Can Cytosine Arabinoside With Prednisolone Treatment for Canine Meningoencephalitis of Unknown Origin Increase Survival Time Compared to Prednisolone Treatment Alone?

Christopher Stefan Francis Kozlowski Hoey; Christina Maunder

doi:10.18849/ve.v3i3.142

Christopher Stefan Francis Kozlowski Hoey University of Bristol, Bristol Veterinary School, Langford House, Langford, Bristol BS40 5DU
Christina Maunder University of Bristol, Bristol Veterinary School, Langford House, Langford, Bristol BS40 5DU

Published:

2018-07-10

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18849/ve.v3i3.142

Abstract

PICO question

In treatment of canine patients with meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO), is combination therapy of cytosine arabinoside (CA) with prednisolone more effective than prednisolone as a sole therapy at increasing survival time?

Clinical bottom line

Based on current available evidence, cytosine arabinoside with prednisolone has greater median survival time than prednisolone as a sole therapy in dogs with meningoencephalitis of unknown origin. The evidence to support this is very weak, as there are currently a low number of published papers with a relatively small number of cases reported in these studies evaluating cytosine arabinoside with prednisolone or prednisolone as a sole therapy for treatment of meningoencephalitis of unknown origin.

References

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Lowrie, M., Thomson, S., Smith, P., et al, 2016. Effect of a constant rate infusion of cytosine arabinoside on mortality in dogs with meningoencephalitis of unknown origin. The Veterinary Journal, 213, pp.1-5. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2016.03.026

Lowrie, M., Smith, P. and Garosi, L., 2013. Meningoencephalitis of unknown origin: investigation of prognostic factors and outcome using a standard treatment protocol. Vet Rec, 172(20), p.527. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/vr.101431

Menaut, P., Landart, J., Behr, S., et al, 2008. Treatment of 11 dogs with meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown origin with a combination of prednisolone and cytosine arabinoside. Veterinary Record: Journal of the British Veterinary Association, 162(8). http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/vr.162.8.241

Smith, P., Stalin, C., Shaw, D., et al, 2009. Comparison of two regimens for the treatment of meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown etiology. Journal of veterinary internal medicine, 23(3), pp.520-526.

Zarfoss, M., Schatzberg, S., Venator, K., et al, 2006. Combined cytosine arabinoside and prednisone therapy for meningoencephalitis of unknown aetiology in 10 dogs. Journal of small animal practice, 47(10), pp.588-595.

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