BACKGROUND: Idiopathic epilepsy (IE) in Australian Shepherds (ASs) occurs worldwide but there is a lack of description of the epilepsy syndrome in this breed. The ABCB1-1Δ mutation is more prevalent in ASs than in many other dog breeds. HYPOTHESIS: Australian Shepherds suffer from a poorly controlled IE syndrome with prevailing severe courses. Seizure control and ABCB1-1Δ mutation might be related in this breed. ANIMALS: Fifty ASs diagnosed with IE and 50 unaffected ASs. METHODS: Predominant study design is a longitudinal cohort study. Pedigrees, medical records, seizure, and treatment data of ASs with IE were analyzed descriptively. Sex, color, and the ABCB1-1Δ genotype were compared between case and control groups and ASs with poorly or well-controlled seizures. Differences in survival times were assessed by logrank tests and Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Idiopathic epilepsy in ASs is dominated by moderate and severe clinical courses with the occurrence of cluster seizures and status epilepticus and a high seizure frequency. Poor seizure control and a high initial seizure frequency (≥10 seizure days/first 6 months) are associated with shorter survival times (P < .05). Poor seizure control, unrelated to the ABCB1(MDR1) genotype, is evident in 56% of epileptic ASs. Pedigree analysis suggests a genetic basis. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Frequent severe clinical courses, poor seizure control unrelated to the ABCB1(MDR1) genotype, and a young age at death compromise animal welfare and warrant further genetic studies to unravel the underlaying molecular mechanisms of IE and seizure control in the breed.
BACKGROUND:Idiopathic epilepsy (IE) in Australian Shepherds (ASs) occurs worldwide but there is a lack of description of the epilepsy syndrome in this breed. The ABCB1-1Δ mutation is more prevalent in ASs than in many other dog breeds. HYPOTHESIS: Australian Shepherds suffer from a poorly controlled IE syndrome with prevailing severe courses. Seizure control and ABCB1-1Δ mutation might be related in this breed. ANIMALS: Fifty ASs diagnosed with IE and 50 unaffected ASs. METHODS: Predominant study design is a longitudinal cohort study. Pedigrees, medical records, seizure, and treatment data of ASs with IE were analyzed descriptively. Sex, color, and the ABCB1-1Δ genotype were compared between case and control groups and ASs with poorly or well-controlled seizures. Differences in survival times were assessed by logrank tests and Cox regression analysis. RESULTS:Idiopathic epilepsy in ASs is dominated by moderate and severe clinical courses with the occurrence of cluster seizures and status epilepticus and a high seizure frequency. Poor seizure control and a high initial seizure frequency (≥10 seizure days/first 6 months) are associated with shorter survival times (P < .05). Poor seizure control, unrelated to the ABCB1(MDR1) genotype, is evident in 56% of epileptic ASs. Pedigree analysis suggests a genetic basis. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Frequent severe clinical courses, poor seizure control unrelated to the ABCB1(MDR1) genotype, and a young age at death compromise animal welfare and warrant further genetic studies to unravel the underlaying molecular mechanisms of IE and seizure control in the breed.
Authors: Koen M Santifort; Elise Bertijn; Sofie F M Bhatti; Peter Leegwater; Andrea Fischer; Paul J J Mandigers Journal: Front Vet Sci Date: 2022-05-12
Authors: Velia-Isabel Hülsmeyer; Andrea Fischer; Paul J J Mandigers; Luisa DeRisio; Mette Berendt; Clare Rusbridge; Sofie F M Bhatti; Akos Pakozdy; Edward E Patterson; Simon Platt; Rowena M A Packer; Holger A Volk Journal: BMC Vet Res Date: 2015-08-28 Impact factor: 2.741
Authors: Sofie F M Bhatti; Luisa De Risio; Karen Muñana; Jacques Penderis; Veronika M Stein; Andrea Tipold; Mette Berendt; Robyn G Farquhar; Andrea Fischer; Sam Long; Wolfgang Löscher; Paul J J Mandigers; Kaspar Matiasek; Akos Pakozdy; Edward E Patterson; Simon Platt; Michael Podell; Heidrun Potschka; Clare Rusbridge; Holger A Volk Journal: BMC Vet Res Date: 2015-08-28 Impact factor: 2.741
Authors: Heidrun Potschka; Andrea Fischer; Wolfgang Löscher; Ned Patterson; Sofie Bhatti; Mette Berendt; Luisa De Risio; Robyn Farquhar; Sam Long; Paul Mandigers; Kaspar Matiasek; Karen Muñana; Akos Pakozdy; Jacques Penderis; Simon Platt; Michael Podell; Clare Rusbridge; Veronika Stein; Andrea Tipold; Holger A Volk Journal: BMC Vet Res Date: 2015-08-28 Impact factor: 2.741
Authors: Mette Berendt; Robyn G Farquhar; Paul J J Mandigers; Akos Pakozdy; Sofie F M Bhatti; Luisa De Risio; Andrea Fischer; Sam Long; Kaspar Matiasek; Karen Muñana; Edward E Patterson; Jacques Penderis; Simon Platt; Michael Podell; Heidrun Potschka; Martí Batlle Pumarola; Clare Rusbridge; Veronika M Stein; Andrea Tipold; Holger A Volk Journal: BMC Vet Res Date: 2015-08-28 Impact factor: 2.741