» Articles » PMID: 8531175

Diagnosis of Inflammatory and Infectious Diseases of the Central Nervous System in Dogs: a Retrospective Study

Overview
Date 1995 Sep 1
PMID 8531175
Citations 41
Authors
Affiliations
Soon will be listed here.
Abstract

The medical records of 220 dogs with inflammatory/infectious diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) were retrospectively examined. The aims of the study were to determine if clinical and clinicopathologic data (not including biopsy or necropsy examination) could distinguish inflammatory CNS diseases from diseases of other types, and to search for criteria allowing differentiation of specific inflammatory diseases. The signalment, historical findings, extraneural and neurological signs, and the lesion site contributed marginally to a specific diagnosis. Multifocal signs were only noticed in one third of the dogs with inflammatory/infectious diseases. Particular neurological abnormalities were more frequent in certain diseases than in others (eg, myoclonus was frequent in dogs with distemper, but it was also found in those with other meningoencephalomyelitides). Hematologic findings contributed to the diagnosis in certain conditions (eg, canine distemper encephalitis, protozoal encephalomyelitis, steroid-responsive meningitis-arteritis). Cerebrospinal fluid examinations, including immunoglobulin G index and cytology were useful to separate meningoencephalomyelitides from the other CNS diseases and to distinguish certain conditions from others. In most cases a specific diagnosis depended on a combination of clinical signs and ancillary diagnostic aids. Still, a specific diagnosis remained very difficult, if not impossible, in at least one third of the dogs.

Citing Articles

Usefulness of neurological assessment scales in prognosis of meningoencephalitis of unknown origin in Yorkshire Terriers.

Brewinska L, Banasik A, Czopowicz M, Plonek M, Giza E, Czerwik A BMC Vet Res. 2025; 21(1):112.

PMID: 40011993 PMC: 11863485. DOI: 10.1186/s12917-025-04594-2.


On the utility of cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers in canine neurological disorders.

Smolek T, Vince-Kazmerova Z, Hanes J, Stevens E, Palus V, Hajek I Sci Rep. 2024; 14(1):24129.

PMID: 39406773 PMC: 11480401. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-73812-y.


Magnetic resonance imaging findings in dogs with steroid-responsive meningitis-arteritis in the UK and their clinical significance: 53 cases (2013-2021).

Jones B, Agthe P, Scarpante E, Crawford A, Black V, Espadas I J Small Anim Pract. 2024; 66(1):33-42.

PMID: 39228252 PMC: 11736089. DOI: 10.1111/jsap.13775.


Abnormal Hyperphosphorylation of Tau in Canine Immune-mediated Meningoencephalitis.

Son M, Chae Y, Kim S, Yun T, Koo Y, Lee D In Vivo. 2023; 37(3):1065-1076.

PMID: 37103078 PMC: 10188050. DOI: 10.21873/invivo.13181.


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

Prummer J, Stein V, Marti E, Lutterotti A, Jelcic I, Schupbach-Regula G PLoS One. 2023; 18(1):e0280864.

PMID: 36696385 PMC: 9876372. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280864.