title: Evaluation of Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG for the prevention of atopic dermatitis in dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG for the alleviation or prevention of clinical signs of atopic dermatitis (AD) in genetically predisposed dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  2 adult Beagles with severe AD and 16 puppies.
  
  
  METHODS
  The 2 adult Beagles were bred twice, with a year between breedings. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG was administered to the bitch during the second pregnancy and to the puppies of the second litter from 3 weeks to 6 months of age. Both litters were epicutaneously sensitized to Dermatophagoides farinae. Blood samples were collected from puppies every 6 weeks to measure serum titers of allergen-specific IgE. At 6 months of age, all puppies underwent intradermal allergen testing and environmental challenge with D farinae. Clinical signs were scored.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the first litter, at 6 months of age, 7 of 7 puppies were strongly seropositive for IgE against D farinae, 6 had a positive reaction to intradermal testing, and 7 developed severe clinical signs of AD after the environmental challenge. In the second litter, 7 of 9 puppies were seropositive, 3 had a positive reaction to intradermal testing, and 6 developed dermatitis and pruritus after the challenge. The second litter had a significantly lower serum titer of allergen-specific IgE and milder reaction to intradermal testing, compared with the first litter. Clinical scores did not differ between litters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Administration of L rhamnosus GG to puppies appeared to reduce immunologic indicators of AD, although no significant decrease in clinical signs was detected.
authors.affiliation: Blanche Saunders Dermatology Laboratory, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
authors.forename: Rosanna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marsella
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides / Q000276:immunology; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D004032:Diet; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D052201:Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus; D008297:Male; D019936:Probiotics / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D007073:Immunoglobulin E