Spontaneous remission in canine myasthenia gravis: implications for assessing human MG therapies.
The natural course of autoimmune canine MG was determined in 53 dogs with muscular weakness and a positive acetylcholine receptor antibody titer. Dogs were treated with anticholinesterase therapy, without immunosuppression. Spontaneous clinical and immunologic remission occurred in 47 of 53 dogs within an average of 6.4 months. Neoplasia was identified in the six dogs that did not spontaneously remit. This study questions the value of using canine MG in studies designed to assess the effect of immunotherapies.
Shelton
G D
GD
Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0612, USA. gshelton@ucsd.edu
Lindstrom
J M
JM
D000818:Animals; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000276:immunology; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D001323:Autoantibodies; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic