title: Mucocutaneous lupus erythematosus in dogs (21 cases).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The diagnosis of dogs with chronic juxtamucosal erosive lesions and histopathology typical of cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is unclear.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We report herein 21 dogs with mucocutaneous erosive lesions and lupus-specific histopathology that we propose to be affected with mucocutaneous lupus erythematosus (MCLE), another variant of chronic CLE.
  
  
  METHODS
  Inclusion criteria were the presence of the following: (i) a >2 month history of chronic or recurrent skin lesions; (ii) erosions or ulcers predominating at mucosae or mucocutaneous junctions; (iii) microscopic lesions of CLE (i.e. a lymphocyte-rich interface dermatitis with basal keratinocyte damage); and (iv) a lack of complete remission following antimicrobials. Clinical questionnaires and skin biopsies were reviewed. Direct immunofluorescence and antinuclear antibody serology were performed whenever possible.
  
  
  RESULTS
  More than half of the 21 dogs were German shepherds or their crosses. The disease affected mostly dogs in their mid-adulthood and there was an over-representation of females. Erosions and ulcers predominated at genital/perigenital and anal/perianal areas, with a lower frequency of involvement of periocular, perioral and perinasal regions. In these dogs, there were no clinical signs suggestive of an associated systemic lupus erythematosus. Microscopic lesions were specific for CLE, but they were patchy and often infected with bacteria. The most common immunological finding was focal IgG deposition at the basement membrane zone. Lesions responded to varying interventions, but oral glucocorticoids led to a shorter time to complete remission. Relapses were common upon treatment tapering.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These observations support MCLE being another variant of canine CLE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA.|Center for Comparative Medicine and Translational Research, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA.
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Olivry
authors.affiliation: VRCC Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Hospital, 3550 South Jason Street, Englewood, CO 80110, USA.
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA.|Center for Comparative Medicine and Translational Research, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA.
authors.forename: Frane
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Banovic
authors.affiliation: Center for Comparative Medicine and Translational Research, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA.|Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA.
authors.forename: Keith E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Linder
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008178:Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids