Canine atopic dermatitis: a retrospective study of 169 cases examined at the University of California, Davis, 1992-1998. Part II. Response to hyposensitization.
One hundred and sixty-nine dogs were diagnosed with atopic dermatitis, and treated with hyposensitization for at least 1 year based on the results of either intradermal skin tests (IDST) or enzyme-linked immunosorbant serum assays (ELISA). Excellent (i.e. hyposensitization alone controlled clinical signs), good (> 50% improvement), moderate (< 50% improvement) and no (clinical signs were unchanged) responses were seen in 19.5, 32.5, 20.1 and 27.8%, respectively. Age of onset, age when treatment was initiated or the duration of clinical signs had no influence on response to hyposensitization. Dogs having concurrent flea allergy dermatitis were statistically more likely to respond better than dogs with concurrent food allergies. Although not statistically significant, there were trends for Golden Retriever and male dogs to respond better than other breeds and female dogs, respectively. Dogs having more than 21 positive reactions in allergy tests and treated with more than 21 allergens had lower response scores, and a longer time course before achieving beneficial response. Lower response scores were seen in dogs having positive reactions to cultivated plants, grasses, trees or insects. There was no difference in response to hyposensitization whether based on IDST or ELISA results.
Zur
Gila
G
Koret Veterinary Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, PO Box 12 Rehovot 76100, Israel. zurgila@agri.huji.ac.il
White
Stephen D
SD
Ihrke
Peter J
PJ
Kass
Philip H
PH
Toebe
Nina
N
D000818:Animals; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D001947:Breeding; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004285:Dogs; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity; D006023:Glycoproteins; D007428:Intradermal Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D011996:Records / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D006023:Glycoproteins