Nonsuppurative Meningoencephalitis in a Laboratory Beagle Dog

Abstract

Abstract:We encountered a case of nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis with neurologic signs of depression, tremor, and ataxic gait in a 15-month-old vaccinated male beagle dog. Hematologic and biochemical parameters indicated no significant changes except for some findings suggesting dehydration and anorexia. Microscopically, the main features consisted of nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis with disseminated foci of perivascular cuffing of mononuclear cell in the leptomeninges and gray matter of the cerebrum and cerebellum. Some glial nodules, which were characterized by accumulation of microglia, were seen in the molecular layer of the cerebellum. Demyelination and neuronal necrosis were not observed in the central nervous system. Although the dog had a slightly elevated serum antibody titer to canine distemper virus (CDV), neither viral inclusion bodies, nor CDV antigens were detected in the brain tissue. The cause of disease in this case remained unclear. (J Toxicol Pathol 2004; 17: 51-53)