Page 154 - TBE_Book_V2_2019

Chapter 8: TBE in animals

system to eliminate the virus within a few Figure 6
days is probably the reason for a fatal
outcome, as in most of these cases no specific
intrathecal antibody production and no
increased cell count in the CSF were detected
17
prior to death.
CSF analysis in affected dogs with clinical signs
mostly reveals elevated leukocyte count, with
predominantly mononuclear cells and
elevated total protein. CSF changes are
concomitant to virus elimination and rising
antibody titers. Specific antibodies are
detectable in the serum of affected dogs
within a few days. 7,17,18,20 Cross-reactivity to
Louping ill virus, West Nile virus, and Usutu An old Labrador Retriever during rehabilitation.
virus should be taken into consideration in Water training over months improved muscle
10,23 strength and coordination.
endemic areas. Magnetic resonance
imaging findings included bilateral and observed when dogs reach partial or complete
symmetrical gray matter lesions involving the remission of clinical signs. 17,26
thalamus, hippocampus, brain stem, basal
nuclei, and ventral horn on the spinal cord. Possible differential diagnoses include other
viral meningoencephalitis such as distemper,
All lesions had minimal or no mass effect, or rabies, pseudo-rabies, as well as protozoal,
24
perilesional edema. These findings are bacterial, or fungal meningoencephalitis, and
comparable to the distribution of lesions in paraneoplastic and immune mediated
the canine brain detected by necropsy and meningoencephalitis.
25
immunohistochemistry.
Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy, to
evaluate metabolic abnormalities in dogs with Treatment
TBE, revealed significant differences with dogs
with immune mediated meningoencephalitis
26
and healthy dogs. Symptomatic therapy is strongly recom-
mended for dogs with TBE. Water and food
maintenance orally, by constant rate infusion,
A tentative diagnosis of TBE in dogs should or by gastric tubes and supportive care is
fulfill the following criteria: tick exposure or
observed tick infestation, neurological signs essential. Sedation and relaxation is necessary
in the case of seizures. Steroid use is
indicative for a diffuse or multifocal CNS controversial, as immune-suppression may
disease, (mostly mononuclear) pleocytosis in prolong the presence of the virus. In dogs with
the CSF, a positive antibody titer in serum or marked CSF pleocytosis, steroids seem to be
CSF, or in the case of fatal outcome a positive
virus confirmation within the brain or spinal mandatory to effectively protect the brain
tissue from further fulminant immune
cord. In the future, highly sensitive PCR response. In cases of muscle atrophy and
techniques may include virus detection in the paresis, physiotherapy (Figure 6) as early as
diagnostic work-up in early stages of disease.
possible has been shown to improve the
Increasing serum titers may be detected, but
general outcome and shorten the time of
more often rapidly decreasing titers are 19,20
rehabilitation.

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