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Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE) Project
Welcome. You have reached the Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE) project web page at Texas A&M University.
Please contact Dr. Kimberly Greer regarding any questions relating to the project.
Funding Information:
AKC-CHF support update (7/30/03)
We were recently notified of grant award for Transmission Analysis of Breed Specific Necrotizing Encephalitis in the Pug Dog from the American Kennel Club, Canine Health Foundation. The award will allow for continuation of our research into Pug Dog Encephalitis, and should facilitate the more in depth molecular work that is upcoming.
Metro St. Louis Pug Rescue/Spirit of St. Louis Pug Fanciers, Inc. contribution (1/ 31 /0 3 )
Pug fanciers and dedicated rescue volunteers in the greater St. Louis area recently contributed a generous monetary gift towards ongoing PDE research at Texas A&M University. This group has an incredibly quick turn-around; they contacted us regarding the research and we received support in a matter of days. Hopefully the research efforts will offer quick results as well. Thank you for your trust, faith and contribution St. Louis.
Northern California Pug Club contribution (12/18/02)
Notification arrived recently that the Northern California Pug Club has collected a monetary gift for contribution to PDE research ongoing at Texas A&M University. Not only does this club support research through the AKCCHF and PDCA, but they have also found enough generosity within their membership to offer this extraordinary and unexpected research support. It's wonderful to see owners and breeders so incredibly dedicated to the Pugs. Thank you NCPC!!
PDCA support update (8/26/02)
Because of the significant time delay of the AKCCHF research funding, and the inherent need to collect as many participants as possible for the PDE research, a proposal has also been submitted to the PDCA. This proposal requested funding to facilitate immediate data collection, sample collection, and information that could be beneficial to any future PDE research pursued.
We were recently notified that funding has been approved for sample collection! Under this proposal, we will be collecting blood and cheek swab samples from any pugs willing to participate. For each, pedigree information will be requested as well as some additional health and vaccination information. We especially need samples from pugs related to those affected with PDE, although to make our study complete we will also need an equal number of samples from pugs unrelated to any affected with PDE.
The collection phase of research has been very successful, although more samples and participants will offer even more insight into PDE. To date numerous contacts have yielded pedigrees and DNA contributory for this research, including sixteen detailed, multigenerational pedigrees together with vaccination and medical histories for each. Of these, six are confirmed cases of PDE as outlined in histopathology reports. The remainder of the cases presented as expected for PDE but were not followed through with histopathological analyses. Buccal brushes are collected for as many members of each pedigree as are available, and the DNA extracted at TAMU. To date, no dogs have presented for clinical examination at TAMU, but the PI has often worked in collaboration with veterinarians in other locations to obtain samples and medical information. Certainly, focused efforts continue for contacting additional study participants and for locating affected pugs.
AKC-CHF grant update (6/26/02)
The Canine Genetics Research Laboratory recently received notification that we are invited to submit a full proposal to AKCCHF for PDE research. The proposed research will investigate the etiology of PDE by examining the possibility of a genetic component as well as examining the possibility of a viral or autoimmune component. If the full proposal is approved, then the research could begin. We will not receive notification of our proposal status, however, until January 2003.
PDCA support update (6/26/02)
Because of the significant time delay of the AKCCHF research funding, and the inherent need to collect as many participants as possible for the PDE research, a proposal has also been submitted to the PDCA. This proposal requested funding to facilitate immediate data collection, sample collection, and information that could be beneficial to any future PDE research pursued. The proposal is currently being reviewed for consideration by the PDCA board of directors and we are anxiously awaiting their decision.
| For those interested in contributing to this research: |
Please continue to gather information regarding PDE!
*If you have had an affected pug, all pedigree information from that pug will be invaluable. Remember that upon receipt, the pugs' names will be removed from the pedigree and the pedigree will be coded. If necessary for reporting information, all pugs will be referred to by the sealed code number.
*Secondly, all laboratory test results will need to be collected from pugs suspected of having PDE. Clinical examination notes may be helpful as well. Vaccination dates are needed, as is data regarding the number of animals residing in the household with the ill pug and any illnesses of those additional animals.
*Lastly if autopsy reports are available, they will be required.
Click here to use the E-mail Response Form !
Click below to download a PDF Research Participant Form which can be mailed in: Research Participant Form
Any questions regarding this research may be directed to:
Dr. Kimberly Greer
Texas A&M University
College of Veterinary Medicine
VMS Bldg MS 4467
College Station, TX 77843-44 67
(979) 458-0128
Canine Health and Neurological Disease Genetics Research
TAMU College of Veterinary Medicine
Dept. of Vet Pathobiology
4467 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-4467
Lab Phone: (979) 862-2014 Lab Email:kgreerlab@cvm.tamu.edu |
Dr. Greer Phone: (979) 458-0128 Dr. Greer Email: kgreer@cvm.tamu.edu |