OBJECTIVES

Lymphocytic-Plasmacytic Enteritis (LPE), is one of the most common causes of inflammatory bowel disease in dogs. This disease could be generated by several immunological agents, in particular some dietetic allergens that can cause immune mediated disorders in small bowel. Digestive endoscopy (gastroduodenoscopy) and mucosal biopsies are required to diagnose this group of disorders.

The principal aim of the present clinical study was to evaluate the macroscopic lesions observed by means of endoscopy (gastroduodenoscopy) in dogs with LPE.

MATERIALS

100 dogs, diagnosed of LPE, were handled in this study (from different races, both sexes and ages from 2 to 9 years) by means of gastroduodenoscopy and biopsy. Depending on the size of the animals, the endoscopes fiberoptic endoscope FG-100FP-Fuginon (100cm long / 9mm diameter) or video endoscope EG-200FP-Fuginon (110cm long / 9.8 mm diameter) were used. In all the dogs oesophagus, gastrooesophage sphincter, stomach, gastroduodenal sphincter and first portions of duodenum were explored. The macroscopic alterations detected in the different sections of the upper digestive tract throughout endoscopy were evaluated.

RESULTS

41% of the surveyed dogs presented lesions at distal areas of the thoracic oesophagus. 84% of the animals exhibited stomach lesions of which the pyloric antrum was the most affected area. 87% of the examined dogs showed macroscopic lesions in duodenum, being the more frequent: decrease in the diameter of the intestinal lumen (100%), presence of congestion (88%) and irregularity and friability of the mucosal surface. Only 40% of the cases revealed duodenum continuity solutions.

CONCLUSION

The macroscopic alterations observed at distal areas of oesophagus and stomach could be compatible with inflammatory lesions due to duodenogastric and gastroesophagic reflux, as a result of tone and motility alterations that appear in LPE. The macroscopic changes in duodenum correspond to chronic inflammatory lesions that develop in LPE. A partial number of the surveyed dogs did not present macroscopic alterations but did confirm microscopic lesions.

References

1.  Guilford,W.G. (1996): "Idiopathic inflammatory bowel diseases." In Strombeck,D.R. (ed.): Strombeck's small animal gastroenterology. Ed. W.B. Saunders Company (3ª Ed.). Philadelphia: 451-486.

2.  Hall, E.J. ; Simpson, K.W. (2000): "Diseases of the small intestine." In Ettinger, S.J. & Feldman, E.C. (eds.): Textbook of veterinary internal medicine. Diseases of the dog and cat. Ed. W.B. Saunders company. fifth edition, Philadelphia: 1182-1237.

3.  Jergens,A.E.; F.M. Moore; J.S. Haynes; Miles, K.G. (1992): "Idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease in dogs and cats: 84 cases (1987-1990)." J.A.V.M.A. 201, (10): 1603-1608.

4.  Rodríguez-Franco,F.; Sainz, A. (2000): "Canine malabsorption syndrome: a retrospective study of pharmacological and dietary treatment" in Recent Advances in Canine and Feline Nutrition. Volumen III. Ed. Orange Frazer Press. Wilmington, Ohio: 321-332.