Assessment of the use of brightfield microscopy for producing normative ranges for intraepidermal nerve fibre density in the dog

Chapman, Gail Elaine (2022) Assessment of the use of brightfield microscopy for producing normative ranges for intraepidermal nerve fibre density in the dog. MVM(R) thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Intra-epidermal nerve fibre (IENF) quantification is a useful tool which aids the diagnosis of small fibre neuropathies in human patients. This study aimed to investigate the practicality of IENF quantification in dogs, using skin biopsies from the distal limb. Technical methods for staining of nerve fibres were optimised and two IENF quantification protocols investigated. The utility of formalin fixation versus a standard fixative used in human medicine (Zamboni’s fixative) was assessed and an attempt was made to determine baseline values for IENF density (IENFD) in dogs without peripheral nerve disease.

Reproducibility of IENFD was poor: whilst intra-observer reproducibility for the same set of sections was reasonable, intra-sample reproducibility on a second set of sections did not show correlation with the first. Additionally, the overall density of fibres in canine haired skin was low, meaning that a very high level of reproducibility would be required to recommend a suitable diagnostic cut-off value. Increasing the length of epidermis quantified to ≥40 mm did not significantly improve intra-sample reproducibility.

Therefore, using the methods described here it is unlikely that the quantification of IENF in the haired skin of the dog can be used as a diagnostic test in peripheral nerve disease. Investigation of IENF quantification using immunofluorescence techniques and/or assessing the canine footpad, as an alternative to haired skin, may be warranted.

• Item Type: Thesis (MVM(R))
• Qualification Level: Masters
• Additional Information: Supported by funding from the University of Glasgow and the Veterinary Small Grants Fund.
• 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: Rupp, Dr. Angelika
• Date of Award: 2022
• Depositing User: Theses Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2022-81880
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 06 Aug 2024 12:58
• Last Modified: 06 Aug 2024 12:58
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.81880
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/81880