Atopic dermatitis in Norwegian dogs.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Dermatology
• Immunology
• Allergology

Background:

• Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is a prevalent allergic skin disease in dogs.
• Identifying specific allergens is crucial for managing CAD.
• Understanding the immunological basis of CAD aids in developing effective treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the prevalence of immediate hypersensitivity skin test reactions in dogs with clinical signs of atopic dermatitis.
• To identify common allergens triggering these reactions.
• To confirm the presence and persistence of reaginic antibodies in affected dogs.

Main Methods:

• Intradermal skin testing was performed on 122 dogs with clinical atopic dermatitis.
• The Prausnitz-Küstner test was used to assess passive transfer of reaginic antibodies.
• Allergen extracts included house dust, house dust mite (Dermatophagoides farinae), and human dander.

Main Results:

• 65.6% of dogs exhibited immediate skin test reactivity to one or more allergens.
• House dust, D. farinae, and human dander were the most frequent allergens.
• Reaginic antibodies transferred via serum remained bound in recipient dogs' skin for up to 192 hours.
• West Highland White Terriers and Boxers were identified as highly affected breeds.
• The typical age of onset for clinical symptoms was 1-4 years (72.2% of cases).

Conclusions:

• Immediate hypersensitivity skin testing is a valuable diagnostic tool for canine atopic dermatitis.
• Specific environmental allergens like house dust, mites, and dander are key triggers.
• The presence and persistence of reaginic antibodies confirm an allergic basis for the condition.
• Breed predisposition and age of onset provide further insights into CAD epidemiology.