Canine Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. I: A Study of 75 Cases

Abstract

We studied 75 cases of canine systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presenting with at least four criteria of the American Rheumatism Association (ARA), including antinuclear antibodies (ANAb). This disease mainly affects male German shepherds of an average age of 5 years. The most common clinical signs are polyarthritis (91% of cases), and renal (65%) and cutaneo-mucous disorders (60%). Hemolytic anemia is rare (13%). ANAb are present, often at high levels (> 256 up to 10(6) by indirect immunofluorescence on mouse blood smears). The titers are correlated with the severity and the stage of the disease. As double-stranded DNA Ab are rare and as antihistone Ab are frequent, the former could be replaced by the latter in the ARA criteria applied to the SLE dog. Another category of ANAb, named anti-type 1, also seems useful in diagnosing canine SLE. As for therapy, long-term remissions (up to 9 years without treatment) were obtained in 55.6% of 27 SLE dogs treated by levamisole. At first, levamisole was associated with induction corticotherapy, then administered alone and finally discontinued. Side effects were uncommon and transient.

Canine perianal furunculosis and interdigital lesions: Probable systemic lupus erythematosus

“…Improvement of the perianal and interdigital lesions was apparent after 30 days of treatment without relapse. The immunosuppressor therapy was instituted as is usually prescribed for lupus and perianal furunculosis, and cases in which histopathol ogy results support an immune-mediated process (Fournel et al 1992, Scott et al 2003, Doust et al 2005, Patterson and Camphell 2005.…”

Autoantibodies to histone, DNA and nucleosome antigens in canine systemic lupus erythematosus

“…Diagnosis of SLE required fulfillment of at least four of the American Rheumatism Association criteria for human SLE. All SLE dog sera were positive for the detection of antinuclear antibodies by immunofluorescence [5].…”

“…The dog is another mammalian species to present with SLE [2][3][4]. The canine lupus model is particularly interesting because of its clinical similarity with human SLE, Frequent manifestations in canine lupus include fever, polyarthritis, glomerulonephritis, mucocutaneous lesions and adenosplenomegaly [5]. Like human SLE, canine lupus is a chronic disease with alternating subacute periods and relapses.…”

Bilaterally Symmetrical Alopecia With Reticulated Hyperpigmentation

“…7 Although not mentioned in the text, alopecia was reported in the legends of the first two figures. In a series of 75 dogs with SLE, mucocutaneous lesions were reported in 60% of dogs, 2 and were described only as ''photosensitization, alopecia with or without dermatitis, erythema, ulceration and occasional hyperkeratosis.'' 2 The skin lesions of our patient are unique in that they appeared early in the course of the disease, before clinical signs of SLE were noted.…”

“…In a series of 75 dogs with SLE, mucocutaneous lesions were reported in 60% of dogs, 2 and were described only as ''photosensitization, alopecia with or without dermatitis, erythema, ulceration and occasional hyperkeratosis.'' 2 The skin lesions of our patient are unique in that they appeared early in the course of the disease, before clinical signs of SLE were noted. The duration of the dermatosis and the presence of a lymphocyte-rich interface dermatitis and mural folliculitis warrant their inclusion, using the current human classification, under the umbrella of CCLE.…”