A new familial glomerulonephropathy in Bernese mountain dogs

Abstract

Between 1989 and 1992, 22 Bernese mountain dogs (18 females and four males) aged between two and seven years, which had been suffering for some weeks from weight loss, anorexia, apathy, vomiting, polydipsia and polyuria, were examined. All of them had high blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine concentrations, and many had hyperphosphataemia, hypercholesterolaemia, hypoproteinaemia and nonregenerative anaemia. All the dogs had very high protein: creatinine ratios in the urine, and macroproteinuria was identified by sodium dodecyl sulphate gel electrophoresis. The immunofluorescent titres against Borrelia burgdorferi, measured in 19 of the dogs, ranged between 256 and 32,768. In all cases, membrano-proliferative glomerulonephritis with concomitant interstitial nephritis was diagnosed. From an analysis of the dogs' pedigree it was concluded that the glomerulonephritis of these Bernese mountain dogs was inherited as an autosomal recessive trait and that its expression was influenced by a second gene locus with a sex-linked dominance exchange.

Increased prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi infections in Bernese Mountain Dogs: a possible breed predisposition

“…Glomerulonephritis in dogs has been associated with B. burgdorferi infections [1-5] and in some studies spirochetes were detected in the kidneys [2,3] and the urine [2]. However some of the authors questioned the relationship of a renal lesion with B. burgdorferi [1,3]; still others assumed B. burgdorferi to be the causative agent for renal lesions [2].…”

“…However some of the authors questioned the relationship of a renal lesion with B. burgdorferi [1,3]; still others assumed B. burgdorferi to be the causative agent for renal lesions [2]. In Bernese Mountain Dogs, a familial glomerulonephritis was reported [4,5]. However, antibodies against B. burgdorferi were found in most dogs, raising the question of whether the occurrence of glomerular disease in Bernese Mountain Dogs is related to an infection with B. burgdorferi or if the breed is predisposed to infections with B. burgdorferi .…”

Familial Glomerulonephropathy in the Bullmastiff

“…22,26 A hereditary basis for glomerulopathy is also highly likely in the Doberman Pinscher 4,30 and the Newfoundland dog. 20 The age of onset of clinical signs in familial glomerulopathies ranges from a few weeks to several years of age.…”

Oculo-renal Disorders in Infectious Diseases

“…All the dogs had very high protein: creatinine ratios in the urine. In all cases, membrano-proliferative glomerulonephritis with concomitant interstitial nephritis was diagnosed [62]. Furthermore, tubulointerstitial nephritis [63] has been reported in humans.…”