Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Canine myasthenia gravis types including seronegative cases
By Rui Xavier Dos Santos et al.·Published in Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine·2025·Department of Veterinary Medicine University of Cambridge Cambridge UK, GB·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Case Series of Canine Myasthenia Gravis: A Classification Approach With Consideration of Seronegative Dogs
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 3-year-old mixed-breed dog was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis (MG), a condition that affects muscle control. This dog was part of a larger group of 167 dogs with MG, which were classified into different subgroups based on their symptoms. The seronegative group, which this dog belonged to, was found to be more common than previously thought and typically showed fewer signs of esophageal weakness compared to other groups. Treatment options and better diagnostic tests are needed for these dogs, as their outcomes can vary significantly based on the presence of complications like esophageal weakness.
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Abstract
ABSTRACT Background Myasthenia gravis (MG) is categorized into several subgroups, including seronegative MG. Seronegative human patients are well documented, but seronegative dogs remain clinically uncharacterized and their prevalence unknown. Objectives This study aims to evaluate the clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of canine MG subgroups. Animals One hundred sixty‐seven owner‐owned dogs diagnosed with MG from three referral centers. Methods Retrospective case series. We classified myasthenic dogs into subgroups, adhering to human guidelines. Results We classified 167 dogs into four subgroups: acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody‐positive generalized (49.7%, n = 83/167), focal (19.2%, n = 32/167) and thymoma‐associated MG (9%, n = 15/167) and seronegative MG (22.2%, n = 37/167). Dogs with thymoma‐associated MG were older (median 102 months; Interquartile Range (IQR) 96–120; p < 0.001) and seronegative dogs were younger (median 30 months; IQR 11.5–66; p = 0.017), compared to the generalized subgroup (median 67 months; IQR 36–96). Seronegative dogs presented less frequently with megaesophagus, compared to the generalized subgroup (63.8% vs. 85.7%; Odds Ratio 3.4; 95% confidence intervals (C.I.) 1.4–8.9; p = 0.025). Myasthenic dogs' survival time was significantly reduced when thymoma (Hazard Ratio (H.R.) 3.7; 95% C.I. 1.4–9.9; p = 0.028) or esophageal weakness (H.R. 3.8; 95% C.I. 2.0–7.0; p < 0.001) was present. Conversely, a higher likelihood of remission was achieved when esophageal weakness was absent (H.R. 3.8; 95% C.I. 1.4–10.0; p = 0.007). Conclusion and Clinical Importance Dogs with seronegative MG are more common than previously reported. Myasthenic subgroups differ in presentation and outcome, with esophageal weakness key to survival and remission. Diagnostic tests for seronegative dogs and effective treatments for esophageal weakness in myasthenic dogs are urgently needed.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.70113