Sterile granulomatous dermatitis and lymphadenitis (juvenile cellulitis) in adult dogs: a retrospective analysis of 90 cases (2004–2018)

Abstract

Background -It has long been speculated that sterile granulomatous dermatitis and lymphadenitis (SGDL) occurs in adult dogs. However, only three published case reports exist.Hypothesis/objectives -To describe clinical presentation, identify breed predispositions, and assess treatment and outcomes of adult dogs with the histopathological diagnosis of SGDL.Animals -Included are 90 dogs with biopsies submitted to a veterinary teaching hospital with a histopathological diagnosis consistent with SGDL, from 2004 to 2018, of which 35 had medical records available for review.Methods -Data were analysed retrospectively from histopathology submission forms, medical records, surveys and telephone calls. Scoring systems were created to aid statistical analysis of outcomes.Results -Havanese dog (P < 0.0001), Australian shepherd dog (P < 0.0001), Irish setter (P < 0.0001), Dachshund (P = 0.0002), bichon frise (P = 0.0003) and Maltese dog (P = 0.004) were significantly over-represented breeds. The median age at onset was 1,292 days (3.54 years). Dogs up to five years of age were significantly over-represented (P < 0.01). Of 35 dogs with medical records available for review, the median treatment duration was 60 days and the median time to remission 28 days. Remission status was not established for five dogs but the remaining 30 dogs reached remission. Nineteen dogs remained in complete remission. Recrudescence occurred in 11 dogs (median follow-up 60 days).Conclusions and clinical importance -This study shows a close parallel in clinical appearance, histopathological results and clinical behaviour, of both adult and juvenile onset SGDL; therefore, SGDL should be considered as a differential diagnosis for dogs of all ages.

Sterile pyogranuloma syndrome in a dog successfully treated with immunosuppressive therapy and reconstructive seed grafting

“…A diagnosis of SPS was made based on clinical presentation, histopathological examination, failure to demonstrate an infectious cause and response to therapy. Sterile pyogranulomatous dermatitis and lymphadenitis was considered less likely owing to the presence of dermal nodules and plaques 6 . Leishmaniasis is not endemic in Australia and therefore was not included as a differential diagnosis.…”

“…Sterile pyogranulomatous dermatitis and lymphadenitis was considered less likely owing to the presence of dermal nodules and plaques. 6 Leishmaniasis is not endemic in Australia and therefore was not included as a differential diagnosis.…”

Approach to emergency dermatology cases in dogs and cats

“…Juvenile sterile granulomatous dermatitis and lymphadenitis (SGDL), also known as canine juvenile cellulitis or puppy strangles, is an uncommon pustular, granulomatous dermatopathy affecting puppies and adult dogs. Although historically the condition has been described mostly in puppies (three to 16 weeks of age), Inga and others (2020) described it in 90 adult dogs, providing strong support for eliminating the age parameters. The exact aetiology and pathogenesis of SGDL remain unknown, with infectious‐ and vaccine‐ (the DHP [distemper, infectious hepatitis and parvovirus] vaccine) related aetiologies suggested but never proven.…”

Palisading granulomatous dermatitis and panniculitis (palisading granuloma) of dogs

“…Other noninfectious nodular to diffuse histiocytic dermatoses include sterile granuloma and pyogranuloma syndrome, reactive histiocytosis, cutaneous xanthoma, canine sarcoidosis, foreign body reactions, reactive fibrohistiocytic nodules, and sterile granulomatous dermatitis and lymphadenitis (juvenile and adult-onset cellulitis). 9,12 Additionally, though histologically distinct, histiocytic neoplasms in the skin may be nodular to diffuse and include canine cutaneous histiocytoma, Langerhans cell histiocytosis, and histiocytic sarcoma. 10,13,17,18 Histiocytes differentiate from CD34þ stem cell precursors of the bone marrow into circulating monocytes that mature into macrophages (CD11bþ, CD11dþ, CD18þ, IBA1þ, CD163þ, CD204þ, and CD1þ/À) on exit into tissues.…”