Urban environment predisposes dogs and their owners to allergic symptoms

Emma Hakanen,Elina Salmela,Johanna Anturaniemi,Hannes Lohi,Lasse Ruokolainen,Katriina Tiira,Jenni Lehtimäki,Anna Hielm-Björkman

doi:10.1038/s41598-018-19953-3

Emma Hakanen, Elina Salmela + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-19953-3

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Abstract

Our companion-animals, dogs, suffer increasingly from non-communicable diseases, analogous to those common in humans, such as allergic manifestations. In humans, living in rural environments is associated with lower risk of allergic diseases. Our aim was to explore whether a similar pattern can be found in dogs, using a nation-wide survey in Finland (n = 5722). We characterised the land-use around dog’s home at the time of birth as well as around its current home, and described several lifestyle factors. The severity of owner-reported allergic symptoms in dogs was estimated with a comprehensive set of questions, developed by experts of canine dermatology. Also, the prevalence of diagnosed allergies in dog owners was recorded. The results indicate that allergic symptoms are more prevalent in urban environments both in dog owners and in dogs (accounting the effect of dog breed). Several factors related to rural living, such as bigger family size and regular contact with farm animals and other pets, were also protective against allergic symptoms in dogs. Interestingly, allergic dogs were more likely to have allergic owners than healthy dogs were. Therefore, we suggest that the mutual presence of allergic symptoms in both species indicates common underlying causal factors of allergic diseases.

Highlights

Western diet[1] and urbanisation[2] are known to contribute to the increasing epidemic of inflammatory disorders in humans
Dogs suffer from atopic dermatitis and food allergies to humans, whereas allergic symptoms associated with the lower respiratory tract are basically absent in dogs[20]
canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is a genetically predisposed inflammatory and pruritic allergic skin disease with characteristic clinical features[27]. It is associated with elevated allergen-specific immunoglobulin E antibodies (IgE; a common marker of allergies in humans)[28] but the exact role played by IgE and other antibodies in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis is still undetermined[29]

Summary

Introduction

Western diet[1] and urbanisation[2] are known to contribute to the increasing epidemic of inflammatory disorders in humans These factors are thought to be mediated via the host microbiota[3], and can be even interactive in affecting host microbiota and physiology[4]. CAD is a genetically predisposed inflammatory and pruritic allergic skin disease with characteristic clinical features[27]. It is associated with elevated allergen-specific immunoglobulin E antibodies (IgE; a common marker of allergies in humans)[28] but the exact role played by IgE and other antibodies in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis is still undetermined[29]. We tested the concordance of the occurrence of allergy in dogs and their owners

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