Current Research Studies - Health - Bernese Mountain Dogs
Histiocytosis
Overview - Malignant Histiocytosis
Malignant histiocytosis is a hereditary disease found in the Bernese Mountain Dog. The disease is characterized by histiocytic infiltration of the lungs and lymph nodes. The liver, spleen, and central nervous system can also be affected. Histiocytes are a component of the immune system that proliferate abnormally in this disease.
More information about this disease is available at:
About The Malignant Histiocytosis Research Studies
The three laboratories listed below have been funded by the AKC-Canine Health Foundation. The doctors at these facillities collaborate on research pertaining to malignant hystiocytosis. All of the researchers listed below will share samples as long as you provide permission for them to do so on the sample submission forms provided by each organization.
Histiocytosis Research Studies List
STUDY #1 - North Carolina State Research Project
Dr. Matthew Breen is currently conducting a study of the "Genetics of Canine Cancer" at the North Carolina State University - Raleigh, NC.
· Any Bernese Mountain Dog with a veterinary diagnosis of malignant histiocytosis from known pedigrees can participate.
· Note: as of August 1, 2009, no more histiocytic samples will be
recruited. Please consider sending the samples to the DNA repository instead,
see: http://www.bernergarde.org/home/repository.aspx
for more information.
NOTE: Dr. Breen is also researching soft tissue sarcoma, lymphoma and other forms of cancer. Samples for these studies will continue to be recruited. (See Dr. Breen's website for more information.)
STUDY #2 - National Human Genome Research Institute Project (Healthy Berners needed too)
Dr. Elaine Ostrander and Dr. Heidi Parker at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are studying the heritable factors involved in susceptibility to malignant histiocytosis (MH), and are using blood drawn from Bernese Mountain Dogs who are diagnosed with MH.
· They need samples from affected dogs and also need "control" samples from healthy Berners over the age of 9 who have not been diagnosed with cancer.
STUDY #3 - Europe — Université de Rennes Research Project (France) (Healthy Berners needed too)
Dr. Catherine André and Dr. Benoit Hédan at the Université of Rennes in France are researching to better characterize the clinical forms of the disease, and to search for the genetic cases of the disease.
· They are using blood drawn from Bernese Mountain Dogs that are diagnosed with MH, as well as samples from affected and unaffected dogs that are related.