MOCOS-associated renal syndrome in a Brown Swiss cattle.
Authors: Jacinto Joana G P, Küchler Leonore Bettina, Peters Laureen M, Van der Vekens Elke, Gurtner Corinne, Seefried Franz R, Meylan Mireille, Drögemüller Cord
Journal: Journal of veterinary internal medicine
Summary
# MOCOS-Associated Renal Syndrome in Brown Swiss Cattle A five-month-old Brown Swiss calf presenting with hoof overgrowth, poor coat quality, urinary sediment and pneumonia was found to have a severe inherited kidney disorder caused by homozygous mutations in the MOCOS gene—a condition previously documented only in Tyrolean grey cattle. Clinical and post-mortem examination revealed multifocal nephroliths, chronic interstitial nephritis with glomerulosclerosis, bilateral hydronephrosis, dysplastic changes in the claw corium and cornea, and secondary suppurative bronchopneumonia, findings consistent with xanthinuria type II. Microarray genotyping confirmed a known MOCOS frameshift variant in homozygous form in the affected calf, with both parents heterozygous carriers; screening of 24,337 Swiss dairy cattle identified the deleterious allele in 1.4% of the genotyped population (342 animals). Although carrier frequency in Brown Swiss remains relatively low, the severity of the phenotype and potential for early mortality warrant genomic testing of breeding stock and careful management of mating pairs to eliminate further cases of this progressive, fatal condition.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Cattle presenting with unexplained hoof overgrowth, rough coat, and recurrent pneumonia should be evaluated for MOCOS-associated renal disease through genetic testing and ultrasonography
- •Although carrier frequency is low at 1.4% in Brown Swiss populations, breeding programmes should incorporate genetic screening to avoid mating carriers and eliminate this recessive condition
- •The clinical phenotype includes both integumentary (hoof dysplasia, corneal changes) and urinary tract manifestations, requiring multisystem diagnostic evaluation
Key Findings
- •A homozygous MOCOS frameshift variant caused a recessive renal syndrome in a 5-month-old Brown Swiss calf with hoof overgrowth, urolithiasis, and suppurative pneumonia
- •Histological findings included nephroliths, chronic interstitial infiltrates, glomerulonephritis with sclerosis, and dysplastic changes in claw and corneal tissues
- •Carrier prevalence of the deleterious MOCOS allele was 1.4% (342/24,337) in genotyped Brown Swiss cattle
- •Both parents of the affected calf were heterozygous carriers, indicating autosomal recessive inheritance