Susceptibility to Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE)

Quick Summary

Necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME), also known as Pug dog encephalitis, is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that is usually progressive and fatal. Several genetic markers are associated with risk of developing NME.

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Phenotype: NME is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that is usually progressive and fatal. Symptoms of NME include seizures, depression, ataxia, abnormal gait, and blindness. Female, fawn-colored Pugs younger than 7 years of age are more apt to develop NME than older, male, and non-fawn colored individuals.

Haplotype: N = Normal, S = NME-associated susceptibility variants

Breeds appropriate for testing: Pug

Explanation of Results:

  • Dogs with N/N haplotype have no copies of the NME-associated risk variants and are at low risk of developing necrotizing meningoencephalitis. They cannot transmit these NME risk variants to their offspring.
  • Dogs with N/S haplotype have one copy of the NME-associated risk variants and are at low risk of developing necrotizing meningoencephalitis. They may transmit these NME risk variants to 50% of their offspring.
  • Dogs with S/S haplotype have two copies of the NME-associated risk variants and are 12.75 times more likely to develop necrotizing meningoencephalitis in their lifetimes. They will transmit these NME risk variants to all of their offspring.

Results of this test can be submitted to the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals)

Turnaround Time
At least 15 business days; may be delayed beyond 15 business days if sample requires additional testing, or a new sample is requested.
Price

$55 single test per animal ($5 discount on 3 or more dogs)
$25 as additional health test on same animal
$80 Susceptibility to Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE) + Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKDef) (same animal)
 

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Sample Collection

Dog DNA tests are carried out using cells brushed from your dog's cheeks and gums. The preferred cytology brushes are sent to you by mail, or you may provide your own brushes. For accepted alternative brushes, click here

We recommend waiting until puppies are at least three weeks old before testing.

 

Dog having its cheeks and gums brushed for DNA samples
Cheek and gum brushing technique for canine DNA sample collection

Step-By-Step:

  1. Make sure the dog has not had anything to eat or drink for at least 1 hour prior to collecting sample.
  2. When swabbing puppies, isolate each puppy from the mother, littermates and any shared toys for 1 hour prior to swabbing. Puppies should not have nursed or eaten for 1 hour prior to collecting sample.
  3. If collecting samples from more than one dog, make sure to sample one dog at a time and wash your hands before swabbing another dog.
  4. Label brush sleeve with name or ID of dog to be sampled.
  5. Open brush sleeve by arrow and remove one brush by its handle.
  6. Place bristle head between the dog’s gums and cheek and press lightly on the outside of the cheek while rubbing or rotating the brush back and forth for 15 seconds.
  7. Wave the brush in the air for 20 seconds to air dry.
  8. Insert brush back into sleeve.
  9. Repeat steps 5 - 8 for each unused brush in sleeve on a fresh area of cheek and gums. Make sure to use and return all brushes sent by the VGL. In most cases, it will be 3 brushes per dog. If using interdental gum brushes, please note that the VGL requires 4 brushes per dog and only moderate or wide interdental gum brushes are accepted.
  10. Do not seal brushes in sleeve.
  11. Place all samples in an envelope and return to the address provided.

ATTENTION:

  • Do not collect saliva/drool – the key to obtaining a good sample is getting cheek cells on the swab
  • Do not rub swab on the dog’s tongue or teeth – this will result in poor quality sample
  • Do not collect a sample from a puppy that has recently nursed – the mother’s genetic material can rub off on the puppy’s mouth and contaminate the sample
Additional Details

Approximately 1.2% of Pug dogs die of necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME), also known as Pug dog encephalitis (PDE). NME is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that is usually progressive and fatal. Symptoms of NME include seizures, depression, ataxia, abnormal gait, and blindness. Female, fawn-colored Pugs younger than 7 years of age are more apt to develop NME than older, male, and non-fawn colored individuals.

Recent research has revealed that susceptibility to NME is associated with the dog leukocyte antigen (DLA) region of dog chromosome 12. The association is at or near the region containing the DLA class II genes. Dogs that are homozygous for the NME-susceptibility haplotype, ie, those with two identical copies of the NME-associated markers (denoted S/S) have an observed risk of 12.75 for NME in their lifetime over Pugs that have only one (N/S) or no (N/N) copies of these markers (observed risk of 0-1.08).

 

Note: This is NOT a diagnostic test for NME in Pugs or for NME disease/risk in other breeds. The test is only to determine risk for developing NME in Pugs and for helping select matings that will produce puppies that are at decreased risk (N/N, N/S). Although a significant proportion (11%) of Pug Dogs are homozygous S/S, only about 1 in 8 of this group will develop NME during their lifetime.
Note: Breeders are advised against breeding out the S haplotype, because 40% of Pug Dogs have the associated risk haplotype, with 29% being heterozygous (N/S) and 11% being homozygous (S/S). Eliminating the S haplotype will lead to a considerable loss of genetic diversity. Therefore, breeders should carefully select matings that do not produce S/S puppies.
Type of Sample
Cytology Brush - supplied by VGL at no additional charge (PREFERRED)
Mini mascara brushes - supplied by owner (click for accepted type)
Interdental/GUM brushes - supplied by owner (click for accepted types)

Species

Dog

Breed

Pug
Type of Test
Health
Results Reported As
Test Result Susceptibility to Pug Dog Encephalitis
N/N No copies of the NME associated markers (homozygous for normal). These dogs have a low risk of developing NME.
N/S 1 copy of the NME associated markers (heterozygous for susceptibility). These dogs have a low risk of developing NME.
S/S 2 copies of the NME susceptibility associated markers. These dogs are 12.75 times more likely to develop NME in their lifetime.

The NME report includes DNA types for a panel of 8 markers selected from the International Society of Animal Genetics (ISAG) canine parentage panel. These markers provide individual identification for each sample tested.

References

Levine, J.M., Fosgate, G.T., Porter, B., Schatzberg, S.J., & Greer, K. (2008). Epidemiology of necrotizing meningoencephalitis in Pug dogs. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 22(4), 961-968. doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2008.0137.x

Talarico, L.R., & Schatzberg, S.J. (2010). Idiopathic granulomatous and necrotising inflammatory disorders of the canine central nervous system: a review and future perspectives. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 51(3), 138-149. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.2009.00823.x

Greer, K.A., Wong, A.K., Liu, H., Famula, T.R., Pedersen, N.C., Ruhe, A., Wallace, M., & Neff, M.W. (2010). Necrotizing meningoencephalitis of Pug dogs associates with dog leukocyte antigen class II and resembles acute variant forms of multiple sclerosis. Tissue Antigens, 76(2), 110-118. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-0039.2010.01484.x

Pedersen, N., Liu, H., Millon, L., & Greer, K. (2011). Dog leukocyte antigen class II-associated genetic risk testing for immune disorders of dogs: simplified approaches using Pug dog necrotizing meningoencephalitis as a model. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, 23(1), 68-76. doi: 10.1177/104063871102300110

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