Steroid-Responsive Meningitis-Arteritis (SRMA)
Steroid-responsive meningitis-arteritis (SRMA) is a non-infectious inflammatory condition of the CNS meninges and associated arterial vasculature. No specific etiology has been identified as causative. This may be an immune-mediated meningitis, as some dogs have abnormalities on some immunologic testing. Two forms of this disease exist: an acute and a chronic form, with the latter resulting in additional neurologic deficits.
SRMA has been described in the literature under a variety of names, including:
Necrotizing Vasculitis, Corticosteroid Responsive (Aseptic) Meningitis, Corticosteroid Responsive (Aseptic) Meningitis, Idiopathic Sterile Pyogranulomatous Inflammation, Nonsuppurative Meningoencephalitis, Non-Infectious Meningoencephalomyelitis, Meningitis Arteritis, Steroid Responsive Myelitis, Meningeal Polyarteritis, and Juvenile Polyarteritis Syndrome.
SRMA has been described in the literature under a variety of names, including:
Necrotizing Vasculitis, Corticosteroid Responsive (Aseptic) Meningitis, Corticosteroid Responsive (Aseptic) Meningitis, Idiopathic Sterile Pyogranulomatous Inflammation, Nonsuppurative Meningoencephalitis, Non-Infectious Meningoencephalomyelitis, Meningitis Arteritis, Steroid Responsive Myelitis, Meningeal Polyarteritis, and Juvenile Polyarteritis Syndrome.
Age of Onset: Young dogs are most commonly affected (typically between 6-18 months of age)
Sex Predisposition: Any sex of animal can be affected
Clinical Course:
Clinical signs are typically acute or subacute in onset. The clinical signs may resolve after 2-10 days, but commonly recur.
Clinical signs are typically acute or subacute in onset. The clinical signs may resolve after 2-10 days, but commonly recur.
Clinical Signs:
Behavioral/Mental Awareness
Depressed
Lethargic
Reluctance to move
Decreased appetite
Posture and Appearance
Neck rigidity
Low head-carriage
Kyphotic posture
Painful Reactions
Severe focal to diffuse cervical spinal pain
Vocalizing (“Screaming”) when handled or manipulated
Other
Fever
CBC: leukocytosis with mature neutrophilia
CSF: neutrophilic pleocytosis
Behavioral/Mental Awareness
Depressed
Lethargic
Reluctance to move
Decreased appetite
Posture and Appearance
Neck rigidity
Low head-carriage
Kyphotic posture
Painful Reactions
Severe focal to diffuse cervical spinal pain
Vocalizing (“Screaming”) when handled or manipulated
Other
Fever
CBC: leukocytosis with mature neutrophilia
CSF: neutrophilic pleocytosis
Diffuse CNS: Spinal cord meninges > Brain meninges
Unknown
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