title: Characterization of pruritus in canine atopic dermatitis, flea bite hypersensitivity and flea infestation and its role in diagnosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In dogs, flea infestation (FI), flea bite hypersensitivity (FBH) and canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) have been mainly characterized by their lesions but never by their pruritus. In clinical practice, many of these dogs exhibit only pruritus.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of pruritus in these dermatoses and their potential usefulness for diagnosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dogs included were selected from the Oniris clinical data. Cases were selected in which the dogs had only one of the three dermatoses diagnosed. The diagnosis of CAD was based on Prélaud's criteria and positive intradermal tests except flea; for FBH by compatible clinical signs and a response to an intradermal test with flea allergen; and for FI by the presence of fleas. Moreover, in each group, other primary pruritic skin diseases were excluded.
  
  
  METHODS
  Location, behavioural manifestations, seasonality and quantification of the pruritus were evaluated. The statistical analysis used chi-squared test with a P-value <0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three hundred and forty-six dogs were analysed, 91 with CAD, 110 FI and 145 FBH. The period (season) of onset was not statistically different either for each dermatosis or among the three dermatoses. Some locations were highly specific for one dermatosis as follows: ventral abdomen/medial surface of thigh (chewing) and radius/carpus/tibia/tarsus (chewing) in FI; back/dorsolumbar area (chewing) and tail (chewing) in FBH; and paws (chewing/licking) and face/neck (rubbing) in CAD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Some features of pruritus could be suggestive of the causal disease, with possible diagnostic value in pruritic dogs.
authors.affiliation: LUNAM, Oniris, Dermatology, parasitology, mycology unit, Nantes, France.
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bruet
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Bourdeau
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Roussel
authors.forename: Latitia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Imparato
authors.forename: Jean-Claude
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Desfontis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology*; D004285:Dogs; D004478:Ectoparasitic Infestations / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011537:Pruritus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005423:Siphonaptera