Chapter 6 - Autoimmune Endocrine Diseases

Abstract

The major endocrine organs are often targets of autoimmune attack. For example, one of the most common autoimmune diseases in dogs is a lymphocytic thyroiditis. This results from the production of autoantibodies against thyroglobulin and the resulting destruction of thyroid follicular cells. Conversely, autoimmune hyperthyroidism due to autoimmunity is common in humans but uncommon in the domestic animals. A destructive lymphocytic parathyroiditis has been reported in dogs. Canine insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is rarely immune mediated. Only a small fraction of canine diabetic cases appear to result from autoimmune attack on the beta cells of the pancreatic islets. Similar cases occur in cats, cattle, and horses, but they are rarely autoimmune in nature. Autoimmune adrenalitis resulting in adrenal medullary destruction has been recorded in dogs as are sporadic cases of autoimmune hypophysitis. While polyendocrine autoimmune diseases in humans are common, they are rare in dogs, where the most common such syndrome is a concurrent thyroid and adrenal disease.