Abstract
BackgroundAllergic pruritic diseases are increasingly common in dogs. This group of conditions hampers life quality as pruritus progressively interferes with normal behaviours. Therefore, new treatment modalities for canine allergic pruritic diseases are necessary. While novel drugs have recently reached the market, there is still the need for other therapeutic approaches. Some dogs are refractory even to the newer compounds, and cost is also an important issue for these. Older therapeutic modalities are only moderately successful or have considerable secondary effects, as is the case with glucocorticoids.ObjectivesReport on the use of recombinant human interferon‐α14 (rhIFN‐α14) for the treatment of canine allergic pruritus. Following the experience with a similar compound in the Japanese market, it was expected that rhIFN‐α14 could alter the Th1/Th2 disbalance that drives these diseases.MethodsHere, we present an uncontrolled trial in which eight dogs with clinical diagnosis of allergic pruritus were treated with rhIFN‐α14, either orally or via subcutaneous injections. Skin condition, microbiota and anti‐interferon antibody levels were assessed.ResultsThe parenteral use of interferon induced hypersensitivity in two of the three dogs in which it was used. The oral administration was consistently safe and could reduce signs of the allergic condition in three of the five treated animals. Treatment also altered the skin microbiota, as verified by next‐generation sequencing.ConclusionThe present results indicate that rhIFN‐α14 is a viable candidate for the treatment of canine allergic pruritus. Future controlled studies are needed, and the oral route is indicated for further trials.
Highlights
Canine allergic pruritic diseases are a common condition in dogs, characterised by dermatosis with intense pruritus and inflammation
Dog 8 was not considered in the efficacy analyses as it left the trial following a single dose of interferon
Allergic pruritic diseases of the dog skin are characterised by a deviation of the immune responses towards a T helper type 2 phenotype (Th2)
Summary
Canine allergic pruritic diseases are a common condition in dogs, characterised by dermatosis with intense pruritus and inflammation. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the primary variety of allergic skin conditions.[1] The most common clinical manifestations are dry skin, erythema and self-induced excoriations, commonly at the scalp, face, neck and flexural surfaces of the extremities.[2] These allergic pruritic diseases – and AD in particular – occur due to excessive immune responses of the CD4 Th2 ’phenotype’. These are usually due to genetic predisposition, but environmental factors play a role. Future controlled studies are needed, and the oral route is indicated for further trials
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