Canine Imerslund-Gräsbeck Syndrome: A literature review

Abstract

Vitamin B12 is an essential micronutrient for mammals, obtained by monogastric species from animal derived foods via a complex receptor mediated mechanism in the GI tract. This complex receptor mediated mechanism is the main focus in this review. Malabsorption of vitamin B12 is most commonly seen in the elderly, selective pediatric, nondietary-induced B12 deficiency is generally due to inherited disorders including the Imerslund-Gräsbeck syndrome and the much rarer intrinsic factor deficiency. Biochemical, clinical and genetic research on these disorders considerably improved our knowledge of vitamin B12 absorption.