Systemic lupus erythematosus in dogs: association to the major histocompatibility complex class I antigen DLA-A7.

The DLA-A,B antigens and the allotypes of the fourth complement component have been determined in German shepherd dogs suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus. We have typed 26 unrelated affected dogs, 11 animals of a three generation family, and 16 dogs of a colony with a high frequency of the disease. The results obtained from the 26 unrelated diseased dogs were compared to those determined in the 23 unaffected German shepherds.

Spontaneous familial systemic lupus erythematosus in a canine breeding colony.

A colony of German shepherd dogs was studied in which a high proportion of antinuclear antibody (ANAb) carriers and dogs with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-like signs were found. The titre of serum thymulin and the percentage of circulating T lymphocytes were both low. The incidence of disease decreased down the generations through the introduction of outside sires, thus suggesting a genetic origin for the disease.

[Informing the patient about alternative surgical methods of delivery].

The article discusses a judgment passed by the Düsseldorf Supreme Court on 30 January 1986. An obstetrician had resorted to vacuum extraction during multiple birth (twins) because one twin was in imminent danger of hypoxia. It was found only later that during this procedure he had caused a fracture of the parietal bone with subsequent subdural hematoma.