Endocrine Abstracts

It often surprises medical clinicians to learn that pet dogs can suffer from diabetes mellitus which is diagnosed and treated by veterinary surgeons in much the same way as in human patients. Unfortunately, research into the pathogenesis of canine diabetes has failed to keep pace with its human counterpart, particularly when it comes to understanding the genetic and immunological basis of the disease.Diabetes is one of the most common endocrine disorders...

Background: Addison’s disease (AD) in both humans and dogs is characterised by corticosteroid deficiency requiring lifelong hormone therapy. In humans autoimmune pathogenesis is established; at diagnosis ~90% of patients are 21-hydroxylase (21-OH) autoantibody positive, with antibodies to other adrenal antigens also detected. The pathogenesis of canine AD is less well characterised; autoimmune mechanisms are suspected, with anti-adrenal autoantibodies demonstrated by indi...