The following information comes from brief synopsis reports to the PDCA from each individual study.

This is NOT A FINAL REPORT. Updated June 2010. This is the University of Minnesota's study funded by Morris Animal Foundation Grant No: D08CA-002 on skin irritation caused by allergies. Atopic dermatitis, skin inflammation caused by environmental allergens, affects many dogs, most of which develop secondary skin infections that aggravate suffering and require antibiotic treatment. The skin’s immune system contains small antimicrobial peptides (proteins) that defend the skin against infections. Scientists know that humans with atopic dermatitis and secondary bacterial infections are deficient in certain antimicrobial peptides, so they are investigating whether allergic dogs also lack these peptides. To date, progress has centered on collecting sample materials, extracting RNA from these samples and standardizing assay tests to measure and compare defensin gene expression. Defensins are small blood and tissue peptides that help prevent and clear infections. Researchers have collected numerous skin biopsy samples from client-owned atopic dogs, healthy dogs and areas of healthy skin from atopic dogs. They have extracted RNA from 267 skin biopsies from a variety of breeds. They have also measured gene expression from various skin regions of normal dogs; of interest was the finding of significant variation in expression depending on the body location of these skin samples. Researchers have established accurate and reproducible assays to measure seven antimicrobial peptide genes in the samples. They are now in the process of completing their gene expression studies and will then begin data analysis of all skin samples across all collection sites. They hope this information will help predict which atopic dogs are at increased risk for secondary bacterial infections, thus allowing owners and veterinarians to preemptively treat susceptible dogs. This is NOT A FINAL REPORT. Updated Sept 2009. This study is looking at the effects of early stenotic nares (pinched nostril) repair on development of the brachycephalic syndrome as the dogs mature. This is Michigan State University's AKCCHF Grant No: 1056-A which appears to indicate that early surgery does help. Dr. Joe Hauptman at Michigan State University reports: "Brachycephalic syndrome is characterized by stenotic nares, elongation of the soft palate, and subsequent eversion of the laryngeal saccules. It may become life threatening. Staphylectomy is an excellent and strongly recommended technique for management of the brachcephalic syndrome, and should be performed in all dogs with brachycephalic syndrome. Stenotic nares is a common diesease of brachycephalic dogs. It is not clear if the obstruction caused by stenotic nares plays a relatively significant role in the pathophysiology of the brachycephalic syndrome. No study has been performed that either addresses or answers th question: Will resolution of Stenotic Nares in brachycephalic puppies prevent or alleviate development of the brachycephalic syndrome in the adult? We enrolled 63 brachycephalic dogs: 13 were Shih Tzus, effectively treated by the excision technique, and previously reported (Society of Veterinary Soft Tissue Surgery 2007, Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association 44:82-85, 2008); they were excluded. All were under 6 months of age and were diagnosed on physical exam; no complicating problems of any sort were detected on history or physical exam in any puppy. A brachycephalic score was recorded before surgery and after surgery, as possible, at 1, 1.5, 2. 2.5 and 3 years of age. The occurrence of the brachycephalic syndrome was recorded. We included the Pug, Boston Terrier, Bulldog and Pekinese in our study. We are accumulating follow up and, at this time, do not hae sufficient follow up to determine if repair of stenotic nares in the puppy alleviates the brachycephalic syndrome in the adult. The data to date, however, strongly suggests that correction of stenotic nares in the brachycephalic puppy does decrease the incidence of the brachycephalic sydrome later in life. The excision technique is an excellent technique for the repair of stenotic nares; it should be performed frequently." The following information comes from a brief synopsis report to the PDCA from the study. This is NOT A FINAL REPORT. Updated Sept 2009. This study is looking at identifying genes which may cause male infertility. This is Texas A & M University's AKCCHF Grant No: 779. Dr. William J. Murphy, PhD reports: "The causes of male infertility in dogs are not well known. Though much is now known about genes on the dog autosomes and X chromosome, owing to the canine genome sequence, virtually nothing is known about the canine Y chromosome and the genes it harbors. Studies of the human and mouse Y chromosomes have shown that they contain many testis-specific genes that when defective cause infertility and spermatogenesis defects. This study aims to characterize the gene content of the dog Y chromosome by sequencing from a cDNA selection library that is enriched for Y chromosome gene