title: Dermatophagoides farinae-specific immunotherapy in atopic dogs with hypersensitivity to multiple allergens: a randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled study.
abstract: A randomised, placebo-controlled, double blind study was conducted on 25 dogs that had atopic dermatitis, together with skin test reactivity and elevated serum IgE to Dermatophagoides farinae (Df) and at least one additional allergen. Dogs were treated with either a Df-restricted immunotherapy solution (n=14) or a placebo (n=11) and evaluated 6 weeks and 3, 5, 7 and 9 months after the initiation of treatment using a clinical scoring system (SASSAD) and pruritus analogue scale scores. The Df-restricted solution and the placebo had an equal effect on both pruritus and the skin manifestations (P>0.05). The results of this study indicate that in dogs with atopic dermatitis based on hypersensitivity to environmental allergens in addition to D. farinae, Df-restricted immunotherapy is insufficient to control the disease. Consequently, a solution for allergen-specific immunotherapy should remain customised.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands. a.willemse@vet.uu.nl
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Willemse
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bardagi
authors.forename: D N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Carlotti
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ferrer
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fondati
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fontaine
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leistra
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Noli
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ordeix
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Scarampella
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schleifer
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sinke
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Roosje
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D040001:Dermatophagoides farinae / Q000276:immunology*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male