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The Disease |
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Immunodeficiencies represent a large heterogenous group of dysfunctions of the
host’s immune system which increase the risk for infections. While dogs are generally
resistant to Mycobacterium avium infections, a variant has been found to be
associated with a genetic predisposition to infection with systemic avian tuberculosis
in Miniature Schnauzers (referred to mycobacterium avium complex or MAC). The
described variant in the CARD9 gene most likely impairs a signaling pathway which
is important for the dog’s immunodeficiency. Common symptoms of affected dogs
are: lethargy, inappetence, weakness, nasal discharge, conjunctivitis, diarrhea,
lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly. The age of onset varies
between one and eight years. Because of the underlying immunodeficiency, the
infections are poorly responsive to treatment and often recur. Since MAC is a
zoonotic disease, humans with a suppressed immune system could be also at risk for
an infection.
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