Lymphocyte Blastogenic Responses to Inciting Food Allergens in Dogs with Food Hypersensitivity

Abstract

Lymphocyte blastogenic responses against food allergens in dogs with food hypersensitivity were evaluated in this study. Eleven dogs with food hypersensitivity, based on food elimination and oral food provocation tests and allergic responses to food allergens, were examined by various tests such as intradermal testing, antigen-specific IgE testing, and lymphocyte blastogenic responses. The number and kinds of food allergens identified as positive by these tests were compared with the offending food allergens that were found in an oral food provocation test. In 9 (82%) of the 11 dogs with food hypersensitivity, there was close agreement for positive allergens between the results of lymphocyte blastogenic responses and oral food provocation test; however, there was little agreement for intradermal and IgE testing of the positive allergens with those of the oral food provocation test (11% and 31%, respectively). In the 9 dogs, the stimulation indices of lymphocyte blastogenic responses increased to 2.0-10.1 upon food provocation but decreased significantly to 0.7-1.4 upon feeding the elimination diet until clinical signs disappeared. These results indicate that lymphocyte blastogenic responses may fluctuate because of exposure to offending food allergens in dogs with food hypersensitivity. Lymphocytes reactive to food allergens may play an important role in the pathogenesis of food hypersensitivity in dogs.

Identification of Bovine Serum Albumin as an IgE-Reactive Beef Component in a Dog with Food Hypersensitivity against Beef

“…In the two previous reports, 60% and 73% of dogs with food hypersensitivity were shown to develop their clinical sings after oral provocation of beef, respectively [1,3]. Thus, beef can be considered as one of the common food ingredients associated with food hypersensitivity in dogs.Previous studies reported positive results in antigen-specific serum IgE measurement, intradermal testing (IDT), and antigen-specific histamine release assay to food antigens in dogs with food hypersensitivity [1][2][3], indicating that clinical manifestations of food hypersensitivity can be mediated by type I hypersensitivity in dogs that have IgE directed to food antigens in their sera. However, the antigen recognition by IgE has not been well characterized.…”

“…69(8): 865-867, 2007 Food hypersensitivity induces nonseasonal pruritic skin diseases and gastrointestinal signs such as diarrhea and vomiting in dogs. Food ingredients such as beef, cow's milk, soy, corn, wheat, chicken, and chicken eggs have been reported to cause food hypersensitivity in dogs [1,3]. In the two previous reports, 60% and 73% of dogs with food hypersensitivity were shown to develop their clinical sings after oral provocation of beef, respectively [1,3].…”

“…Food ingredients such as beef, cow's milk, soy, corn, wheat, chicken, and chicken eggs have been reported to cause food hypersensitivity in dogs [1,3]. In the two previous reports, 60% and 73% of dogs with food hypersensitivity were shown to develop their clinical sings after oral provocation of beef, respectively [1,3]. Thus, beef can be considered as one of the common food ingredients associated with food hypersensitivity in dogs.…”

“…Previous studies reported positive results in antigen-specific serum IgE measurement, intradermal testing (IDT), and antigen-specific histamine release assay to food antigens in dogs with food hypersensitivity [1][2][3], indicating that clinical manifestations of food hypersensitivity can be mediated by type I hypersensitivity in dogs that have IgE directed to food antigens in their sera. However, the antigen recognition by IgE has not been well characterized.…”

“…The diagnosis in the dog was based on the results of a food elimination trial using a commercially available hypoallergenic diet (Prescription Diet Canine z/d ULTRA Allergen Free, Hill's Pet Products, Topeka, KS) and the following food challenge testing using beef conducted as described previously [1,2]. This dog was shown to have a high level of serum IgE directed to beef [46 laboratory units (LU)] by commercially available antigenspecific dog IgE tests (Topscreen and Immunodot tests, CMG Laboratories, Fribourg, Switzerland).…”