A Comparison of Multiple Allergen Simultaneous Tests Using Allergen-Specific IgE Concentration and Intradermal Skin Tests in Atopic Horses With Pollen Allergy.

Intradermal tests (IDTs) and measurement of specific immunoglobulin E class (sIgE) levels in sera are the most common and reliable methods used in allergological clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to explore the sensitization of pollen allergy in atopic horses with pollinosis and to assess the diagnostic value of the multiple allergen simultaneous tests (MASTs) compared with that of the IDT. Twenty-one Malopolski horses with typical skin hypersensitivity symptoms during pollen seasons were enrolled. Intradermal tests were performed, and allergen-specific IgE concentrations in sera were measured using a monoclonal anti-IgE antibody to pollens of grass, weeds, trees, and cultivated plants. The highest sensitization rate was for Secale cereale (IDT, 76%; MAST, 66.7%), grass (IDT, 71%; MAST, 57%), and Brassica napus (IDT, 52.4%; MAST, 57%). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) showed that Betula spp., Alnus spp., and Corylus spp. had the highest AUC at 0.854, followed by Secale cereale (AUC = 0.796), Plantago lanceolata (AUC = 0.726), Brassica napus (AUC = 0.704), and a grass allergen mixture (AUC = 0.695). The mean AUC for all allergens was 0.712 (0.604-0.867). The overall sensitivity of the sIgE plant horse panel was 78% (range, 68%-90%), the specificity was 86.3% (range, 64%-100%), and the accuracy was 79% (range, 64%-87%). Statistical kappa (κ) agreement between the MAST and IDT was reached for tree (κ = 0.767), rye (κ = 0.687), colza (κ = 0.671), and grass (κ = 0.664) pollen. The MAST showed a favorable agreement with the IDT and can be used for the detection of sIgE in atopic horses with pollinosis.

Evaluation of Collagen and Elastin Content in Skin of Multiparous Minks Receiving Feed Contaminated with Deoxynivalenol (DON, Vomitoxin) with or without Bentonite Supplementation.

Deoxynivalenol (DON, vomitoxin) is considered one of the most dangerous mycotoxins contaminating cereal products for food and feed. One of the protective methods against the adverse effect of DON on mink health is to use a component such as bentonite as a feed supplement to allow toxins absorption. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of DON, administered alone or with bentonite, on the histological structure of the skin and the content of collagen and elastin. A multiparous minks from control group (not exposed to DON) and a study groups receiving fed with DON-containing wheat for seven months: I: at a concentration of 1.1 mg/kg of feed, II: at a concentration of 3.7 mg/kg; III: DON at a concentration of 3.7 mg/kg and bentonite at a concentration of 0.5 kg/1000 kg of feed (0.05%); and IV: DON at a concentration of 3.7 mg/kg and bentonite at a concentration 2 kg/1000 kg (0.2%). After performing euthanasia and before pelting, skin samples of 2 cm in diameter were drawn from the multiparous minks from the lateral surface of the right anterior limb. Our obtained results clearly indicate that DON administered for a period of seven months at a dose of 1.1 mg/kg significantly changes the thickness of skin of a multiparous mink. It causes an increase in the percentage of elastin from 5.9% to 9.4% and a decrease in immature collagen, which results in a change in the collagen/elastin ratio from 10/1 to 5/1. A dose of 3.7 mg/kg DON in feed without or with 0.05% bentonite causes the absence of immature collagen in the dermis, but the addition of 0.2% bentonite in the feed reveals the presence of immature collagen and increase the percentage of the elastin.

Evaluation of multiple allergen simultaneous (sIgE) testing compared to intradermal testing in the etiological diagnosis of atopic dermatitis in horses.

Although intradermal testing (IDT) is commonly used in the etiological diagnosis of allergies, in vitro testing for specific IgE (sIgE) is an attractive alternative. Currently, new laboratory techniques in veterinary allergological practice, including multiple allergen simultaneous tests (MASTs), gradually supersede in vivo tests. Both, serological (sIgE) and IDTs in fourteen atopic Malopolski horses were performed. Correlation and agreement between test results were evaluated. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that sIgE to Acarus siro had the best diagnostic performance (Area under the ROC curve [AUC] = 0.969), followed by Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (AUC = 0.844), Dermatophagoides farinae (AUC = 0.813) and Tyrophagus putrescentiae (AUC = 0.803). A significant positive correlation between IDT and MAST was found for A. siro (rS = 0.870; p = 0.00005), and D. farinae (rS = 0.657; p = 0.011). There was significant moderate agreement for 2 of 5 allergens, A. siro (κ = 0.569) and D. farinae (κ = 0.485) in semiquantitative assessment and significant fair to substantial agreement for 3 of 5 allergens, D. pteronyssinus (κ = 0.689), A. siro (κ = 0.569), D. farinae (κ = 0.432) in dichotomic assessment. Sensitivity ranged from 44% to 89%, depending on the allergen, while specificity was significantly higher for all allergens in MAST (60%-100%); the mean accuracy was 73% (manufacturer cut-off) and 77.4% (optimal cut-off) based on the Youden index. Compared with IDT, serological MAST showed good detection performance for 60% allergen sIgE in dichotomic assessment with substantial diagnostic capability, but careful clinical interpretation is needed for some allergens.

