title: Generalized canine discoid lupus erythematosus responsive to tetracycline and niacinamide therapy.
abstract: Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is a commonly reported canine autoimmune disease that normally presents with a phenotype consisting of erythema, depigmentation, scaling, erosions/ulcers, and scarring over the nasal planum and the proximal dorsal muzzle. Recently, two cases of a generalized variant of this disease have been reported, whose lesions responded to either systemic glucocorticoids or a combination of topical corticosteroids, topical tacrolimus, and the oral antimalarial hydroxychloroquine. The purpose of this report is to describe an 11 yr old shih tzu that presented with skin lesions consisting of multiple annular, erythematous papules and plaques, hyperpigmentation, adherent scaling, and atrophic scars over the caudal dorsum, flanks, craniodorsal thorax, and lateroproximal extremities. A diagnosis of generalized DLE was made based on the clinical presentation, histopathology, laboratory values, and direct immunofluorescence findings. Treatment consisted of oral tetracycline and oral niacinamide, which resulted in complete remission of clinical signs. This is the first documented report of generalized canine DLE responding to the described immunomodulating regimen. Such a combination might therefore be considered as a glucocorticoid and/or antimalarial alternative for the management of generalized DLE.
authors.affiliation: From the Veterinary Skin and Allergy Specialists, Veterinary Referral Center of Colorado, Englewood, CO (M.R., L.M.); and Department of Population Health and Pathobiology (K.L.) and Department of Clinical Sciences (T.O.), North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: Linda M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Messenger
authors.forename: Keith E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Linder
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Olivry
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D056747:Immunomodulation / Q000187:drug effects; D008179:Lupus Erythematosus, Discoid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D009536:Niacinamide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011500:Protein Synthesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013752:Tetracycline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D011500:Protein Synthesis Inhibitors; D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D009536:Niacinamide; D013752:Tetracycline