Mycophenolate mofetil treatment in dogs with serologically diagnosed acquired myasthenia gravis: 27 cases (1999-2008)

J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2010 Mar 15;236(6):664-8. doi: 10.2460/javma.236.6.664.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE-To compare clinical outcome in dogs with serologically diagnosed acquired myasthenia gravis (MG) treated with pyridostigmine bromide (PYR) with that of dogs treated with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and PYR (MMF + PYR). DESIGN-Retrospective case series. ANIMALS-27 dogs. PROCEDURES-Medical records from August 1999 through February 2008 were reviewed to identify dogs with serologically diagnosed acquired MG treated with PYR or MMF + PYR. Data collected for each dog included signalment, whether the dog had megaesophagus or pneumonia (or both), thyroid hormone concentration, remission, time to remission, and survival time. Rates for detection of clinical signs and survival time were compared. Survival time was estimated via the Kaplan-Meier method. Influence of drug treatment protocol on likelihood of remission, time to remission, and survival time was examined. Effects of MMF treatment, megaesophagus, pneumonia, and low serum thyroid hormone concentration on time to remission and survival time were also analyzed. RESULTS-12 dogs were treated with PYR, and 15 were treated with MMF + PYR. Mortality rates were 33% (PYR) and 40% (MMF + PYR). There was pharmacological remission in 5 and 6 dogs in the PYR and MMF + PYR groups, respectively. No significant differences were detected between treatment groups for remission rate, time to remission, or survival time. Megaesophagus, pneumonia, and low serum thyroid hormone concentration had no significant effect on time to remission or survival time for either treatment group. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE-The results did not support routine use of MMF for the treatment of dogs with acquired MG.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dog Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Dog Diseases / mortality
  • Dogs
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / administration & dosage
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Myasthenia Gravis / drug therapy
  • Myasthenia Gravis / mortality
  • Myasthenia Gravis / veterinary*
  • Mycophenolic Acid / administration & dosage
  • Mycophenolic Acid / adverse effects
  • Mycophenolic Acid / analogs & derivatives*
  • Mycophenolic Acid / therapeutic use
  • Pyridostigmine Bromide / administration & dosage
  • Pyridostigmine Bromide / adverse effects
  • Pyridostigmine Bromide / therapeutic use
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Mycophenolic Acid
  • Pyridostigmine Bromide