The influence of treatment with lokivetmab on transepidermal water loss (TEWL) in dogs with spontaneously occurring atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most common skin diseases in dogs. Monitoring the progress of treatment may include assessment of lesion severity by use of Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (CADESI), assessment of pruritus and measurement of biophysical parameters of the skin. HYPOTHESIS: This study aimed to assess changes in transepidermal water loss (TEWL) during 12 weeks of treatment with lokivetmab and its correlation with the CADESI-04 and the severity of pruritus. ANIMALS: Ten client-owned dogs with canine AD. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The animals were administered lokivetmab three times at four week intervals. Pruritus and CADESI-04 were assessed, and TEWL was measured at six body regions, on Day 0 and repeated at weeks 4, 8 and 12. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in the CADESI-04 score, the severity of pruritus and the mean TEWL between baseline and each of the time points. TEWL also decreased in the majority of body sites examined. Significant correlations between the CADESI-04 and mean TEWL (r = 0.519, P = 0.0003), and between pruritus severity and mean TEWL (r = 0.517, P = 0.0003), were found. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Overall TEWL decreased during lokivetmab treatment but not at all body sites. If TEWL is used to assess the effectiveness of a treatment, a mean TEWL score should be calculated from several areas of the body.

A Comparison of Intradermal Skin Testing and Serum Insect Allergen-specific IgE Determination in Horses With Insect Bite Hypersensitivity From 2008 to 2016.

New techniques in equine veterinary allergy testing include multiple allergen simultaneous tests (MASTs) that cover insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH), respiratory and atopic allergic diseases. The in vivo intradermal test (IDT) method is one of the most widely used techniques in veterinary practice, but recently, in vitro methods have been introduced as possible alternatives. This study was designed to assess the correlation between IDTs and MASTs based on IgE determination in serum. The study was performed on Malopolski breed horses with IBH (n = 26). IDTs were performed, and allergen-specific IgE serum concentrations were measured using a monoclonal anti-IgE antibody during the years 2008-2016. An allergen panel containing Tabanus spp., Culicoides nubeculosus, mosquito (Culex spp.), Simulium equinum, and Stomoxys calcitrans was used. This study shows good agreement and correlation (correlation coefficient rho, 0.413-0.589) between the two tests for four (Tabanus spp, Culicoides nubeculosus, Culex spp., Simulium equinum) of the five tested allergens in horses with IBH. The overall sensitivity (Se) of the allergen-specific IgE insect horse panel was 72.6% (range, 30.8%-91.3%), the specificity (Sp) was 63.6% (range, 50%-70.1%), and the accuracy (Acc) was 73.3% (range, 48%-88.5%) compared with IDTs. This study found good agreement and correlation between IDTs and serological MASTs based on monoclonal antibodies for most of the determined allergens for horses with IBH.

Correlation between transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and severity of clinical symptoms in cats with atopic dermatitis.

The aim of this study was to demonstrate whether there is a correlation between transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and the severity of skin lesions in cats with feline atopic dermatitis (AD). The severity of symptoms was determined by using 2 scoring systems for clinically assessing the skin lesions in cats: Scoring Feline Allergic Dermatitis (SCORFAD) and Feline Extent and Severity Index (FeDESI). Such a correlation between TEWL and systems for clinically evaluating symptoms has already been shown in humans and dogs. Measurements were taken in 18 European Shorthair cats: 11 females and 7 males. Scores were calculated using SCORFAD and FeDESI and TEWL was measured in 7 areas of the body. Correlations were calculated between SCORFAD and TEWL and between FeDESI and TEWL for each body region and the average TEWL was also calculated with each system. Positive correlations were found between SCORFAD and TEWL in 3 of the examined areas: thorax (r = 0.44, P = 0.02); axilla (r = 0.39, P = 0.04); and forelimb (r = 0.55, P = 0.02). A correlation was also found between the average TEWL and SCORFAD (r = 0.41, P = 0.03). In the case of FeDESI, a correlation was found in the forelimb (r = 0.53, P = 0.02), but no correlation was found between FeDESI and the average TEWL. The results obtained showed that TEWL can be used as an additional tool in clinically assessing atopic dermatitis in cats, although it seems to be less useful in cats than in humans.

