Intralymphatic Immunotherapy with Ultrasound Guidance Seems to Be Associated with Improved Clinical Effect in Canine Atopic Dermatitis-A Retrospective Study of 109 Cases.

Intralymphatic immunotherapy (ILIT) has been used successfully in both human and veterinary medicine as a safe and effective treatment for allergic diseases. Initially, ILIT was administered by ultrasound guidance, but palpation-based injections have become more popular among veterinary dermatologists. Data from human medicine, however, show that precise injection into the lymph node is mandatory, and injection quality clearly correlates with clinical response.

Independent Variants in Cats with Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa.

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB), characterized by defective adhesion of the epidermis to the dermis, is a heterogeneous disease with many subtypes in human patients and domestic animals. We investigated two unrelated cats with recurring erosions and ulcers on ear pinnae, oral mucosa, and paw pads that were suggestive of EB. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of EB in both cats.

Hymenoptera Venom Immunotherapy in Dogs: Safety and Clinical Efficacy.

Hymenoptera allergens are the main triggers for anaphylaxis in susceptible dogs and humans. Hymenoptera venom specific immunotherapy (VIT), the only disease-modifying treatment, has the potential to prevent future life-threatening reactions in human patients. Prospective clinical data on VIT efficacy in dogs are currently lacking.

Cyclosporine induced generalized hyperkeratosis in a dog.

Cyclosporine is a potent immunosuppressive agent used in veterinary medicine to treat a variety of inflammatory or immune mediated conditions. Many adverse effects are associated with this medication, however most of them rarely occur. A 5-year-old, female intact French bulldog was presented with multiple, multifocally distributed, severe hyperkeratotic and papillomatous/verrucous plaques.

Phaeohyphomycosis caused by Phialophora americana in a dog.

Phaeohyphomycosis was diagnosed in a 6-year-old, male castrated Dachshund on immunosuppressive treatment. The fungus was identified by culture and PCR as Phialophora americana. This is the first reported case of infection with this pathogen in a dog.

Interleukin 10 and transforming growth factor-beta 1 plasma levels in atopic dogs before and during immunotherapy.

Background: Human studies suggest that the cytokines, interleukin 10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-ß1) may play an important role in allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT). However, there is little known about the function of these cytokines in atopic dogs. This study compared the plasma levels of IL-10 and TGF-ß1 in atopic and control dogs and investigated their changes during different ASIT approaches.

Independent DSG4 frameshift variants in cats with hair shaft dystrophy.

Investigations of hereditary phenotypes in spontaneous mutants may help to better understand the physiological functions of the altered genes. We investigated two unrelated domestic shorthair cats with bulbous swellings of the hair shafts. The clinical, histopathological, and ultrastructural features were similar to those in mice with lanceolate hair phenotype caused by loss-of-function variants in Dsg4 encoding desmoglein 4.

A novel therapeutic diet can significantly reduce the medication score and pruritus of dogs with atopic dermatitis during a nine-month controlled study.

Background: Canine atopic dermatitis (cAD) is a common chronic relapsing pruritic skin disease for which management commonly relies on life-long use of immunomodulatory drugs. A number of the medications used are associated with adverse effects and the potential for complications during long-term use.

Hypothesis: The goal of the study was to determine if a complete and balanced diet formulated for therapeutic benefit could contribute towards management of cAD.

Sensitivity and specificity of a shortened elimination diet protocol for the diagnosis of food-induced atopic dermatitis (FIAD).

Background: The gold standard to diagnose food allergy in dogs is an eight week elimination diet trial (EDT) followed by a re-challenge. A recent study demonstrated that a shorter EDT is possible if prednisolone is administered initially.

Hypothesis/objectives: The goal was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the EDT based on the number of relapses after prednisolone discontinuation.

Atopic dermatitis in West Highland white terriers - Part III: early life peripheral blood regulatory T cells are reduced in atopic dermatitis.

Background: Regulatory T (Treg) cells are involved in homeostasis of immune regulation and suppression of inflammation and T-cell polarisation. Current knowledge regarding the role of Treg cells in the initiation of allergic disease is limited for both people and dogs.

Objectives: To explore the role of circulating Treg cells and their possible influencing factors, on the development of atopic dermatitis (AD).

Evaluation of Plasma C-Reactive Protein as a Biomarker in Dogs with Atopic -Dermatitis Receiving Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy: A Pilot Study.

