Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0023380 (lethargy)
 5,697 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Megaesophagus was diagnosed in 9 adult ferrets. Clinical history of the ferrets included regurgitation, difficulty in swallowing, partial anorexia, and lethargy. Cachexia, dehydration, weakness, and ptyalism were observed on physical examination. Radiography revealed the esophagus of each ferret to be dilated in the thoracic and cervical regions. Of 4 ferrets that had lymphocytopenia, 2 had concurrent leukopenia. Serum biochemical analysis revealed high activity of alanine transaminase (4 ferrets) and aspartate transaminase (3), and hypoglycemia (4). Treatment included administration of fluid, antibiotics, and agents directed against possible primary causes of megaesophagus. Treatments were ineffective, and all of the ferrets died or were euthanatized. All 6 ferrets that were submitted for necropsy had bronchopneumonia, hepatic lipidosis, mild esophagitis, and gastritis. The etiopathogenesis of megaesophagus in the ferrets was not determined.
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PMID:Megaesophagus in nine ferrets. 796 Oct 71

Primary hypothyroidism is commonly associated with lethargy, alopecia, hyperpigmentation, alterations in skin and hair coat, anestrus and bradycardia. However, there is also a neurological manifestation of hypothyroidism with neuromuscular signs. Four dogs with generalized polyneuropathy are described. Two dogs had peripheral vestibular signs, two other lower motor neuron disease with megaesophagus. Diagnosis was based on neurological examination, TSH-stimulation test and electrodiagnostic findings including electromyography, motor nerve conduction velocity and brainstem evoked potentials. On histological examination lymphocytic thyroiditis was diagnosed in two cases. Three dogs recovered after supplementation with Eltroxine (Levothyroxine) and one dog was euthanatized because of megaesophagus and concomitant aspiration pneumonia.
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PMID:[Neurologic symptoms in relation to hypothyroidism in the dog: review of the literature and case reports]. 809 Nov 79

Careful review of the literature regarding clinical signs caused by hypothyroidism in dogs has shown that some assumptions regarding the relation of hypothyroidism to other conditions are based on anecdotal evidence. Cutaneous manifestations are present in most hypothyroid dogs, but the specific abnormalities and breed variations remain to be clearly defined. Decreased metabolic rate manifested by obesity and lethargy is also common. Neurologic manifestations, although uncommon, clearly occur in hypothyroid dogs. Cardiac abnormalities seem to be common, but their clinical significance is questionable. The only consistent hematologic abnormality that occurs in hypothyroid dogs is anemia; evidence for acquired von Willebrand's disease or other bleeding disorders is negligible. Reproductive dysfunction secondary to hypothyroidism is unlikely to occur in male dogs, and there is no evidence to support abnormalities in female dogs. The relation of megaesophagus, laryngeal paralysis, ocular abnormalities, and gastrointestinal disorders with hypothyroidism remains to be established. Future research into canine hypothyroidism may serve to convert dogma into a more clear understanding of the manifestations and pathophysiologic findings of this common endocrinopathy.
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PMID:Conditions associated with canine hypothyroidism. 1157 Jan 33

An 11-year-old, spayed female, teacup poodle was evaluated for a chronic cough, lethargy, hindlimb weakness, and reluctance to exercise. Thoracic radiographs revealed megaesophagus and aspiration pneumonia. Serum antibodies against acetylcholine receptors confirmed the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis. The unusual clinical history and case outcome are discussed.
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PMID:Acquired myasthenia gravis in a poodle. 2153 24

A spontaneously arising, loss-of-function mutation in the RNA binding motif protein 20 (Rbm20) gene, which encodes a nuclear splicing protein, was previously identified as the underlying reason for expression of an abnormally large TITIN (TTN) protein in a rat model of cardiomyopathy. An outbreak of Pseudomonas aeruginosa led to submission of rats with dyspnea, sneezing, lethargy, nasal discharge, and/or unexpected death for diagnostic evaluation. Necropsy revealed underlying megaesophagus in Rbm20-/- rats. Further phenotyping of this rat strain and determination of the size of esophageal TTN was undertaken. The Rbm20-defective rats developed megaesophagus at an early age (26 weeks) with high frequency (13/32, 41%). They also often exhibited secondary rhinitis (9/32, 28%), aspiration pneumonia (8/32, 25%), and otitis media/interna (6/32, 19%). In addition, these rats had a high prevalence of hydronephrosis (13/32, 41%). RBM20 is involved in splicing multiple RNA transcripts, one of which is the muscle-specific protein TTN. Rbm20 mutations are a significant cause of dilated cardiomyopathy in humans. In Rbm20-defective rats, TTN size was significantly increased in the skeletal muscle of the esophagus. Megaesophagus in this rat strain (maintained on a mixed genetic background) is hypothesized to result from altered TTN stretch signaling in esophageal skeletal muscle. This study describes a novel mechanism for the development of megaesophagus, which may be useful for understanding the pathogenesis of megaesophagus in humans and offers insights into potential myogenic causes of this condition. This is the first report of megaesophagus and other noncardiac pathogenic changes associated with mutation of Rbm20 in any species.
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PMID:Megaesophagus Is a Major Pathological Condition in Rats With a Large Deletion in the Rbm20 Gene. 3122 Oct 19