Erosive rhinitis resembling granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener’s granulomatosis) in an Anatolian shepherd dog

Abstract

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's granulomatosis) is one of the idiopathic immune-mediated small-vessel vasculitides described in humans which are characterised by the presence of circulating antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies. It most commonly involves capillaries, venules and arterioles of the ear, nose and throat, lungs and glomeruli. A case of destructive haemopurulent rhinitis associated with relapsing periods of pyrexia, lethargy and stiffness as well as generalised pulmonary infiltrates in a young Anatolian shepherd dog is presented that closely resembles granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) as reported in humans. Perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (pANCA) were detected in the dog's serum. Signs resolved promptly and completely once immunosuppressive doses of prednisone were administered, and have not recurred. This is the first report on the use of pANCA to investigate rhinitis in dogs. It is also, to the authors’ knowledge, the first description of a relapsing haemopurulent lytic rhinitis in this species. The concurrent manifestations of erosive haemopurulent rhinitis, ground-glass opacities on pulmonary computed tomography, pyrexia and listlessness resemble GPA as described in humans.

Recurrent ulcerative necrotising stomatitis in two dogs with concurrent steroid‐responsive chronic rhinitis and suspected underlying oral vasculitis

“…However, similar oral lesions have been described in one dog that showed persistent multifocal areas of proliferative, painful gingivitis 9 . Another case reports a strong suspicion of the disease associated with an erosive rhinitis 32 . Both cases achieved clinical remission once immunosuppression was implemented either with prednisolone alone or combined with cyclophosphamide alongside other medications such as tetracycline, niacinamide and tramadol.…”

“…9 Another case reports a strong suspicion of the disease associated with an erosive rhinitis. 32 Both cases achieved clinical remission once immunosuppression was implemented either with prednisolone alone or combined with cyclophosphamide alongside other medications such as tetracycline, niacinamide and tramadol. The two cases reported here with the combination of a possible immune-mediated vasculitis causing oral ulceration and ongoing chronic rhinitis share some similarities with GPA.…”

Current diagnostics for chronic enteropathies in dogs

“…However, it should be noted that the pANCA test will not differentiate between PLE and/or PLN in this breed; and therefore, other tests should be used to complement clinical investigations. Since those earlier studies, pANCA have also been found in other auto‐immune canine diseases, such as immune‐mediated hemolytic anemia and immune‐mediated thrombocytopenia, as well as in a case of possible Wegener's granulomatosis in a dog 37 . Importantly, serum pANCA can also be seen in neoplastic diseases, and some vector‐borne infectious diseases 38 .…”