transcripts, and mapping these in the canine genome. We have identified gene sequences from fifteen canine Y chromosome genes, characterized seven new canine-specific Y genes, and 15 novel candidate genes. Determining the copy number and function of these novel genes are of primary importance, as they are primary infertility candidate genes. Gene expression experiments have identified that eight of the novel dog genes are expressed only (or predominantly) in testes, implying a role in spermatogenesis. We are currently completing the assembly of a physical map in collaboration with the Washington University Genome Center, as a prerequisite to eventually obtain the sequence of the dog Y chromosome. A DNA sequence will allow the most detailed information for designing genetic tests to determine whether deletions in these genes lead to abnormal spermatogenesis in infertile dogs." The following information comes from a brief synopsis report to the PDCA from the study. This is NOT A FINAL REPORT. Updated Sept 2009. This study is attempting to understand how Canine Influenza Virus is transmitted in dogs, and what methods might be used to reduce the spread. This study is being conducted at the University of Florida, and is the AKCCHF Grant No: 1105. Dr. Cynda Crawford of the University of Florida reports: "Canine influenza is a newly emerging and highly contagious respiratory infection of dogs caused by a novel influenza A virus of the subtype H3N8. The canine influenza virus (CIV) has caused respiratory disease outbreaks in thousands of dogs housed at greyhound race tracks, boarding/training kennels, and shelter facilities across the U.S. Although most dogs recover, many develop a debilitating pneumonia that can be fatal. There is no information on whether dogs housed in different types of premises are more or less at risk for canine influenza. Objective: For this study, the researchers are analyzing data from previous canine influenza outbreaks to determine if dog populations in different types of premises have different risk for canine influenza. Using the results from this analysis, they will develop a computer model to investigate parameters important to CIV transmission in dog populations at race tracks, boarding/training kennels, shelter facilities, and dog shows. The model will then be used to determine what intervention strategies (vaccination, quarantine, sanitation) are most effective in reducing or preventing virus transmission. The results of this study will provide valuable information to dog show organizers, and others responsible for the health of dogs in other settings, to guide development of policies for control and prevention of canine influenza." The following information comes from a brief synopsis report to the PDCA from the study. This is NOT A FINAL REPORT. Updated Sept 2009. This study proposes that NME and GME result from both genetic and environmental factors. This study is being conducted at the University of Georgia, and is the AKCCHF Grant No: 1099. Dr. Scott Schatzberg of the University of Georgia reports: "Our work at UGA-CVM is focused on studying the molecular basis and potential factors that contribute to the pathogenesis of necrotizing (NME) and granulomatous meningoencephalitis (GME) in pug and maltese dogs. Our hypothesis is that these problems of brain inflammation result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. In this investigation funded by AKC-CHF we are evaluating neural tissues (brains and spinal fluid) for nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) for pathogens (environmental factors) that might be associated with brain inflammation in those breeds. To date, we have screened 30 brains and 20 CSF samples from confirmed cases of GME and NME. In these cases, we have shown a lack of viral nucleic acids. This is an important step, because for many years it has been thought that viruses play a role in these disorders (especially herpesviruses). We have also demonstrated a lack of DNA from pathogens that are transmitted by ticks (including rocky mountain spotted fever, lyme disease, and others). Manuscripts describing this work are in preparation and should be submitted for publication within the next two weeks. Recently we have identified the presence of DNA from specific bacteria (Mycoplasma spp.) that are also associated with certain forms of autoimmune encephalitis in people. We also have successfully cultured these bacteria from several brains of confirmed cases of GME and NME. Currently, we are developing special assays (immunohistochemistry tests) to stain the brain tissues hoping to highlight the presence of these bacteria within the encephalitis lesions. The bacteria that we have identified are somewhat "ubiquitous" in dogs, and this will be critical step to determine whether or not these bacteria truly are associated with the diseases, or potentially just contaminants picked up from the post mortem lab. Until these studies are completed, there is no way to know the significance of these potentially important PCR and culture findings. The results of these investigations should be available within the next several months."