other causes and observing improvement with antibiotics.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Immunology
- Oncology
Background:
- Monoclonal gammopathy is characterized by the overproduction of a single immunoglobulin.
- Concurrent light-chain proteinuria and lymph node plasmacytosis can indicate underlying disease.
- Chronic pyoderma in dogs can have various underlying causes, including immune-mediated conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a case of monoclonal gammopathy in a dog with chronic pyoderma.
- To investigate the association between monoclonal gammopathy and chronic skin disease in canines.
- To expand the differential diagnoses for monoclonal gammopathy in veterinary medicine.
Main Methods:
- Cytological and histological examination of lymph node specimens.
- Serum protein electrophoresis to identify monoclonal immunoglobulin.
- Urinalysis to detect light-chain proteinuria.
- Exclusion of other causes of monoclonal gammopathy, including lymphoproliferative disease.
- Response to antibiotic therapy as a diagnostic indicator.
Main Results:
- A monoclonal gammopathy composed of immunoglobulin G was identified.
- Generalized lymph node plasmacytosis with a uniform plasma cell population was observed.
- Light-chain proteinuria was concurrently present.
- The condition resolved following antibiotic therapy.
- No evidence of lymphoproliferative disease was found during an 11-month follow-up and necropsy.
Conclusions:
- Monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance can be associated with chronic pyoderma in dogs.
- This case highlights the importance of considering monoclonal gammopathy in the diagnostic workup of chronic skin conditions in dogs.
- Antibiotic therapy may lead to resolution, suggesting an infectious trigger or secondary immune response.
