Background
Fucosidosis is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by deficiency of the enzyme a-L-fucosidase. In an healthy animal, this enzyme cleaves complex proteins and lipids so that they can be metabolised. A diseased animal lacks this enzyme whereby the complex proteins and lipids are stored in diverse organs; for example in lymph nodes, pancreas, liver, kidneys, lungs and bone marrow and especially in cerebral and neural tissue. The disease in the Springer Spaniel manifests as a mainly neurological syndrome with mixed motor and mental function deficits. Affected animals show a disturbed coordination of movements, behavioural abnormalities, blindness, deafness and problems in deglutition. The disease occurs between the age of 18 months and 4 years with a progressive course and finally lethal outgoing.
Test specific information
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Age
The disease may show itself on different ages, in which it cannot be estimated when the first symptoms may show themselves. Differences may exist between littermates, and between breeds.
Throughput
Normally the result can be expected within 15 working days. This turn-around-time starts when both the sample and the fully filled-out and signed submission form have been received.
Location of disease or trait
This disease is present in the entire body, but causes main effects in the internal organs such as stomach, intestinal tract, liver and / or kidneys. In a number of cases, the disease affects one major internal organ.
Breed dependence
This DNA test is available for the following breeds: English Springer Spaniel.
Sample type
For this DNA test we accept the following materials: Blood EDTA, Swab, Blood Heparin, Semen, Tissue. Please contact PharmaDNA if you wish to submit other material as listed.
Result
An animal can be free and has in that situation two healthy alleles. When used in breeding this animal will not become ill due to the disease. It cannot spread the disease in the population.An animal can be carrier and has in that situation one healthy and one disease allele. When used in breeding 50 percent of the offspring will receive the disease allele. Carriers will not become ill.An animal can be affected and has in that situation two disease alleles. When used in breeding all offspring will also receive the disease allele. Affected will become ill.
Inheritance
This genetic factor is inherited in an autosomal, recessive, mode. This means, that the individual can be free of the disease (homozygote normal), affected (homozygous affected) or carrier (heterozygous). Carriers may spread the mutation in a population without showing symptoms themselves. Because of this, it is extremely important to identify carriers correctly to prevent spreading of a mutation.
Severity of Disease
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