Serological responses to food antigens in normal and atopic dogs, and dogs with gastrointestinal disease

Abstract

In human atopic disease with concurrent food allergy there may be significant increases in serum IgE. Serological methods have not been advocated for suspected food allergy in dogs. The aim of this study was to investigate humeral responses to food antigens in dogs. Serum IgG and IgE antibodies were measured by ELISA against food antigens using polyclonal antidog IgG and IgE reagents. Antigens included beef, chicken, pork, lamb, chicken, turkey, white fish, whole egg, wheat, soybean, barley, rice, maize corn, potato, yeast and cow’s milk. Three groups were used: normal dogs (n = 40 for IgE and n = 91 for IgG), dogs with atopic dermatitis (n = 91), and dogs with four types of gastrointestinal disease (n = 64 for IgE and n = 72 for IgG). The gastrointestinal (GI) subgroups included bacterial overgrowth, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), food‐responsive and other GI diseases, but statistically significant differences were not detected between them. Statistically significant differences were detected for IgE data for all antigens, and for all except egg and yeast for IgG, using χ2‐test and analysis of variance, respectively. Compared with other groups, atopic dogs had more IgE and dogs with GI disease had more IgG. The relationship of antigen responses for pooled data was analysed using principle component analysis and a cluster plot. Some clustering of variables was apparent for both IgE and IgG. For example for IgG, dog response to chicken and turkey was similar. Using multinomial regression, a predictive model for disease type was formulated with the IgG and IgE response as predictor variables. This study was supported, in part, by TLC Pet Allergy Testing Ltd.