Investigation of astrovirus and bornavirus in the cerebrospinal fluid of dogs clinically diagnosed with meningoencephalitis of unknown etiology

Collinet, Audrey; García, Gabriel; Wellehan, James F.X.; Childress, April; Carrera‐Justiz, Sheila

doi:10.1111/jvim.15677

Cited by 9 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…The significant difference in MUO prevalence found in our control and MUO groups and our lack of identification of infection through very sensitive techniques in a population highly exposed to L. infantum indicates that it is unlikely that this agent participates in the aetiology of MUO or acts as a trigger event, as described for other agents, such as distemper virus, Toxoplasma gondii , and/or Neospora caninum [ 1 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ]. Although further studies with a larger number of dogs are needed, it should be highlighted that the infectious agent looked for was ruled out in every dog included in this study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 81%

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Role of Leishmania infantum in Meningoencephalitis of Unknown Origin in Dogs from a Canine Leishmaniosis Endemic Area

et al. 2021

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The main hypothesis for the aetiology of meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO) in dogs is an autoimmune or genetic cause that is associated with a triggering event (environmental factors/infectious agents). The aim of this ambispective cohort study was to test for Leishmania infantum infection in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of dogs with MUO in an endemic area of canine leishmaniosis. Dogs with MUO were selected amongst all dogs undergoing blood anti-L. infantum antibody testing (control group). The blood plasma or serum samples from all dogs were analysed for anti- L. infantum antibodies by a quantitative indirect fluorescent assay (IFAT). In dogs with MUO, CSF samples were obtained for analysed by PCR detection of L. infantum DNA. Forty-four percent and 22% of the dogs in the MUO group featured magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and CSF cytology respectively, consistent with L. infantum infection. IFAT, PCR, and histological findings were negative for L. infantum. A significant difference in L. infantum infection prevalence was found between the control and MUO group (p = 0.0022). While it seems unlikely that L. infantum plays a role in the aetiology of MUO, in endemic areas, this pathogen should be included in the differential diagnosis of this neurological disorder.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 81%

“…Among the different triggering factors examined so far are environmental factors and infectious agents as possible activating agents of CNS cells. Notwithstanding, no infectious agent has been isolated in this context [ 1 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Role of Leishmania infantum in Meningoencephalitis of Unknown Origin in Dogs from a Canine Leishmaniosis Endemic Area

et al. 2021

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“…The findings shared here are consistent with previous research reports. In recent research studies, no occult infectious organisms have been identified in dogs with MUO ( 7 , 9 , 10 ) or CNS inflammation ( 5 , 8 ). However, this report expands on published research in several ways.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Most notably, researchers have long hypothesized that MUO has an infectious cause, either directly leading to stimulation of an immune response or triggering autoimmunity ( 3 ). However, to date, an infectious etiology for MUO has not been identified ( 4 – 10 ). Large numbers of dogs with neurological dysfunction also have been screened for specific infectious agents such as Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato ( 5 ), and Bartonella spp.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Screening for Viral Nucleic Acids in the Cerebrospinal Fluid of Dogs With Central Nervous System Inflammation

Barber

Li²,

Levine

et al. 2022

Front. Vet. Sci.

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Central nervous system (CNS) inflammation is a common cause of neurological dysfunction in dogs. Most dogs with CNS inflammation are diagnosed with presumptive autoimmune disease. A smaller number are diagnosed with an infectious etiology. Additionally, at necropsy, a subset of dogs with CNS inflammation do not fit previously described patterns of autoimmune disease and an infectious cause is not readily identifiable. Because viral infection is a common cause of meningoencephalitis in people, we hypothesize that a subset of dogs presented with CNS inflammation have an occult viral infection either as a direct cause of CNS inflammation or a trigger for autoimmunity. The goal of this research was to screen cerebrospinal fluid from a large number dogs with CNS inflammation for occult viral infection. One hundred seventy-two dogs with neurological dysfunction and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pleocytosis were identified. Of these, 42 had meningoencephalitis of unknown origin, six had steroid-responsive meningitis-arteritis, one had eosinophilic meningoencephalitis, five had documented infection, 21 had and undetermined diagnosis, and 97 had a diagnosis not consistent with primary inflammatory disease of the CNS (e.g., neoplasia). CSF samples were subsequently screened with broadly reactive PCR for eight viral groups: adenovirus, bunyavirus, coronavirus, enterovirus, flavivirus, herpesvirus, paramyxovirus, and parechovirus. No viral nucleic acids were detected from 168 cases screened for eight viral groups, which does not support occult viral infection as a cause of CNS inflammation in dogs. La Crosse virus (LACV) nucleic acids were detected from four cases in Georgia. Subclinical infection was supported in two of these cases but LACV could not be ruled-out as a cause of infection in the other two cases, suggesting further research is warranted to determine if LACV is an occult cause of CNS inflammation in dogs.

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“…Attempts to identify an underlying infectious agent have failed so far. Thus, an autoimmune pathogenesis is suspected [3][4][5][6]. Major factors contributing to the disease are genetic susceptibility and environmental factors [1].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of oligoclonal bands in cerebrospinal fluid and serum of dogs with meningoencephalitis of unknown origin

et al. 2023

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Background Meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO) is an inflammatory disease of the canine central nervous system (CNS) that shares several features with multiple sclerosis (MS) in humans. In approximately 95% of MS patients, ≥ two immunoglobulin G (IgG) oligoclonal bands (OCBs) are detectable exclusively in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Hypothesis/objectives To investigate OCBs in CSF and serum in dogs affected by MUO, intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), idiopathic epilepsy (IE), intracranial neoplasia (IN), steroid-responsive meningitis-arteritis (SRMA), and diseases outside the CNS. We hypothesize that the highest prevalence of CSF-specific OCBs (≥ two OCBs uniquely in the CSF) would be found in dogs affected by MUO. Animals Client-owned dogs (n = 121) presented to the neurology service due to neurological deficits. Methods Prospective study. Measurement of IgG concentration in CSF and serum via a canine IgG ELISA kit. OCB detection via isoelectric focusing (IEF) and immunoblot. Results Presence of CSF-specific OCBs was significantly higher in dogs with MUO (57%) compared to 22% in IN, 6% in IE, 15% in SRMA, 13% in IVDD, and 0% in the non-CNS group (p < .001). Dogs with MUO were 9.9 times more likely to show CSF-specific OCBs than all other diseases together (95% confidence interval, 3.7–26.4; p < .001). Conclusions and clinical importance MUO showed the highest prevalence of CSF-specific OCBs, indicating an inflammatory B cell response. Future studies are needed to evaluate the prevalence in the specific MUO subtypes and a possible similarity with human MS.

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Investigation of astrovirus and bornavirus in the cerebrospinal fluid of dogs clinically diagnosed with meningoencephalitis of unknown etiology

Cited by 9 publications

References 38 publications

Role of Leishmania infantum in Meningoencephalitis of Unknown Origin in Dogs from a Canine Leishmaniosis Endemic Area

Role of Leishmania infantum in Meningoencephalitis of Unknown Origin in Dogs from a Canine Leishmaniosis Endemic Area

Screening for Viral Nucleic Acids in the Cerebrospinal Fluid of Dogs With Central Nervous System Inflammation

Assessment of oligoclonal bands in cerebrospinal fluid and serum of dogs with meningoencephalitis of unknown origin

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