Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How cell death affects immune weakness in dogs with demodicosis
By Singh, Shanker K et al.·Published in Veterinary immunology and immunopathology·2011·Indian Veterinary Research Institute, India·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: The role of apoptosis in immunosuppression of dogs with demodicosis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 26 dogs with demodicosis, a skin condition caused by Demodex mites, were studied to understand their immune response. The dogs showed signs of skin problems, and those with generalized demodicosis had more severe immune issues compared to those with localized demodicosis and healthy dogs. Blood tests revealed that the affected dogs had lower levels of important blood cells, indicating their immune systems were weakened. The findings suggest that early cell death in their immune cells may be contributing to their inability to fight off the skin condition effectively.
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Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the status of apoptosis in peripheral blood leukocytes of dogs with demodicosis. A total of 26 dogs suffering from demodicosis, and positive for Demodex canis mites by skin scraping, participated in the study, 13 with localized demodicosis (LD) and 13 with generalized demodicosis (GD). A further 13 clinically healthy dogs, all of whom were negative for mites upon skin scraping, were used as controls. The dogs with GD revealed significantly higher (P ≤ 0.0001) percentage of leukocytes with externalization of phosphatidylserine (PS) and depolarized mitochondrial membrane potentials (ΔΨm) as compared with the dogs with LD and healthy controls. These dogs also revealed significantly lower values (P ≤ 0.0001) of hematological parameters viz. hemoglobin, total erythrocytes count total leukocytes count, lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophils. Significantly higher (P ≤ 0.0001) percentages of leukocytes with externalization of PS and depolarized ΔΨm were also found in dogs with LD as compared with the healthy controls. These dogs also revealed significantly lower values of Hb (P ≤ 0.0001), TEC (P=0.025), TLC (P ≤ 0.0001), lymphocytes (P=0.008), monocytes (P ≤ 0.0001) and neutrophils (P=0.03). It is concluded that premature apoptosis of PBL may be implicated in the immunosuppression of the dogs with demodicosis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21890219/