Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Immune system differences in young pit bull terriers with demodicosis
By Souza, Clarissa P et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2018·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Evaluation of immunological parameters in pit bull terrier-type dogs with juvenile onset generalized demodicosis and age-matched healthy pit bull terrier-type dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of pit bull terrier-type dogs with juvenile onset generalized demodicosis (JOGD), a skin condition caused by mites, showed higher levels of certain immune markers compared to healthy dogs of the same age. Specifically, the dogs with JOGD had increased serum levels of IL-2, IL-18, and MCP-1, as well as higher IgA levels. This suggests that instead of having a weak immune system, these dogs may be mounting a strong immune response to the condition. Understanding these immune responses can help veterinarians better manage and treat dogs with JOGD.
People also search for: pit bull skin problems · juvenile onset generalized demodicosis treatment · dog immune system issues
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Juvenile onset generalized demodicosis (JOGD) is thought to occur due to immunological abnormalities and is over-represented in pit bull terrier-type dogs. ANIMALS: Twelve pit bull terrier-type dogs with JOGD and 12 age-matched healthy pit bull terrier-type dogs. OBJECTIVE: To investigate immunological differences between age-matched healthy and JOGD pit bull terrier-type dogs by flow cytometry, multiplex, molecular and serological assays. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Flow cytometry quantified B cells expressing MHCII or surface-bound IgG, CD4+ T cells expressing MHCII, CD8 T cells expressing MHCII or CD11a, neutrophil and monocyte markers. Surface expression was quantified by calculating the geometric mean fluorescence index. The Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to compare median results for IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-13, IL-18, FOXP3, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, GM-CSF, KC, IgE, IgA, IgG, IgM, C-reactive protein, lymphocyte, neutrophil and monocyte in the groups. IFN-gamma, IP-10, IL-15, IL-31 and TNF-alpha also were measured; however, insufficient dogs (<5) had values that were in range of the assay to allow for statistical evaluation. Significance was defined as P < 0.05. RESULTS: Serum concentrations of IL-2, IL-18 and MCP-1 were significantly higher (P = 0.01, P = 0.01, P = 0.04) in the JOGD group. Also, IgA median value was significantly higher (P = 0.002) in pit bull terrier-type dogs with JOGD. Flow cytometry revealed that T-cell, neutrophil and monocyte markers were not different between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest an appropriate compensatory immune response by pit bull terrier-type dogs in the JOGD group and do not support the explanation of global immune deficiency in these dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30141276/