DM Flash Test

To Assist in the Diagnosis of German Shepherd Degenerative Myelopathy

Conscious proprioceptive deficits are one of the early clinical signs of GSDM and other spinal cord diseases.

What is the test?

Phone: 352-392-2235 Ex. 4700

Fax: 352-294-9866

E-mail: rmc@neuro.vetmed.ufl.edu

The DM Flash tests looks for a priming difference in a region of the canine genome associated with a single change in allele*1101 (allele*1101J) of the DRB1 area of the DLA gene which is responsible for the MHCII function. Those patients who are positive on the DM Flash test have allele*1101J and those who are negative do not. Allele*1101J is in an area of the dog DNA which is similar to the human DNA region that encodes T cell (lymphocyte) recognition of antigens. We speculate that this primes for the disease GSDM by making the dog more likely to develop an auto-immune disease. Coupled with another change in the genome of GSDM patients in a region that encodes folding of myelin basic protein (MBP), this immune reaction targets the dog's own nervous system.

The presence of allele*1101J may predispose to the development of auto-immune disease whereby the dog’s own immune system begins to attack it own nervous system. Evidence based upon humeral and cellular immunologic assessments of dogs with GSDM confirm this as the underlying disease process. Dogs with GSDM do have elevated MBP in there cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) suggesting that there may be a relationship between MBP and GSDM.

Rhodesian Ridgebacks and Corgis have a chronic progressive spinal cord disease that clinically is similar to GSDM, but they do not have allele*1101J. In fact, Corgis may not even have allele*1101 as part of their genetic possibilities. So, in those breeds, a negative DM Flash test would be the expected result regardless of their medical condition. On the other hand, we have found changes that appear to be consistent is the presence of DM in GSDs, Boxers, Rhodesian Ridgebacks and Corgis using Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Some of the changes in the Rhodesian Ridgebacks related to changes in the GSDs; other changes in Boxers related to changes in GSDs; while the Corgis does not appear to have changes which relate to any of the other breeds.

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