Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Canine necrotizing encephalitis associated with anti-glomerular basement membrane glomerulonephritis.
- Journal:
- Journal of comparative pathology
- Year:
- 2007
- Authors:
- Aresu, L et al.
- Affiliation:
- Dipartimento di Patologia Animale · Italy
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 2-year-old male West Highland white terrier had been having seizures for four months and was referred for further investigation. During the neurological exam, he showed signs of being less responsive and had difficulty with coordination. A post-mortem examination of his brain revealed multiple areas of inflammation and damage, leading to a diagnosis of necrotizing meningoencephalitis (a serious brain condition). Additionally, tests on his kidneys showed signs of a specific type of kidney inflammation called anti-glomerular basement membrane glomerulonephritis, which suggests that the immune system may have played a role in both conditions. Unfortunately, the outcome was not favorable, as the dog had significant brain damage associated with these conditions.
Abstract
A 2-year-old male West Highland white terrier with a 4-month history of seizures was referred for investigation. Depressed mentation, proprioceptive deficit and decreased menace response were noted at neurological examination. Post-mortem examination of the brain revealed multifocal lesions located principally in the left side of the diencephalon and mesencephalon. The lesions consisted of non-suppurative inflammation and large areas of cavitation. The clinical evaluation and histopathological findings were consistent with a diagnosis of necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME). Immunofluorescence performed on frozen sections of kidney revealed strong smooth linear labelling of the glomerular basement membrane with anti-IgG serum as well as weaker linear labelling with anti-IgM serum. This histomorphological pattern was consistent with anti-glomerular basement membrane glomerulonephritis. The association of this type of glomerulonephritis with a necrotizing encephalitis would support the hypothesis of an immune-mediated aetiology for NME.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17459407/