Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Diagnosing canine epidermolysis bullosa acquisita using collagen IV
By Olivry, T & Dunston, S M·Published in Veterinary pathology·2010·Department of Clinical Science, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Usefulness of collagen IV immunostaining for diagnosis of canine epidermolysis bullosa acquisita.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A dog with skin blisters and sores was diagnosed with epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA), an autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the skin. Researchers found that testing skin samples for collagen IV can help identify this condition, as collagen IV is more commonly found above the blisters in dogs with EBA compared to other skin diseases. This method is a cost-effective way to assist veterinarians in diagnosing EBA when specific blood tests are not available. Early diagnosis can lead to better management of the condition, helping the dog feel more comfortable.
People also search for: dog skin blisters treatment · autoimmune skin disease in dogs · collagen IV test for dog skin problems
Abstract
In dogs, autoimmune subepidermal blistering diseases (AISBDs) encompass several distinct entities that exhibit varying clinical signs, microscopic characteristics, prognosis, and response to treatment. The identification of targeted autoantigens is usually required to make the diagnosis, but immunological tests to determine these antigens are not commercially available. Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) is an AISBD characterized by the production of autoantibodies against collagen VII in sublamina densa anchoring fibrils. This article reports on the usefulness of collagen IV immunostaining on paraffin-embedded skin biopsies as an aid to diagnose EBA in dogs. In this disease, collagen IV, which forms the fibrous 2-dimensional network of lamina densa, is detected more commonly above subepidermal vesicles than below. In other canine AISBDs, this is rarely the case. Collagen IV immunostaining therefore offers an inexpensive means to help making a suggestive diagnosis of EBA in the absence of serological determination of the targeted autoantigen.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20375426/