An open study on the efficacy of a recombinant Der f 2 (Dermatophagoides farinae) immunotherapy in atopic dogs in Hungary and Switzerland.

Background: Previously published studies evaluating a recombinant Der f 2-based immunotherapy have demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of dogs experimentally and naturally sensitized to house dust mites (HDM). Der f 2 sensitization is thought to play a minor role in European atopic dogs sensitized to HDM.

Objective: The study evaluated the short-term efficacy of a recombinant Der f 2 product in the treatment of naturally sensitized atopic dogs in Switzerland and Hungary.

A pilot study of total and allergen-specific IgE serum levels during anestrous, estrous and pregnancy in healthy female dogs.

Background: Allergen-specific IgE serology is used for the determination of sensitization status in dogs with atopic dermatitis; the influence of the female reproductive cycle on the results of such methods has not been studied in dogs.

Objectives: To compare the total and allergen-specific IgE of healthy bitches during anestrous, estrous and pregnancy.

Animals: Eight privately owned, healthy bitches.

The effects of cryopreservation on the expression of canine regulatory T-cell markers.

Background: Regulatory T (Treg) cells have been described as key regulators in various immunological processes and are of growing interest in veterinary allergy. Cryopreservation of immune cells is performed routinely in human basic science research and in clinical studies. As such, it allows batch testing of collected samples at a single time point, resulting in a significant reduction in sample variability.

Recent developments in canine atopic dermatitis: a review.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a genetically predisposed inflammatory and pruritic allergic skin disease with characteristic clinical features. New results on the pathogenesis and therapeutic aspects are discussed in this review. IgE-mediated hypersensitivity may be involved in the largest subset of atopic patients, yet there is another subset for which such involvement cannot be documented.

Prevalence and features of canine atopic dermatitis in Hungary.

Medical records of 600 dogs diagnosed with atopic dermatitis were reviewed and evaluated with reference to history, geographical distribution, breed predilection, clinical signs and positive reactions to allergens as determined by intradermal skin testing (IDT) manufactured by Artuvetrin Laboratories. In 66.6% of dogs, the age of onset of atopic dermatitis was between 4 months and 3 years.