[A case of necrotizing meningoencephalitis in a pug dog (pug dog encephalitis--PDE)]

A three-year-old female pug dog was euthanized because of recurrent seizures. Pathological examination revealed severe multifocal necrosis confined to the cerebrum. Histologically, areas of malacia of different stages, with prominent gitter cell infiltration were observed. Furthermore, there was severe rarefication resulting in cavities separated by tissue bridges and blood vessels. In the adjacent tissue and in the meninges a moderate to severe non-purulent meningoencephalitis was evident. The lesions are consistent with those reported for pug dog encephalitis (PDE). In the present paper, the first case of PDE in Germany is described and an overview of the clinical symptoms, the neuropathological findings of this etiologically unknown disease, the differential diagnoses and the possible pathogenesis is given.