Erosive rhinitis resembling granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener’s granulomatosis) in an Anatolian shepherd dog

Abstract

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener’s granulomatosis) is one of the idiopathicimmune-mediated small-vessel vasculitides described in humans which are characterised bythe presence of circulating antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies. It most commonly involvescapillaries, venules and arterioles of the ear, nose and throat, lungs and glomeruli. A caseof destructive haemopurulent rhinitis associated with relapsing periods of pyrexia, lethargyand stiffness as well as generalised pulmonary infiltrates in a young Anatolian shepherddog is presented that closely resembles granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) as reportedin humans. Perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (pANCA) were detectedin the dog’s serum. Signs resolved promptly and completely once immunosuppressivedoses of prednisone were administered, and have not recurred. This is the first report onthe use of pANCA to investigate rhinitis in dogs. It is also, to the authors’ knowledge,the first description of a relapsing haemopurulent lytic rhinitis in this species. Theconcurrent manifestations of erosive haemopurulent rhinitis, ground-glass opacities onpulmonary computed tomography, pyrexia and listlessness resemble GPA as described inhumans.