Investigation of the effects of oclacitinib maleate on clinical improvement and serum cytokine levels in dogs with atopic dermatitis

Abstract

The aim of this study was to present allergens involved in the etiology of atopic dermatitis (AD) in dogs, to determine and classify the clinical severity of the disease using the CADESI-4 and pruritus scores, to investigate changes in serum cytokine levels in dogs with AD and their relationship with clinical findings, and to investigate the effects of oclacitinib maleate on clinical improvement and serum cytokine levels. The material of the study consisted of 20 dogs diagnosed with AD and 10 healthy dogs. CADESI and pVAS scores were obtained from the patients, and blood samples were taken. Hematological analyses, specific allergen tests (polycheck), and ELISA analyses were performed. Oclacitinib maleate (Apoquel, Zoetis) was administered orally to the patient dogs at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg twice a day for 7 days. It was found that the most common allergens involved in the etiology of AD in dogs were house dust mites type 1, house dust mites type 2, and mold fungi, and the mean CADESI and pVAS scores for clinical findings such as pruritus, alopecia, erythema, and lichenification in dogs with AD were 48 and 5.15 respectively. When compared to the control group, an increase in the percentage of eosinophils (p < 0.05) and a decrease in serum IL-2 and IL-4 levels (p < 0.05) were detected. When compared to other groups, it was found that the mean serum IL-4 levels (p < 0.05) were low and IL-13 levels (p < 0.05) were high in the group with severe clinical findings. It was determined that the use of oclacitinib maleate resulted in clinical improvement and caused an increase in the mean serum IL-2 levels (p < 0.05) and a decrease in IL-31 and IL-33 levels (p < 0.05). Oclacitinib maleate (Apoquel, Zoetis) was found to be an effective and reliable drug that can be used in the treatment of the disease, but it was concluded that the duration of use should be extended.