Meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown origin in dogs: investigation on potential cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers and description of breed specific findings in retrievers

Lazzerini, Kali Tulle (2019) Meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown origin in dogs: investigation on potential cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers and description of breed specific findings in retrievers. MVM(R) thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Meningoencephalomyelitis of Unknown Origin (MUO) is a non-infectious inflammatory disease of the central nervous system which is probably partially caused by an immune system dysfunction.
The complexity of this disease still challenges clinicians and researchers alike: a multidisciplinary approach combining clinical and molecular research may be the key not only to the elucidation of its pathogenesis, but also to improved diagnostic techniques and the development of new treatment strategies.
The search for potential cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers in MUO has shown that that the concentrations of some chemokines are higher in cerebrospinal fluid of dogs with this condition. In particular, one interesting candidate, the chemokine Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 was determined using multiplex array, but could not be confirmed using other methods because of methodological issues. This study highlighted several severe limitations we are faced within the study of MUO. One of the limiting factors of this approach is the marked variability in disease phenotypes. The description of this disease in Retriever dogs showed that they presented more commonly than other large and small breed dogs with vestibular signs and abnormal mentation, but rarely with seizures. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed extensive diffuse, bilateral asymmetrical, hyperintense to grey matter intra-axial lesions on T2-weighted sequences with ill-defined margins and an overall heterogeneous “patchy” appearance, with lesions involving the diencephalon and extending to the brainstem. This characteristic lesion pattern was different from the pattern in other small and large-breed dogs. Molecular studies might determine whether a genuine breed-related variation is present, which could provide researchers with a more homogeneous study population.

• Item Type: Thesis (MVM(R))
• Qualification Level: Masters
• Keywords: meningoencephalitis of unknown origin, cytokines, dog, brain, inflammation, retriever, cerebrospinal fluid, magnetic resonance imaging.
• Subjects: S Agriculture > SF Animal culture > SF600 Veterinary Medicine
• Colleges/Schools: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Supervisor's Name: Gutierrez-Quintana, Dr. Rodrigo and McLaughlin, Dr. Mark
• Date of Award: 2019
• Embargo Date: 5 December 2021
• Depositing User: Dr. Kali T. Lazzerini
• Unique ID: glathesis:2019-76744
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 11 Dec 2019 14:57
• Last Modified: 07 Dec 2020 08:31
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.76744
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/76744