Acrodermatitis enteropathica / AE (SLC39A4-related) - Cat

About acrodermatitis enteropathica

Acrodermatitis enteropathica (AE) is a severe inherited disorder affecting zinc uptake and skin health in cats. It can also be described as an SLC39A4-related zinc transport disorder, because SLC39A4 encodes ZIP4, a transporter important for intestinal zinc uptake.

In Turkish Van kittens, AE can cause growth delay, diarrhea, severe inflammatory skin disease, scaling, hair loss, crusts, lesions and secondary skin infections from a young age. The condition can progress rapidly, making early knowledge of carrier status and breeding risk valuable.

What does this analysis test?

This DNA test detects the SLC39A4 variant c.1057G>C, also described as p.Gly353Arg. The disease is autosomal recessive: carriers have one copy, affected kittens have two copies.

Practical value of this test

• Breed-focused selection: especially relevant for Turkish Van cats and lines where the variant occurs.
• Carrier identification: shows which animals can silently pass on the variant.
• Avoiding affected combinations: helps plan matings so kittens do not inherit two copies.