Infectious Diseases with a Genetic Component

Infectious diseases in general tend to affect those with a compromised immune system or barrier. However, some infectious diseases have a genetic component.

Demodecosis
The classic example is demodicosis. Demodicosis is caused by a proliferation of demodex mites. This mite is a normal inhabitant of mammals skin, but the mite numbers can increase when there is immunosuppression or a hereditary defect of the immune system. Demodicosis can be divided into adult onset and juvenile onset. Adult onset usually has an underlying immuno-sup- pressive disease or medication implicated. The juvenile form though has strong evidence for a genetic basis. The american college of veterinary dermatologists adopted a resolution in 1981 recommending the neu- tering of all dogs with generalized demodicosis.
Breeds that have been reported are doberman pinschers, chinese shar peis, american staffordshire terriers, dal- matians, english bulldogs, great danes, boston terriers, chihuahuas, boxers, pugs, old english sheepdogs, ger- man shepherd dogs, collies and afghan hounds. In my experience i would add dogo argentinos to the list.
The disease can be further differentiated into localized and generalized forms. The localized forms may be self limiting while the generalized forms will require treatment and can be life threatening.
Treatment involves addressing any secondary bacterial or yeast infections and miticidal therapy.
Options that are currently available in the us are amitraz dips weekly, oral ivermectin (400 μg/kg po sid) and milbemycin (1.5-2 Mg/kg po sid). [...]