Effect of hyposensitization on atopic dermatitis in dogs.
In a double-blind study, 51 dogs with clinically defined atopic dermatitis were injected with either alum-precipitated allergen solutions or a placebo. Comparing the treatment results of both groups on the basis of scores for clinical signs, a significant difference in clinical improvement was established in favor of the allergen-treated dogs (P less than 0.01). The proportional changes of scores for clinical signs in the allergen-treated group ranged between +27.3% and -100% (median, -61.5%) and in the placebo group between +36.4% and -100% (median, 0.0%) with respect to the initial scores. Immediate skin test reactivity disappeared only in the dogs with a good clinical response. Of 27 dogs treated with an allergen solution, 16 (59.3%) had an improvement of 51% or more. In the placebo group, 5 of 24 dogs (20.8%) reacted this way. There was total remission of the clinical signs in 9 and 4 dogs, respectively. In the dogs in which, after 9 months of hyposensitization, any improvement was observed, the chance for final improvement of more than 51% was calculated as 84%. Discriminant analysis revealed that evaluation of the effect of immunotherapy can be restricted to the 9-month follow-up examination.
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000485:Allergens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000662:veterinary; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D008297:Male; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000662:veterinary
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000485:Allergens