Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Antibody levels linked to skin severity in atopic dogs
By Khantavee, Nathrada et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2020·Department of Veterinary Microbiology·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Antibody levels to Malassezia pachydermatis and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in atopic dogs and their relationship with lesion scores.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of atopic dogs (dogs with allergies) showed higher levels of certain antibodies against the yeast Malassezia pachydermatis and the bacteria Staphylococcus pseudintermedius compared to healthy dogs. Researchers measured these antibody levels and looked for a connection to the severity of skin lesions caused by allergies. While the atopic dogs had increased antibody levels, there was no clear link between these levels and the severity of their skin problems. This suggests that while these microbes may trigger allergic reactions, the amount of antibodies does not directly relate to how severe the skin issues are.
People also search for: dog skin allergies treatment · why is my dog itching · Malassezia in dogs symptoms · Staphylococcus infection in dogs
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Elevated immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels to Malassezia or Staphylococcus species in human atopic dermatitis are related to the skin severity index; a similar association has not been reported in atopic dogs. OBJECTIVES: To investigate serum levels of allergen-specific IgE, total specific IgG and IgG subclasses (IgG1 and IgG2) for M. pachydermatis and S. pseudintermedius, and to correlate them with the severity of dermatitis in dogs. ANIMALS: Serum samples were collected from dogs categorized by age and disease status. Groups 1 and 2: <3-year-old healthy (n = 9) and atopic dogs (n = 9), respectively; and groups 3 and 4: ≥3-year-old healthy (n = 11) and atopic dogs (n = 14), respectively. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Antibody levels were measured by ELISA. The Canine Atopic Dermatitis Lesion Index (CADLI) was analyzed in relation to antibody levels. RESULTS: Specific IgE and total IgG against M. pachydermatis and S. pseudintermedius were significantly increased in atopic dogs of all ages. Although differences between atopic and healthy dogs, with regard to specific IgG1 and IgG2 levels to each microbe, varied in significance within age groups. No significant relationships were found between the CADLI and any specific immunoglobulin levels for both microbe types. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: In dog skin, microbes may act as allergens triggering inflammatory responses via IgE- and IgG-dependent pathway(s). The affinity of the IgG subclass produced may vary according to antigen type. Specific IgE levels may be related to clinical disease in dogs and not to skin lesion severity.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31696563/