Background -Tests for allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) are used to select allergens for immunotherapy in atopic dogs. Antibodies against cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants (anti-CCD IgE) have been identified in serum samples of atopic dogs. Their presence in humans is a known cause of clinically irrelevant polysensitization to plant allergens.Objectives -To compare the results of an intradermal test (IDT) and a serum test for allergen-specific IgE, with and without blocking anti-CCD IgE, before testing in dogs.Animals -Thirty-one privately owned dogs with atopic dermatitis.Methods and materials -Dogs were prospectively skin tested and their serum samples were analysed for anti-CCD IgE. An Fc-e receptor-based serum test for allergen-specific IgE was performed with and without blocking anti-CCD IgE.Results -In dogs with negative anti-CCD IgE samples, the agreement between the results of the serum test and the IDT was substantial (j = 0.71). Dogs with positive anti-CCD IgE samples (38.7%) showed no agreement between serum and skin testing (j = À0.35), blocking anti-CCD IgE in those samples resulted in a fair agreement (j = 0.43). Anti-CCD IgE positive sera had multiple positive results for grass and weed allergens, and blocking decreased them markedly.Conclusion and clinical importance -Intradermal testing agreed best with serum testing in dogs with no detectable anti-CCD IgE. Sera containing anti-CCD IgE had no agreement with IDT. Test agreement was improved by blocking the anti-CCD IgE. Apparent serum test polysensitization to plant allergens was associated with anti-CCD IgE.

The purpose of this review article is to give an overview of atopic dermatitis in companion animals and of recent developments including knowledge on immunological background, novel treatment options and difficulties in disease management. The prevalence of hypersensitivities seems to be increasing. The pathogenetic mechanisms are not fully understood, yet multiple gene abnormalities and altered immunological processes are involved. In dogs and cats, the diagnosis of atopic dermatitis is based on history, clinical examination and exclusion of other differential diagnoses. Intradermal testing or testing for serum allergen-specific Immunoglobulin E is only used to identify allergens for inclusion in the extract for allergen immunotherapy. Symptomatic therapy includes glucocorticoids, ciclosporin, essential fatty acids and antihistamines. A selective janus kinase 1 inhibitor and a caninized monoclonal interleukin-31 antibody are the newest options for symptomatic treatment, although longterm effects still need to be assessed. The chronic and often severe nature of the disease, the costly diagnostic workup, frequent clinical flares and lifelong treatment are challenging for owners, pets and veterinarians. Patience and excellent communication skills are needed to achieve a good owner compliance and satisfactory clinical outcome for the animal.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most common skin diseases in small animal practice. Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is the only curative treatment for the disease, and oral, subcutaneous and intralymphatic administration of allergens are commonly employed. Objectives: To compare the efficacy of AIT following an induction phase with intralymphatic injections (ILIT) or rush immunotherapy (RIT). Animals: Fifty privately owned dogs with AD. Materials and Methods:In a double-blinded study, dogs were randomly assigned to either four monthly ILIT of allergen extract or RIT with five injections administered subcutaneously at hourly intervals on the first day. They were assessed by validated scores; Canine Atopic Dermatitis Lesion Index (CADLI) and pruritus Visual Analog Scale (PVAS) at the beginning of the study and after 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. The latter were performed daily for 7 days before each revisit. Medication scores and a total clinical score were calculated and compared between each group and time point. Results: There was no significant difference in CADLI and PVAS scores, or CADLI and medication scores between groups at any of the time points. A significant improvement with both ILIT and RIT was seen in total and pruritus scores, respectively. An owner global assessment of good-to-excellent treatment efficacy was seen in 40% of the dogs; total scores improved by 27% and 35% in the RIT and ILIT group, respectively. Adverse effects were not seen. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Induction of AIT can be conducted either as RIT or ILIT with no loss in efficacy.

Zusammenfassung Gegenstand und Ziel: Essbare Insekten (wie Mehlwürmer, Heuschrecken und Grillen) enthalten hohe Mengen an Energie, Protein, essenziellen Fettsäuren sowie Mengen- und Spurenelementen und stellen eine qualitativ hochwertige Nahrungsquelle dar. Sie sind als neuartige Proteinquellen für Futtermittelallergiker interessant und können auch in ökologischer und ethischer Hinsicht sinnvoll sein. Ziel dieser Fallserie war, die Wirkung eines neuen kommerziell erhältlichen Insektenprotein-basierten Trockenfutters auf die Symptomatik dieser Hunde mittels Canine Atopic Dermatitis Lesion Index (CADLI), Pruritus Visual Analogue Scale (PVAS) und Fellqualitätsscore zu evaluieren. Material und Methoden: In diese Studie wurden 20 Hunde mit atopischer Dermatitis aufgrund einer diagnostizierten Futtermittelunverträglichkeit eingeschlossen. Die Hunde erhielten 2 Wochen lang ausschließlich dieses Futter. Ergebnisse: Die Studie beendeten 15 der 20 Hunde. Bei 12 dieser Tiere wurde eine Verbesserung der Läsionen festgestellt, zwei entwickelten eine geringgradige Verschlechterung der Hautveränderungen und ein Patient präsentierte sich klinisch unverändert. Der Juckreiz verringerte sich bei acht Patienten, blieb bei vier Hunden unverändert und verstärkte sich bei drei Tieren (in zwei Fällen geringgradig um durchschnittlich 1,5 Juckreizscore-Punkte, bei einem Patienten dramatisch um 8 Juckreizscore-Punkte). Die bei 14 Hunden beurteilte Fellqualität verbesserte sich bei sechs Tieren und änderte sich nicht bei acht Hunden. Signifikante Unterschiede ergaben sich hinsichtlich der Verbesserung des Scores für die Hautläsionen (Wilcoxon- Test, p = 0,007) und der Fellqualität (Wilcoxon-Test, p = 0,01), nicht aber für den Juckreiz-Score (p = 0,53). Die Palatabilität des Futters war sehr gut. Außer bei einem Patienten galt dies auch für die Verträglichkeit. Schlussfolgerung und klinische Relevanz: Basierend auf diesen Ergebnissen ist das verwendete Insekten-basierte Trockenfutter eine interessante Fütterungsalternative bei Hunden mit Futtermittelunverträglichkeit.

Background -Serum testing for allergen-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E is commonly employed to identify allergens used for allergen-specific immunotherapy in dogs, yet the reliability of results has been a matter of debate.Objective -The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility of serum tests for environmental allergenspecific IgE in three European laboratories.Animals/Methods -Serum was obtained from 33 client-owned dogs diagnosed with atopic dermatitis, divided into three aliquots and sent to the laboratories under different names. Two aliquots were sent simultaneously to one of the laboratories on the first day; the third sample was then sent to the same laboratory on the subsequent day. The laboratory for each patient was chosen according to a predetermined randomization list. The agreement between different samples from the same dog for each of the laboratories was calculated with a Cohen's Kappa test. Spearman's rank coefficients (r sp ) as well as the coefficients of variation (CV) additionally were calculated.Results -The intra-and interassay agreements for laboratories A, B and C were 0.79 and 0.75, 0.92 and 0.90, and 0.90 and 0.85, respectively. The CVs were 18.92% and 22.95%, 14.43% and 18.79%, and 15.38% and 18.75% (respectively) and the r sp 0.73 and 0.68, 0.95 and 0.92, and 0.82 and 0.74 (respectively). Conclusion and clinical relevance -The differences in reproducibility between laboratories complicate test interpretation and underline the importance of interpreting results of serum testing for allergen-specific IgE in the context of the patient's clinical history.