Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia
Respiratory • CCDC39 • Recessive
Summary
Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) affects the cilia, microscopic hair-like structures lining various body parts, including the respiratory tract. In dogs with PCD, the cilia are either malformed or immobile, leading to respiratory issues. This condition primarily affects breeds like the Old English Sheepdog, but it has been found in as many as 19 breeds.
Symptoms
Dogs with PCD often present with chronic respiratory issues that begin shortly after birth. These include persistent coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, and frequent respiratory infections. These symptoms occur because the cilia in the respiratory tract cannot move effectively, allowing pathogens to remain in the lungs. Male dogs with PCD may also experience sterility due to sperm immobility, which is another function of cilia.
Care
There is no cure for PCD in dogs. Veterinary care primarily aims to manage symptoms and prevent secondary infections. The main objective is to keep the dog's respiratory system as clear and healthy as possible to enhance their overall quality of life.
Citations
Merveille, A.C., Davis, E.E., Becker-Heck, A., Legendre, M., Amirav, I., Bataille, G., Belmont, J., Beydon, N., Billen, F., Clément, A., Clercx, C., Coste, A., Crosbie, R., de Blic, J., Deleuze, S., Duquesnoy, P., Escalier, D., Escudier, E., Fliegauf, M., Horvath, J., Hill, K., Jorissen, M., Just, J., Kispert, A., Lathrop, M., Loges, N.T., Marthin, J.K., Momozawa, Y., Montantin, G., Nielsen, K.G., Olbrich, H., Papon, J.F., Rayet, I., Roger, G., Schmidts, M., Tenreiro, H., Towbin, J.A., Zelenika, D., Zentgraf, H., Georges, M., Lequarré, A.S., Katsanis, N., Omran, H., Amselem, S. : CCDC39 is required for assembly of inner dynein arms and the dynein regulatory complex and for normal ciliary motility in humans and dogs. Nat Genet 43:72-8, 2011. Pubmed reference: 21131972. DOI: 10.1038/ng.726.
Review
04/04/2026 by Dr. Margarette
Breed
Old english sheepdog