2005 Volume 58 Issue 2 Pages 113-116
Eighteen dogs with demodicosis including 7 puppyhood-onset and 11 adult-onset were examined on subpopulations of peripheral blood lymphocytes by flow cytometric analysis and serum protein by electrophoresis. No significant differences were observed between the puppyhood-onset and the adult-onset groups in the ratio of the CD4+/CD8+ lymphocyte (CD4/CD8). However, in adult-onset animals, except 4 dogs suspected of steroid-onset, the ratio was significantly lower than those in normal and puppyhood-onset dogs. Treatment for demodicosis did not alter the CD4/CD8 ratio. Before treatment, values of serum protein, gamma globulin, and beta globulin were higher in dogs with demodicosis than those in normal dogs. These levels decreased after treatment. These data suggest that in dogs with demodicosis showing a low CD4/CD8 ratio, the disease is refractory.
