Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Risk of anal furunculosis linked to immune genes in German Shepherd
By Kennedy, L J et al.·Published in Tissue antigens·2008·University of Manchester, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Risk of anal furunculosis in German shepherd dogs is associated with the major histocompatibility complex.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of German Shepherd dogs suffering from anal furunculosis, a painful condition affecting the area around the anus, was studied to understand the genetic factors involved. Researchers found a strong link between a specific immune response gene and the likelihood of developing this disease, suggesting that genetics play a significant role in susceptibility. The study also indicated that dogs with this gene variant may experience symptoms earlier in life. Treatment with the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporin has shown positive results in managing the condition.
People also search for: German Shepherd anal furunculosis treatment · dog immune system diseases · cyclosporin for dogs with anal problems
Abstract
Anal furunculosis (AF) is a chronic, progressive inflammatory disease of the perianal tissues most frequently affecting middle-aged or older German Shepherd dogs (GSD). Because this breed accounts for over 80% of all reported cases, there is likely to be a genetic association with disease susceptibility. Although there are some similarities with perianal fistulation that occurs in human Crohn's disease, the aetiology and pathogenesis of AF are still poorly understood. Recent research has suggested an immune-mediated aetiology, and evidence for this has been further provided by clinical responses to the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporin. The aim of the current study was to investigate canine major histocompatibility complex immune response genes. Dog leucocyte antigen class II alleles and haplotypes were characterised by sequence-based typing of 107 GSD affected with AF and 196 breed-matched controls collected in the UK. A highly significant association of DLA-DRB1*00101 with the presence of AF was observed (OR = 5.01, CI = 2.7-9.3, P < 0.00000001). This association was confirmed in a second cohort of GSD collected in Finland. Homozygosity for this allele is associated with an earlier disease onset.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17999655/