Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Why dogs with steroid-responsive meningitis-arteritis have high IgA
By Schwartz, M et al.·Published in Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)·2011·Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, Germany·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Pathogenetic factors for excessive IgA production: Th2-dominated immune response in canine steroid-responsive meningitis-arteritis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with a condition called steroid-responsive meningitis-arteritis (SRMA) showed signs of inflammation in their neck and increased levels of a protein called immunoglobulin A (IgA) in their blood and spinal fluid. Researchers found that these dogs had a specific immune response that favored certain immune cells, which may contribute to the high IgA levels. This study suggests that the immune system's response in these dogs could be a key factor in their condition. Treatment with glucocorticoids (steroids) is commonly used for SRMA, and understanding this immune response may help improve future treatments.
People also search for: dog meningitis treatment · SRMA in dogs symptoms · glucocorticoids for dog inflammation
Abstract
Canine steroid-responsive meningitis-arteritis (SRMA) is a systemic inflammatory disease with a predominant manifestation within the cervical meninges, increased immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and a shift of the B:T cell ratio towards a higher percentage of B cells. A Th2-dominated immune response associated with SRMA was therefore hypothesised. Pellets of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) and CSF white blood cells (CSF WBCs) from dogs in the acute phase of SRMA (n=16) and under glucocorticoid treatment for SRMA (n=16) were investigated for interleukin (IL)-2, interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10 mRNA expression by means of reverse-transcriptase real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results were compared with those of dogs with other inflammatory (n=9) and neoplastic disorders (n=10) of the central nervous system. A tendency towards low levels of Th1 response related cytokines (IL-2, IFN-γ) and high IL-4 expression was observed indicating a Th2-skewed immune response. The pronounced IL-4 production may be an important pathogenetic factor for excessive IgA production in the acute phase of SRMA and for those cases under glucocorticoid treatment.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20117950/