Aeroallergens detected in dogs with atopic dermatitis in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis is a widespread dermatological disease of dogs, which is caused by the production of immunoglobulin E and accompanied by dermatological lesions. One of the ways to treat this disease is allergen-specific immunotherapy. The purpose of the study was to identify the main causative aeroallergens in dogs with atopic dermatitis and to analyze obtained results (both in relation to individual allergens and their groups). The study, which was conducted on the basis of a veterinary clinic in St. Petersburg, involved 72 dogs that were previously diagnosed with atopic dermatitis. Animals underwent intradermal injection of 29 allergens solutions. The test results were documented and statistically processed using the MS Excel 2007 computer program. The most significant groups of causative aeroallergens were dust mites and plants, which accounted for 55.5% and 29.0% of all reactions to allergens, respectively. The most significant groups of causative aeroallergens were dust mites and plants, which accounted for 55.5% and 29.0% of all reactions to allergens, respectively. The most frequently reported individual allergens were: Lepidoglyphus destructor (storage mites; 80%), Dermatophagoides farina (house dust mites; 76.9%) and Acarus siro (grain mites; 60%). On average, one animal had a reaction to 4.6 allergens (from 1 to 14); 7 dogs had no reaction to any of the allergens. Sensitivity to such plants as Cynodon dactylon (Bermuda grass), Ligustrum (Privet) and Elytrigia repens (Couch grass) was found least of all.