Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
IV stem cell therapy tested in 13 Pugs with early brain inflammation
By Windsor, Rebecca C et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2025·1Ethos Discovery·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Intravenous allogeneic mesenchymal stromal cell therapy in 13 Pugs with presumptive early necrotizing meningoencephalitis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Thirteen Pugs with serious neurological symptoms, including seizures, difficulty moving their paws, and confusion, were treated with intravenous mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapy for early necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME). Within 24 hours of the first treatment, all dogs showed significant improvement in their symptoms, with an average recovery of 86%. While some dogs experienced mild side effects, all 13 Pugs are currently in remission, with half of them maintaining their recovery with MSC therapy alone. This treatment appears promising for managing neuroinflammatory diseases in dogs, but more research is needed to ensure long-lasting benefits.
People also search for: Pug seizures treatment · dog neurological symptoms · mesenchymal stromal cell therapy for dogs · early necrotizing meningoencephalitis in Pugs · dog recovery from NME
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe the tolerability and activity of IV allogeneic mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapy in 13 Pugs with presumptive early necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME). METHODS: 255 Pugs were screened from 2021 to 2024 for neurological examination (NE) abnormalities suggestive of early NME. All dogs received a minimum of 2 NEs spaced 2 to 4 weeks apart. An NE score (NES) was assigned at each visit. Magnetic resonance imaging, CSF analysis, and infectious disease testing was obtained in all affected Pugs. Pugs with consistent or progressive NES and MRI or CSF findings supportive of early NME were eligible for MSC therapy. RESULTS: NE abnormalities prior to MSC therapy included spinal hyperesthesia (11 of 13 [85%]), paw placement deficit (11 of 13 [85%]), menace deficit (9 of 13 [69%]), obtundation (9 of 13 [69%]), seizures (7 of 13 [54%]), and ataxia (4 of 13 [31%]). The NES improved in all dogs within 24 hours of the first dose of MSC (mean improvement, 86%). Mild adverse events were noted after 3 of 30 MSC doses (10%). All 13 dogs are currently in remission (follow-up time, 5 to 43 months); 7 of 13 Pugs (54%) remained in remission after MSC therapy alone, and 6 of 13 (46%) required the addition of immunosuppressive therapy. CONCLUSIONS: IV allogeneic MSC administration was well tolerated and resulted in immediate clinical benefit in this small cohort of Pugs with presumptive early NME. Strategies to maintain the long-term benefits of MSC therapy require further study. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Immunomodulatory MSC therapy may be a potential treatment for neuroinflammatory disease in dogs. Further studies are needed to optimize long-term benefits.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40752520/