Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Why do Shar-Pei dogs get skin mucinosis from hyaluronic acid buildup
By Zanna, G et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2008·Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Spain·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Cutaneous mucinosis in shar-pei dogs is due to hyaluronic acid deposition and is associated with high levels of hyaluronic acid in serum.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old Shar-Pei was diagnosed with cutaneous mucinosis, a skin condition characterized by excessive hyaluronic acid buildup. The dog's skin showed signs of swelling and thickening, which led to a veterinary examination. Tests revealed that the dog had significantly elevated levels of hyaluronic acid in its blood compared to healthy Shar-Peis. While there was no direct link found between skin changes and a specific receptor, the high serum levels confirmed the condition. Treatment options may focus on managing symptoms, as the condition is believed to stem from a genetic issue affecting hyaluronic acid metabolism.
People also search for: Shar-Pei skin problems · cutaneous mucinosis treatment · high hyaluronic acid in dogs · Shar-Pei skin swelling · dog skin condition causes
Abstract
Cutaneous mucinosis affects primarily shar-pei dogs. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is considered to be the main component of mucin and CD44 is the major cell surface receptor of HA, necessary for its uptake and catabolism. The aims of this study were to identify the composition of the mucin in cutaneous mucinosis of shar-pei dogs, investigate the correlation between the deposition of HA and the expression of CD44, and determine whether shar-pei dogs with cutaneous mucinosis presented with elevated levels of serum HA. In skin biopsies, the mucinous material was stained intensely with Alcian blue and bound strongly by the hyaluronan-binding protein. No correlation was found between the degree of HA deposition in the dermis and the expression of CD44 in the skin of shar-pei dogs affected or unaffected by cutaneous mucinosis. A clear positive correlation was found between the existence of clinical mucinosis and the serum HA concentration. In control dogs, serum HA ranged from 155.53 to 301.62 microg L(-1) in shar-pei dogs; without mucinosis it ranged from 106.72 to 1251.76 microg L(-1) and in shar-pei dogs with severe mucinosis it ranged between 843.51 to 2330.03 microg L(-1). Altogether, the results reported here suggest that mucinosis of shar-pei dogs is probably the consequence of a genetic defect in the metabolism of HA.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18786151/