title: Laminin alpha2 deficiency-associated muscular dystrophy in a Maine coon cat.
abstract: A European case of laminin alpha2 deficiency-associated muscular dystrophy in a 12-month-old, female Maine coon pedigree cat is reported. The history and eventual clinical presentation of this cat differed from those of two cats reported in the USA. In this case, the myopathy was characterised by progressively worsening weakness, muscle atrophy and joint contracture. Tendon reflexes were diminished, and motor nerve conduction velocities were slowed. Muscle biopsy demonstrated a dystrophic phenotype with endomysial fibrosis. Occasional thinly myelinated nerve fibres were present within a peripheral nerve specimen. Poorly myelinated fibres were also found at the root level on necropsy specimens. Immunohistochemical staining revealed the absence of laminin alpha2. The cat's family history did not indicate genetic transmission of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Free University of Brussels, route de Lennik 808, B-1070 Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Poncelet
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Résibois
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Engvall
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Shelton
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D002415:Cats; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D007797:Laminin / Q000172:deficiency*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000473:pathology; D009133:Muscular Atrophy / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D009137:Muscular Dystrophy, Animal / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D010375:Pedigree
chemical_list: D007797:Laminin; C102645:laminin alpha 2