Loss of alpha-smooth muscle actin expression associated with chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction in a young Miniature Bull Terrier

Abstract

BackgroundChronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO) is a rare clinical syndrome in veterinary medicine characterized by severe intestinal dysmotility without evidence of mechanical occlusion of the intestinal lumen. The exact pathogenesis of CIPO is unknown.Case presentationA 1-year-old male Miniature Bull Terrier dog was presented with a history of chronic weight loss, regurgitation, lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea. The dog was submitted for exploratory laparotomy. A full thickness intestinal biopsy was taken and a CIPO was suspected. The clinical condition deteriorated and the dog was euthanized. At gross examination the small intestine was severely dilated. Histologically severe fibrosis of the submucosa and severe atrophy of the tunica muscularis were present in small intestine and colon. Immunohistochemical examination with a panel of antibodies for gastro-intestinal neuromuscular disease-associated antigens revealed a severely reduced expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin in the tunica muscularis.ConclusionsThis case report describes the gross, histological and immunohistochemical findings of CIPO affecting a 1-year-old Miniature Bull Terrier; on the basis of these findings a myopathic form of CIPO is hypothesized in this case.

Derivation of adult canine intestinal organoids for translational research in gastroenterology

“…IHC was performed using established protocols [70–73]. Briefly, sections were deparaffinized and rehydrated using an automated system with manual antigen retrieval and blocking steps.…”

Adult Canine Intestinal Derived Organoids: A Novel In Vitro System for Translational Research in Comparative Gastroenterology

“…IHC was performed using established protocols [69–72]. Briefly, sections were deparaffinized and rehydrated using an automated system with manual antigen retrieval and blocking steps.…”

Pathology in Practice

“…The pathological and IHC findings in the current case are consistent with those reported in cases of smooth muscle α-actin deficiency in veterinary medicine. 1,2 This disorder has been described in a cat and a dog that had clinical signs that were compatible with intestinal pseudo-obstruction, including anorexia, regurgitation, vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss. 1,2 In human medicine, smooth muscle α-actin deficiency is associated with similar clinical signs, including chronic, recurrent episodes of abdominal pain, abdominal distension, constipation or diarrhea, vomiting, and weight loss.…”

“…1,2 This disorder has been described in a cat and a dog that had clinical signs that were compatible with intestinal pseudo-obstruction, including anorexia, regurgitation, vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss. 1,2 In human medicine, smooth muscle α-actin deficiency is associated with similar clinical signs, including chronic, recurrent episodes of abdominal pain, abdominal distension, constipation or diarrhea, vomiting, and weight loss. 3 Intestinal pseudo-obstruction is clinically characterized by intestinal dysmotility in the absence of mechanical obstruction of the lumen.…”