Comparison of demographic data, disease severity and response to treatment, between dogs with atopic dermatitis and atopic‐like dermatitis: a retrospective study

Abstract

Background Limited information is available describing the features of canine atopic‐like dermatitis (ALD) compared with atopic dermatitis (AD). Objectives To compare demographic data, disease severity and response to therapy between ALD and AD dogs. Animals Two hundred and fifty‐three atopic dogs with intradermal and serum allergen‐specific IgE test results were selected retrospectively. Methods and materials Dogs were enrolled into the ALD group if both IgE tests were negative and into the AD group if at least one test was positive. Demographic data, pruritus level and number of body sites affected before and during therapy, in addition to maintenance therapy protocols, were compared between groups. Results There were 216 (85.38%) dogs in the AD group and 37 (14.62%) in the ALD group. The soft‐coated wheaten terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, English bulldog and Labrador retriever were over‐represented in the AD group. No significant differences between the groups were noted regarding the other demographic variables evaluated. There were no differences in the mean pruritus scores and number of affected body sites at the first visit or during treatment. Furthermore, no significant differences between the groups were noted for the maintenance treatment scores and reduction of pruritus level and number of body sites affected during treatment. Conclusions and clinical significance The soft‐coated wheaten terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, English bulldog and Labrador retriever were over‐represented in the AD group. No significant differences in the other demographic data and clinical features were noted between dogs with ALD and AD in the present study.

A proposed medication score for long‐term trials of treatment of canine atopic dermatitis sensu lato

“…However, current evidence does not suggest that a different treatment response is seen in dogs with atopic-like dermatitis versus dogs with AD sensu stricto. 80 Also, if studies that may have included dogs with AD due to adverse food reactions had been disqualified in the present study, none of the proposed MSs would have been changed but a MS could not have been assigned to oral oclacitinib.…”

Immunopathogenesis of the feline atopic syndrome

“…Similarly, there exists a subset of dogs with AD in which allergen-specific IgE is not demonstrable, either by IDT or serologythose affected with the so-called atopiclike dermatitis. 72,73 Overall, our knowledge base, in terms of IgE involvement, is far behind that pertaining to the dogindeed we are probably at the same state that we were 20 years ago when the association of IgE with Langerhans cells in the dog was shown. 74 There is no doubt that more carefully controlled studies are required, with well-defined disease entities subjected to rigorous immunological investigations.…”

“…Secondly, the atopic diseases in man are not invariably associated with detectable IgE antibody, with the intrinsic subset of both AD and asthma having no such association. Similarly, there exists a subset of dogs with AD in which allergen‐specific IgE is not demonstrable, either by IDT or serology – those affected with the so‐called atopic‐like dermatitis 72,73 …”

Atopic Dermatitis in Domestic Animals: What Our Current Understanding Is and How This Applies to Clinical Practice

“…Importantly, there are some patients that look clinically indistinguishable from our classic atopic dogs but for whom environmental triggers cannot be identified, at least with the current tests available for use. For that subset of patients, we tend to use the terms “intrinsic atopic dermatitis or atopic-like disease” [ 27 ]. These cases represent an additional challenge as we are not able to use allergen-specific immunotherapy, and we are limited in only considering symptomatic therapies.…”