This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Mauldin, E. A. Articles by Casal, M. L. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Mauldin, E. A. Articles by Casal, M. L.

The Clinical and Morphologic Features of Nonepidermolytic Ichthyosis in the Golden Retriever

Departments of Pathobiology (EAM) and Clinical Studies (MLC), University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA; Eli Lilly and Co., Indianapolis, IN (KMC); and Biogen Idec, Cambridge, MA (RWD)

Abstract

A scaling disorder specific to Golden Retriever dogs has been recognized by both dermatologists and pathologists, but to date has not been well characterized. At the University of Pennsylvania's Laboratory of Toxicology and Pathology, 46 cases of ichthyosis were diagnosed histologically in Golden Retriever dogs from January 2004 to January 2007. A total of 22 dogs had skin lesions documented at younger than 1 year of age; 3 dogs between 1 and 2 years of age; 13 dogs developed lesions at older than 2 years; and the time of onset was unknown for 8 dogs. A total of 25 dogs were female, and 21 were male. All dogs had strikingly similar histopathologic changes that consisted of mild to moderate laminar orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis with an absence of epidermal hyperplasia and dermal inflammation. Ultrastructural analysis using a ruthenium tetroxide fixation method was performed on punch biopsy samples from 5 dogs and compared with 2 control dogs (1 clinically and histologically normal sibling of an affected dog and 1 Cairn Terrier). All affected dogs had retained and convoluted membranes with crystalline structures in the stratum corneum. Scattered keratinocytes in the granular cell layer had prominent, clear, membrane-bound, cytoplasmic vacuoles. Pedigree analysis of 14 dogs was compatible with autosomal recessive inheritance, but incomplete dominance could not be ruled out. This unique hyperkeratotic/scaling disorder in Golden Retrievers has distinctive clinical, histologic, and ultrastructural features, which are consistent with a primary cornification defect.

Key words: Canine; cornification; Golden Retrievers; hyperkeratosis; ichthyosis.

Request reprints from E. A. Mauldin, University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Pathology and Toxicology, 3800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6051 (USA). E-mail: emauldin{at}vet.upenn.edu