In this pilot study, we wished to determine if C-reactive protein (CRP) levels could be a useful severity or treatment biomarker for canine atopic dermatitis (AD). Nine atopic dogs received allergen immunotherapy for 1 year. Blood was collected before and at four re-evaluation visits.

Hair follicle dystrophy in a litter of domestic cats resembling lanceolate hair mutant mice.

Background: A new congenital hair-shaft abnormality resembling the lanceolate hair phenotype of rodents is described in a litter of four domestic short hair (DSH) cats. Data relating to hair shaft and follicle disorders remain scarce in veterinary medicine.

Objectives: To describe and compare structural abnormalities in these cats with other hair dystrophies in cats and other mammals.

Venom immunotherapy for Hymenoptera allergy in a dog.

A 1.5-year-old male castrated dog was presented in anaphylactic shock after suffering an apparent bee sting. Immunotherapy with bee venom was initiated based upon history, skin testing and serological testing for allergen-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E.

A comparative study of subcutaneous, intralymphatic and sublingual immunotherapy for the long-term control of dogs with nonseasonal atopic dermatitis.

Background: Allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) is the only causative treatment of canine atopic dermatitis (cAD). Different routes for administration of ASIT have been used; however, comparative studies are lacking.

Hypothesis/objectives: The present study compared the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous (SCIT), intralymphatic (ILIT) and sublingual (SLIT) immunotherapy.

Atopic dermatitis in a cohort of West Highland white terriers in Switzerland. Part II: estimates of early life factors and heritability.

Background: There is accumulating evidence in studies of allergic diseases in humans and dogs that environmental experiences during the first months of life can influence the development of allergic disease. No prospective study has evaluated this in veterinary medicine.

Hypothesis/objectives: To assess early-life risk factors for canine atopic dermatitis (cAD) and estimate its heritability.

Impact of the early-life skin microbiota on the development of canine atopic dermatitis in a high-risk breed birth cohort.

Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is a prevalent inflammatory skin disease of dogs worldwide. Certain breeds such as the West Highland White Terriers (WHWT) are predisposed to suffer from CAD. Microbial dysbiosis is known to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of the disease, which is similar to its human counterpart, atopic dermatitis (AD).

Atopic dermatitis in West Highland white terriers - part I: natural history of atopic dermatitis in the first three years of life.

Background: Canine atopic dermatitis (cAD) is a common allergic skin disease that is known to affect individuals early in life; the natural history of its initial development has not been documented. Some breeds such as West Highland white terriers (WHWTs) are highly predisposed to cAD.

Objectives: To follow 100 WHWT puppies during their first three years and to record the onset of clinical signs of cAD.

The usefulness of short-course prednisolone during the initial phase of an elimination diet trial in dogs with food-induced atopic dermatitis.

Background: Food allergy is a possible cause of atopic dermatitis (AD) in dogs; it is typically diagnosed following an eight-week elimination diet trial (EDT) and a provocation with the original diet. This lengthy procedure is difficult for owners and its interpretation may be unclear.

Hypothesis/objectives: To test the effect of prednisolone used in the first weeks of an EDT in order to reduce the total time period for diagnosis.

Circulating CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) T regulatory cell levels in an experimental model of canine atopic dermatitis.

Background: The pathogenesis of canine atopic dermatitis (cAD) is characterized immunologically by an imbalanced T-cell response. Mechanisms of immune regulation in cAD have not yet been completely elucidated.

Objectives: To investigate peripheral blood T regulatory (Treg) cells and their associated cytokines (TGF-β and IL-10) in an experimental model of cAD.

Itch suppression in mice and dogs by modulation of spinal α2 and α3GABA receptors.

Chronic itch is a highly debilitating condition affecting about 10% of the general population. The relay of itch signals is under tight control by inhibitory circuits of the spinal dorsal horn, which may offer a hitherto unexploited therapeutic opportunity. Here, we found that specific pharmacological targeting of inhibitory α2 and α3GABA receptors reduces acute histaminergic and non-histaminergic itch in mice.

A Toxocara canis infection influences the immune response to house dust mite allergens in dogs.

Background: The "hygiene hypothesis" suggests that a western way of life, including the extended use of anti-infective drugs, a high standard of hygiene and the resulting reduced exposure to microorganisms, could be one of the possible explanations for the increasing prevalence of allergic diseases in humans and animals.

Objectives: we wished to evaluate if a nematode infection influenced IgE sensitization and allergic reactions to house dust mites in an experimental atopic dog model.

Methods: Twelve 10-week-old beagles were included: six of them were inoculated orally withToxocara canis (Tc) while six served as non-infected.