Immunology: transient hypogammaglobulinemia of infancy
Introduction
- Self-limiting immunoglobulin deficiency,uncommon in dogs.
- Cause: failure to synthesize own immunoglobulins until much later than normal neonatally.
- Signs: seen at 2-3 months of age as passively acquired antibody levels fall.
- Primarily complaints of bacterial respiratory tract infections and dermatitis.
- Diagnosis: signs, measurement of serum immunoglobulin.
- Treatment: symptomatic treatment of infections.
- Prognosis: normal amounts of immunoglobulins synthesized by 5-6 months of age accompanied by disappearance of clinical signs.
Presenting signs
- Chronic or recurring bacterial infections of respiratory tract and skin.
Age predisposition
- Onset 2-3 months.
- Self-limiting with recovery at 5-6 months of age.
Pathogenesis
Pathophysiology
- In the young puppy, an abnormally prolonged delay in the onset of immunoglobulin synthesis.
Diagnosis
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Treatment
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Prevention
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Outcomes
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
- Guilford W G (1987) Primary immunodeficiency diseases of dogs and cats. Comp Cont Educ 9, 641-650 VetMedResource.
Other sources of information
- Felsberg P J (1992)Primary immunodeficiencies.In:Current Veterinary Therapy XI: Small Animal Practice.Eds: Kirk R W & Bonagura J D. Philadelphia: W B Saunders. pp 448-453.