Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Necrotizing meningoencephalitis in five Chihuahua dogs.
- Journal:
- Veterinary pathology
- Year:
- 2008
- Authors:
- Higgins, R J et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Pathology · United States
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Five Chihuahua dogs, aged between 1.5 and 10 years, were diagnosed with a serious brain condition called necrotizing meningoencephalitis, which causes inflammation and damage to the brain and its protective layers. These dogs showed various neurological symptoms, including seizures, blindness, changes in behavior, and problems with posture, which had been happening for anywhere from 5 days to over 5 months before they were taken to the vet. Tests on their spinal fluid indicated inflammation, and brain scans revealed significant damage in areas responsible for processing information. Despite thorough examinations, no evidence of a viral infection was found, and the pattern of symptoms and brain damage was similar to cases seen in other breeds like Pugs and Maltese. Unfortunately, the outcome for these dogs was not specified, but the condition is known to be quite severe.
Abstract
An acute to chronic idiopathic necrotizing meningoencephalitis was diagnosed in 5 Chihuahua dogs aged between 1.5 and 10 years. Presenting neurologic signs included seizures, blindness, mentation changes, and postural deficits occurring from 5 days to 5.5 months prior to presentation. Cerebrospinal fluid analyses from 2 of 3 dogs sampled were consistent with an inflammatory disease. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain of 2 dogs demonstrated multifocal loss or collapse of cortical gray/white matter demarcation hypointense on T1-weighted images, with T2-weighted hyperintensity and slight postcontrast enhancement. Multifocal asymmetrical areas of necrosis or collapse in both gray and white matter of the cerebral hemispheres was seen grossly in 4 brains. Microscopically in all dogs, there was a severe, asymmetrical, intensely cellular, nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis usually with cystic necrosis in subcortical white matter. There were no lesions in the mesencephalon or metencephalon except in 1 dog. Immunophenotyping defined populations of CD3, CD11d, CD18, CD20, CD45, CD45 RA, and CD79a immunoreactive inflammatory cells varying in density and location but common to acute and chronic lesions. In fresh frozen lesions, both CD1b,c and CD11c immunoreactive dendritic antigen-presenting cells were also identified. Immunoreactivity for canine distemper viral (CDV) antigen was negative in all dogs. The clinical signs, distribution pattern, and histologic type of lesions bear close similarities to necrotizing meningoencephalitis as described in series of both Pug and Maltese breed dogs and less commonly in other breeds.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18487490/