Les maladies allergéniques de la peau sont un problème très fréquent chez les chats. Les deux systèmes d'évaluation Scoring Feline Allergic Dermatitis (SCORFAD) et Feline Extent and Severity Index (FeDESI) utilisent l'évaluation clinique de la gravité des symptômes cliniques. Chez les humains et les chiens, il existe une corrélation entre la gravité des symptômes cliniques et le Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL). Le but de l'étude était de démontrer si cette corrélation était observée chez les chats. Des mesures ont été réalisées dans 18 chats européens à courtes poils: 11 femelles, 7 mâles, SCORFAD et FeDESI ont été calculées, les mesures TEWL ont été effectuées dans 7 régions corporelles. Les corrélations entre SCORFAD et FeDESI et TEWL ont été calculées pour chaque région corporelle et entre la TEWL moyenne. Il y avait des corrélations positives entre TEWL et SCORFAD sur la poitrine: (r = 0,44, P = 0,02), alisselle (r = 0,39, P = 0,04) et avant bras (r = 0,55, P = 0,02). La corrélation entre TEWL moyen et SCORFAD a été montrée (r = 0,41, P = 0,03). FeDESI a été trouvé sur l'avant-bras (r = 0,53, P = 0,02). Les résultats montrent que TEWL est un paramètre qui peut être utilisé comme outil supplémentaire dans l'évaluation clinique de la dermatite atopique chez les chats. La pertinence de ce paramètre semble être plus faible chez le chat que chez les humains.(Traduit par les auteurs).

Evaluation of the correlation between Scoring Feline Allergic Dermatitis and Feline Extent and Severity Index and skin hydration in atopic cats.

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of the severity of clinical signs of cats with allergic skin diseases has used two scoring systems: Scoring Feline Allergic Dermatitis (SCORFAD) and the Feline Extent and Severity Index (FeDESI). The integrity of the cutaneous barrier can also be evaluated by measuring skin hydration. A correlation between the clinical score and skin hydration has been observed in humans and dogs with atopic dermatitis (AD). HYPOTHESIS: To demonstrate a correlation between the clinical score and skin hydration of cats affected with presumed AD. ANIMALS: European short hair cats (n = 18): 11 females and seven males with a confirmed diagnosis of AD. METHODS: SCORFAD and FeDESI scores were calculated and the measurements of skin hydration were assessed from seven body sites using corneometry. The correlation between the SCORFAD and FeDESI systems and skin hydration of each site, and the average skin hydration was calculated. RESULTS: There was a positive correlation between the SCORFAD score and skin hydration for the axilla, thorax and forelimb; for FeDESI and axilla and lumbar sites. There was a negative correlation between the FeDESI and skin hydration for the pinna (r = -0.47). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Measurements of skin hydration could be a useful tool for the evaluation of allergic cats. There is limited evidence of any useful correlation between clinical scoring systems and measurements of hydration. The pinna may be a suitable region for the assessment of skin barrier function in normal and allergic cats.

Seasonal microbiological quality of air in veterinary practices in Poland.

Numerous studies focused on the bioaerosols in the areas of industry, agriculture and animal husbandry, concerning both residential and public buildings, have been conducted continuously for many years. The aim of the present work was to determine the concentration and composition of mesophilic bacterial flora in the air of selected medical and veterinary clinics located in the cities and in the countryside. Air sampling was carried out in 2011-2013 in 44 veterinary practices in autumn-winter and spring-summer seasons. The concentration of bacteria ranged from 39 - 5,034 cfu/m(3) , with higher values recorded in offices operating in the cities. In the examined medical and veterinary offices, Gram-positive bacteria comprised the largest group of microorganisms, among which Gram-positive cocci of the genus Staphylococcus prevailed, with the highest average of 1,074.40 cfu/m(3) in urban offices during the autumn season. The smallest group was represented by Gram-negative bacteria, with a concentration of 0.0 - 215 cfu/m(3). In total, 93 kinds/species of bacteria were identified. A 12-month series of studies showed the highest mean concentrations of microorganisms in autumn for offices located in the city, while the lowest in winter for rural centres. The environment of veterinary offices is a habitat of pathogenic and potentially pathogenic bacteria, which may pose health problems not only for residents, but also for the animals.

