Clinical relevance of intradermal test results in atopic dogs.

TOPIC AND AIMS: Canine atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory and pruritic skin disease and in most cases associated with IgE antibodies against environmental allergens. To date, the only causative therapeutic option is allergen immunotherapy (AIT). Offending allergens for AIT can be identified by intradermal testing (IDT) or serum allergen-specific IgE testing. The aim of the study was to evaluate positive IDT results considering the atopic dogs' clinical history. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An IDT was performed on 48 atopic dogs and their owners completed a detailed questionnaire about the seasonal course of their pruritus. Results of IDT were correlated with the seasonal occurrence of pruritus. RESULTS: The most common positive IDT reactions were observed to mite allergens (33.3-62.5 %). Prevalence of positive reactions to individual tree, grass and weed pollen ranged between 8.3 % and 25 %. Moulds and epithelial allergens produced positive reactions in only 0-6.3 %. A correlation between positive IDT reactions and course of pruritus could neither be found for perennial nor for seasonal allergens. CONCLUSION: The evaluation of IDT reactions may not be an optimal method for identification of clinically relevant allergens in canine AD. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The results of this study emphasise the importance of considering clinical history in addition to allergy test results in the formulation of an allergen extract for desensitisation.

[Repeatability and variability of total T4 measurements at three German veterinary laboratories]. / Reproduzierbarkeit und Variabilität der Thyroxinmessung bei drei deutschen veterinärmedizinischen Laboren.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reproducibility of serum testing for total thyroxine (T4) in three German laboratories. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum was taken from 53 dogs with suspected hypothyroidism and divided into five aliquots. Three aliquots of each sample were marked with different names and sent to one laboratory (two aliquots simultaneously and one aliquot 1-3 days later). The remaining aliquots were sent to two other laboratories. Laboratory 1 used an enzyme immunoassay for T4 measurements, whereas laboratories 2 and 3 used a chemiluminescence immunoassay. The agreement between the three laboratories (values within or below the reference interval) was determined using the Cohen's Kappa test. The intra- and interassay variability was calculated for each laboratory and the agreement between samples submitted to the same laboratory was also determined using the Cohen's Kappa test. RESULTS: For n = 23/41 patients tested simultaneously in the three laboratories, all three values were either uniformly below, within or above the respective reference interval. The Cohen's Kappa value for intra- and interassay agreement was 1.0 in laboratory 2 (n = 15, complete agreement), 0.33 in laboratory 1 (n = 16) and 0.37 (intra-) and 0.19 (interassay agreement) in laboratory 3 (n = 16, low agreement). There was a low agreement between laboratories 1 and 2 and between laboratories 1 and 3 (κ = 0.30 and 0.25, respectively), while a high agreement was determined between laboratories 2 and 3 (κ = 0.68). The intrassay variability of laboratories 1, 2 and 3 was 13.6%, 5.0% and 10.4%, the interassay variability 17.2%, 5.1% and 17.4%, respectively. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The differences in the measurement of thyroxine concentrations of the same serum sample in different laboratories and at different time points in the same laboratory underline the high relevance of interpreting laboratory results in context with the clinical signs of hypothyroidism as well as other laboratory values such as TSH concentration.

Cutaneous alternariosis in an immunocompromised dog successfully treated with cold plasma and cessation of immunosuppressive medication.

A cutaneous infection with Alternaria spp. was diagnosed in a 2-year-old male intact Irish setter dog, presenting with multifocal papules, plaques and ulcerations involving all four distal limbs, shoulder blades, scrotum, pinnae and nasal mucous membranes. The dog had been treated for inflammatory bowel disease and lymphangiectasia with immunosuppressive doses of cyclosporine and prednisolone for approximately 3 months. The diagnosis was based on clinical signs, the demonstration of fungal elements within skin biopsies, deep fungal culture and fungal PCR from a formalin-fixed tissue specimen. Complete clinical remission was achieved by tapering and cessation of the immunosuppressive medication, treatment with cold atmospheric-pressure plasma (CAPP) and topical enilconazole within 8 weeks.

The effects of a topical lipid complex therapy on dogs with atopic dermatitis: a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Canine atopic dermatitis is a common clinical presentation. The skin barrier seems to play a fundamental role in the pathogenesis. Therefore a topical spot-on product containing a mixture of lipids may improve clinical signs without adverse effects if it were to improve stratum corneum barrier function. ANIMALS: Twenty six privately owned atopic dogs of different breed, age, gender and weight were included in a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To evaluate potential clinical benefits and influence on skin barrier function of a topical lipid-containing product applied to the skin of atopic dogs. METHODS AND RESULTS: Atopic dermatitis was diagnosed by adequate testing and the exclusion of other possible pruritic diseases. Dogs were randomly allocated to two treatment groups. A spot-on product containing different types of lipids was applied twice weekly to predisposed and affected areas. The placebo preparation contained only the excipients. The clinical effects were regularly verified with a Visual Analog Score and the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index. A medication score was calculated and barrier function was evaluated by means of transepidermal water loss and pH measurements. Twenty three dogs completed the study. There were no significant differences between the groups for any of the evaluated parameters. Adverse effects were not noted. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This study could not confirm significant clinical improvement when using the product compared to the placebo, although its use was not associated with adverse effects.

Seasonal leukotrichia in a German shepherd dog. A case report. / Saisonale Leukotrichie bei einem Deutschen Schäferhund. Ein Fallbericht.

Leukotrichia can be caused by a variety of metabolic and inflammatory diseases. Canine alopecia areata is a rare multifactorial benign non-scarring alopecia. This case report describes a seasonally recurrent leukotrichia associated with alopecia areata in a German shepherd dog. Important differential diagnoses were ruled out and histopathology finally confirmed the diagnosis of alopecia areata. Topical tacrolimus and hydrocortisone aceponate were ineffective. The cause for the seasonal character in this case remained undetermined.

In vitro effect of hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.42 on canine platelet function.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of 6% hydroxyethyl starch (HES) solution, with a molecular weight of 130 kDa and a degree of substitution of 0.42, on canine platelet function in vitro. SAMPLES: Blood samples from 31 healthy adult dogs. PROCEDURES: Citrated blood was diluted with saline (0.9% NaCl) solution or HES 130/0.42 in ratios of 1:9 (ie, 1 part saline solution or HES 130/0.42 and 9 parts blood) and 1:3. Platelet plug formation time (closure time [Ct]) was measured with a platelet function analyzer and cartridges coated with collagen and ADP. RESULTS: Median baseline Ct with citrated blood was 84.0 seconds (interquartile range, 74.5 to 99.5 seconds). Results obtained with 1:9 dilutions with saline solution and HES 130/0.42 were not significantly different from baseline results. The 1:3 dilutions with saline solution and HES 130/0.42 resulted in median Cts of 96.0 seconds (interquartile range, 85.5 to 110.8 seconds) and 112.0 seconds (92.0 to 126.0 seconds), respectively. Results obtained with both 1:3 dilutions were significantly different from baseline results. The Ct obtained with the HES dilution was also significantly different from that of the 1:3 dilution with saline solution. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Saline solution and HES 130/0.42 in a 1:3 dilution affected canine platelet function by prolonging Cts. The HES 130/0.42 had a significantly greater effect on canine platelets than did saline solution.