Adult onset acquired myasthenia gravis in three great dane littermates

Authors: Kent; Glass¹; Acierno²; Shelton³

Source: The Journal of Small Animal Practice, Volume 49, Number 12, December 2008 , pp. 647-650(4)

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Abstract:

Acquired canine myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease in which autoantibodies are directed against muscle postsynaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Three adult great dane littermates were evaluated over a four month time period for an acute onset of generalised neuromuscular signs. All three dogs had elevated serum acetylcholine receptor antibody titres, which were considered diagnostic for acquired myasthenia gravis. Identification of three littermates with acquired myasthenia gravis in a breed with a low relative risk of developing the disease suggests a familial and possibly a genetic predisposition to myasthenia gravis in this family of dogs.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-5827.2008.00627.x

Affiliations: 1: Section of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Red Bank Veterinary Hospital, 197 Hance Avenue, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724, USA 2: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA 3: Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, LaJolla, CA 92093-0709, USA

Publication date: 2008-12-01