Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Sublingual immunotherapy for dust mite allergy in dogs with skin
By DeBoer, Douglas J et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2016·Department of Medical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Clinical and immunological responses of dust mite sensitive, atopic dogs to treatment with sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Ten dogs with dust mite allergies and skin problems (atopic dermatitis) were treated with sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) for six months, while also reducing their use of oral steroids. Over this time, the dogs showed significant improvement in their itching and skin condition, with some dogs needing no steroids by the end of the study. The treatment also led to changes in their immune response, indicating it was effective in managing their allergies. This suggests that SLIT could be a promising option for dogs suffering from dust mite allergies.
People also search for: dog itching treatment · atopic dermatitis in dogs · SLIT for dog allergies · dust mite allergy in dogs · reducing steroids for dog skin problems
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) has been reported to be beneficial in people with atopic dermatitis (AD) and dust mite sensitivity. Evaluation of this therapy has not been reported in spontaneous canine AD. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to preliminarily evaluate the effectiveness of an established SLIT protocol, as used in human patients, in dogs with AD. ANIMALS: Ten dust mite sensitive dogs with spontaneous AD. METHODS: Dogs underwent a 6 month open trial of SLIT concurrently with decreasing dose oral methylprednisolone. Clinical evaluations and quantitative serum anti-mite IgE and IgG levels were performed every 2 months. RESULTS: Mean methylprednisolone use from the first 2 months of the study to the final 2 months declined from 10.2 to 4.3 mg/kg/2 months (P < 0.001, Student's paired t-test); at 6 months, four dogs required no oral corticosteroid administration. Over the course of the study, median Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (CADESI)-03 scores declined from 76.5 to 59; median pruritus scores declined from 65 to 37 (P < 0.02 and P < 0.01, respectively; Wilcoxon signed-rank test). Pre- and post-SLIT intradermal test scores for mite allergen were not significantly different over time. Median Dermatophagoides farinae (DF)-specific IgE levels declined significantly from 150.2 × 10(3) AU/mL to 3.6 × 10(3) AU/mL (P < 0.05). Concurrently, median DF-specific IgG levels increased from 18.5 × 10(6) AU/mL to 3923.4 × 10(6) AU/mL (P < 0.05; Wilcoxon signed-rank tests). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: SLIT treatment produced clinical improvement in dogs with dust mite-associated AD and was associated with serological changes supporting this improvement. Further studies in larger numbers of dogs and those with polysensitization are warranted.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26749020/