The role of Ambrosia artemisiifolia allergen in canine atopic dermatitis

Abstract

Pollens from Ambrosia species have a strong allergenic potential and they represent a complex mixture of at least 52 different antigens. This weed is widespread in Serbia and has a long pollination period (appr. 100 days). Pollens are present in very high concentrations during the pollination season (up to 300 pg/m3 of air). Fifty dogs with a clinical diagnosis of canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) and positive intradermal skin test (IDST) reactions to other environmental allergens were included in this study along with 30 dogs without clinical signs of CAD. Both groups were tested intradermally with Ambrosia artemisiifolia extract in concentration of 1000 PNU/mL (provided by ''Institute of virology, vaccines and sera - Torlak''). We have found that Ambrosia extract was second most common allergen to yield positive intradermal test reactions just after house dust mites. The positive reaction of IDST was observed in 66% of the atopic dogs and in 10% of clinically healthy dogs. Dogs that had a positive reaction on intradermal skin test to Ambrosia pollens, mostly showed secondary skin lesions on the pads and perioral skin. In 88% of cases, Malassezia pachydermatis have been isolated from the skin in an increased number and 64% of dogs had otitis externa. These results indicate, that allergens from Ambrosia artemisifolia are of great importance in the etiopathogenesis of atopic dermatitis in dogs originating from the Belgrade region.