01746-A: Discovery of the Genetic Cause of Lethal Acrodermatitis
Grant Status: Closed
Abstract
Lethal acrodermatitis (LAD) is a rare but significant disease of bull terrier dogs in the United States, Canada, and Europe. Affected dogs present with a highly arched palate and inflamed footpads that cause constant pain and predispose dogs to secondary illness. Earlier studies suggested that this disease is caused by a defect in zinc transport/metabolism but subsequent studies failed to replicate those results. Dr. Casal's laboratory, in collaboration with Dr. Catherine André's laboratory, have sequenced almost all of the genes currently known to participate in zinc metabolism but have not yet found a mutation. Drs. Casal and André will conduct a genome wide association study to identify the gene(s) involved with this disease. Their goal is to develop a DNA test to assist breeders in identifying carriers of LAD to plan future breeding and also allow identification of a novel gene for a rare form of human acrodermatitis.
Publication(s)
Help Future Generations of Dogs
Participate in canine health research by providing samples or by enrolling in a clinical trial. Samples are needed from healthy dogs and dogs affected by specific diseases.
