Responses to Antigens in Dogs with Atopic Dermatitis

Abstract

Intradermal skin tests (IDST) and measurements of allergen-specific IgE antibodies (serologic tests) were performed on 60 dogs with atopic dermatitis (AD) and 53 pruritic dogs without AD. Dogs with AD showed positive reactions to fleas in 40.0% of cases examined, to house dust mites (mites) in 96.7%, and to pollen in 18.2%. Serologic tests on the same animals produced positive reactions to fleas in 13.3% of all cases, to mites in 83.3%, and to pollen in 33.3%. IDST on pruritic dogs without AD showed positive reactions to fleas in 15.1% of all cases, to mites in 5.7%, and to pollen in 6.7%. Serologic tests on the same animals showed positive reactions to fleas in 9.4% of all cases, to mites in 23.7%, and to pollen in 6.7%. According to IDTS results, 85.5% of dogs with AD reacted positively to the mite Dermatophagoides farinae (Df) and 29.6% to the mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp). Serologic tests showed that the corresponding percentages were Df 83.3% and Dp 22.2%. According to the results of IDST, 7.9% of pruritic dogs without AD, reacted positively to Df and 0% to Dp. The corresponding percentages were Df 23.7% and Dp 7.9% in serologic tests. The findings of this study indicate that the mite is the most significant antigen associated with canine AD and that Df is the most common variety in Japan.