Assessment of a correlation between Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (CADESI-03) and selected biophysical skin measures (skin hydration, pH, and erythema intensity) in dogs with naturally occurring atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis is a common allergic skin disease in dogs. The aim of this study was to examine the possibility of a correlation between biophysical skin variables: skin hydration (SH), skin pH, and erythema intensity measured in 10 different body regions and both total Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (CADESI-03) and CADESI measured in a given region (CADESI L). The study was conducted using 33 dogs with atopic dermatitis. The assessment of the biophysical variables was done in 10 body regions: the lumbar region, right axillary fossa, right inguinal region, ventral abdominal region, right lateral thorax region, internal surface of the auricle, interdigital region of right forelimb, cheek, bridge of nose, and lateral site of antebrachum. Positive correlations were found between SH and CADESI L for the following regions: the inguinal region (r = 0.73) and the interdigital region (r = 0.82), as well as between total CADESI and SH on digital region (r = 0.52). Also, positive correlations were reported for skin pH and CADESI L in the lumbar region (r = 0.57), the right lateral thorax region (r = 0.40), and the lateral antebrachum (r = 0.35). Positive correlations were found in the interdigital region between erythema intensity and the total CADESI-03 (r = 0.60) as well as the CADESI L (r = 0.7). The results obtained suggest that it may be possible to use skin hydration, pH, and erythema intensity to assess the severity of skin lesion but positive correlation was only found in < 13.3% of possible correlations and usage of these measures in dogs is limited.

La dermatite atopique est une maladie fréquente chez les chiens. Le but de notre étude était d'étudier la corrélation entre la probabilité d'occurrence des paramètres biophysiques de la peau : l'hydratation de l'épiderme (SH), pH de la peau et de la gravité de l'érythème mesurée à 10 zones différentes du corps et à la fois totale CADESI-03 ainsi que Cadesi calculée pour une zone donnée (Cadesi L). Des études ont été effectuées dans 33 chiens atopiques. Évaluation des paramètres biophysiques a été réalisée dans 10 régions du corps : la région lombaire, la fosse axillaire droite, la région inguinale droite, la région ventrale, la région latérale droite du thorax, la surface interne de l'oreille, région interdigitale de la patte avant droite, joue, l'arête du nez et de la surface latérale de l'avant-bras. Corrélation positive entre SH et Cadesi L a été détecté sur l'environnement suivantes : la région inguinale (r = 0,73), et interdigital (r = 0,82), ainsi qu'entre le total Cadesi ­ 03 et SH dans l'espace interdigital (r = 0,52). Une corrélation positive a également été trouvé entre la peau et la érythrocytaire Cadesi L dans la région lombaire (r = 0,57), la zone de la poitrine à droite (r = 0,40), l'avant-bras latéral (r = 0,35). Des corrélations positives ont également été trouvés dans l'espace interdigital entre la sévérité de l'érythème et totale Cadesi 03 (r = 0,60) et Cadesi L (r = 0,7). Les résultats obtenus suggèrent qu'il existe une possibilité d'essai de l'hydratation de la peau, et la sévérité de la réaction de la peau dans l'évaluation de la sévérité de l'érythème gravité retour sur la peau, mais les corrélations positives ont été trouvées uniquement dans < 13,3 % de la corrélation possible, ce qui signifie que l'utilisation de ces paramètres chez les chiens est limité. (Traduit par les auteurs).

Assessment of the relationship between transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and severity of clinical signs (CADESI-03) in atopic dogs.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common allergic skin disease of dogs. Objective documentation of disease severity is important for the assessment of responses to therapeutic interventions. One common means of assessing the severity of clinical signs is the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (CADESI)-03. In addition, studies of the biophysical parameters of the skin suggest that assessment of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) may also have value for estimation of disease severity. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to verify the correlation between TEWL and CADESI-03 measured at 10 different body sites. ANIMALS: Twenty-six dogs with AD (age range 1-7 years, median age 3 years). METHODS: The assessment was performed at the following 10 body sites: the lumbar, inguinal, ventral abdominal, interdigital regions, axillary fossa, lateral thorax, lateral aspect of the antebrachium, concave surface of the auricle, cheek and bridge of the nose. RESULTS: Positive correlations were found between TEWL and the total CADESI-03 for the auricle (r = 0.59), bridge of nose (r = 0.62) and interdigital skin (r = 0.47). Positive correlations were also observed between TEWL and local CADESI-03 scores for the axillary fossa (r = 0.73), inguinal region (r = 0.55) and interdigital skin (r = 0.77). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The results indicate that it may be possible to use measurement of TEWL to assess the severity of skin lesions, but a positive correlation was found in only five of 10 body regions examined.