Adult onset acquired myasthenia gravis in three Great Dane littermates

J Small Anim Pract. 2008 Dec;49(12):647-50. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.2008.00627.x. Epub 2008 Aug 5.

Abstract

Acquired canine myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease in which autoantibodies are directed against muscle postsynaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Three adult great dane littermates were evaluated over a four month time period for an acute onset of generalised neuromuscular signs. All three dogs had elevated serum acetylcholine receptor antibody titres, which were considered diagnostic for acquired myasthenia gravis. Identification of three littermates with acquired myasthenia gravis in a breed with a low relative risk of developing the disease suggests a familial and possibly a genetic predisposition to myasthenia gravis in this family of dogs.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autoantibodies / blood*
  • Breeding
  • Dog Diseases / diagnosis
  • Dog Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Dog Diseases / genetics
  • Dog Diseases / immunology
  • Dogs
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Male
  • Myasthenia Gravis / epidemiology
  • Myasthenia Gravis / genetics
  • Myasthenia Gravis / immunology
  • Myasthenia Gravis / veterinary*
  • Pedigree
  • Receptors, Cholinergic / immunology*

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Receptors, Cholinergic