Azabu University and Menicon Co., Ltd. identified genes involved in the development of glaucoma common to dogs and humans in 2013.This time, the exclusive license of the patent "Method and kit for diagnosing canine glaucoma" jointly owned by both parties was granted to VEQTA Co., Ltd., and the canine glaucoma genetic test was started in May 2018.
Glaucoma is a disease in which the pressure in the eyeball (intraocular pressure) rises and causes visual impairment, and is considered to be one of the ophthalmic diseases highly dependent on dog species.Known breeds with high prevalence include Sibine, Shih Tzu, American Cocker Spaniel, Miniature Ducks, and Beagle. Among them, Sibine is the number one case and Shih Tzu is the second, and all dog breeds in total. It corresponds to about half.It has also been reported that 1% of Shiba Inu who come to our hospital for ophthalmic diseases have glaucoma.
In 2013, the "SRBD1 gene" was identified as a candidate gene for glaucoma susceptibility in dogs in the "Study on Elucidation of Genetic Factors of Canine Glaucoma" jointly conducted by Azabu University, Yokohama City University, and Menicon Co., Ltd. The "SRBD1 gene" has been reported by the Japan Glaucoma Society as a human normal tension glaucoma susceptibility gene, and this discovery suggests that the "SRBD1 gene" is a common genetic factor for glaucoma in dogs and humans.
This time, we have decided to outsource the genetic testing method and kit based on the analysis of this SRBD1 gene to VEQTA Co., Ltd. From May 2018, VEQTA started genetic testing that can predict the risk of glaucoma in Shiba Inu and Shih Tzu with high accuracy.
