ABSTRACT
Uveodermatological syndrome and alopecia areata are autoimmune disorders causing ocular and dermatological inflammation and alopecia, respectively, in dogs. This is the first report to document concurrent development of the two diseases in a dog, as has been reported in human patients. Clinical presentation and histopathological diagnosis, treatment and clinical follow-up are described.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Polyautoimmunity is the expression of more than one autoimmune disease in a single patient. This report documents polyautoimmunity in a mixed breed dog with concurrent uveitis, cutaneous depigmentation, and inflammatory myopathy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 1-year-old male neutered mixed breed dog was presented for progressive generalized leukotrichia and leukoderma, bilateral panuveitis, and masticatory muscle atrophy. The latter progressed to myositis of lingual, pharyngeal, and masticatory muscles confirmed by biopsy. Temporalis muscle was completely replaced by adipose and fibrous tissue, and necrotic myofibers with extensive infiltration of mononuclear cells indicated active myositis of lingual muscle. Skin biopsies showed severe melanin clumping in epidermis, hair follicles, and hair shafts, and perifollicular pigmentary incontinence. Uveitis, depigmentation, and myositis affecting the masticatory, pharyngeal, and tongue muscles were diagnosed based on clinical, histological, and laboratory findings. CONCLUSIONS: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of concurrent uveitis, progressive cutaneous depigmentation, and inflammatory myopathy in a dog.
Subject(s)
Autoimmune Diseases , Dog Diseases , Myositis , Uveitis , Uveomeningoencephalitic Syndrome , Animals , Dogs , Male , Autoimmune Diseases/veterinary , Dog Diseases/diagnosis , Dog Diseases/pathology , Myositis/veterinary , Myositis/complications , Skin/pathology , Uveitis/veterinary , Uveomeningoencephalitic Syndrome/diagnosis , Uveomeningoencephalitic Syndrome/etiology , Uveomeningoencephalitic Syndrome/pathology , Uveomeningoencephalitic Syndrome/veterinaryABSTRACT
Autoimmune dermatoses targeting melanocytes have gained attention in human medicine due to their progressive nature and the social impact suffered by affected individuals. In veterinary medicine, vitiligo and the uveodermatological syndrome are the two autoimmune diseases that are known to affect skin melanocytes.In the first part of this article, we will review the signalment, clinical signs, histopathology and the treatment outcome of vitiligo in dogs, cats and horses; where pertinent, we compare the animal diseases to their human homologue. In a similar fashion, the information on the uveodermatological syndrome in dogs is reviewed and, where relevant, it is compared to the Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) syndrome in humans.Canine, feline and equine vitiligo have many features that mirror their human counterparts. The most effective treatment and outcome of vitiligo in animals remain unclear. The canine uveodermatological syndrome resembles the incomplete VKH variant in humans; for affected individuals, an immediate diagnosis and aggressive treatment are crucial to prevent the development of blindness.