Research Organization: Universite de Rennes
Contact Person: Dr. Catherine ANDRE or Benoit HEDAN
Contact Phone: 02 23 23 45 09 (France)
Email Address: mailto:catherine.andre@univ-rennes1.fr or mailto:mailto:benoit.hedan@univ-rennes1.fr
Project Web Site: http://www-recomgen.univ-rennes1.fr/doggy.html
Malignant histiocytosis is a hereditary disease found in the Bernese Mountain Dog 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. In addition to its importance in veterinary medicine, the condition is also important in human pathology.
More information about this disease is available at http://http://www.bmdca.org/health/Cancer/Histiocytic_Diseases_of_the_Bernese_Mountain_Dog.php and http://www.histiocytosis.ucdavis.edu/.
Catherine André and Benoit Hedan at the University 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.
They wish to find the genes responsible for Malignant Histiocytosis in dogs as quickly as possible. Their three laboratories have been funded by the AKC-Canine Health Foundation to collaborate on this project and more samples are needed.
If your BMD is over 10 years of age and has never been diagnosed with MH : a blood sample is useful to us as a control (it is essential that you contact us if your dog is later diagnosed with MH).
If your BMD presents MH signs: a blood sample from your dog and relatives is needed.
The following items are required:
If MH is suspected, it is necessary to have pathology done to establish whether it is definitely affected and to provide the pathology reports. All information will be kept confidential.
Please send blood samples at room temperature by rapid delivery mail.If your BMD is affected by MH, please contact us for tissue samples.
From Europe, send to: Dr. Catherine ANDRE and Benoit HEDAN UMR6061, CNRS/ Université de Rennes 1 Faculté de Médecine2, Av. Léon Bernard35043 Rennes Cedex, France
Data Sheet Name: French.html Last Updated: Sep 6 2007 Proofed: AJH, PL