Bilaterally Symmetrical Alopecia With Reticulated Hyperpigmentation

Abstract

An adult castrated male Doberman Pinscher was presented with a 6-month history of well-demarcated alopecic patches with reticulated hyperpigmentation and fine peripheral scaling on the axillae, thorax, abdomen, inguinal region, and thighs. The dog later developed hyperthermia, lethargy, apparent joint pain, peripheral lymphadenomegaly, vomiting, and diarrhea. Relevant laboratory tests results included anemia, thrombocytopenia, proteinuria, and an elevated antinuclear antibodies serum titer. Histologically, skin biopsy specimens had a lymphocyte-rich interface dermatitis and interface mural folliculitis ending in follicular destruction. Altogether, these signs were consistent with a unique alopecic variant of chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus, eventually associated with the development of systemic lupus erythematosus. This rare form of chronic cutaneous lupus needs to be added to the expanding list of lymphocyte-mediated autoimmune alopecias in dogs.

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus in dogs: a comprehensive review

“…Seven dogs with GDLE had a low positive ANA serum titer, but a progression with acquisition of additional criteria for SLE was not seen in any dog within the median follow up of 2.5 years (ranging 0.5 to 6 years) in the published series [ 10 ]. To our knowledge, the progression of a DLE variant to “clinical” SLE has been reported only in one dog [ 57 ].…”