Journal Contents - Volume 6, Number 1, 1998
Articles
Basic Science Corner
Parasites as Subverters of Host Immunity: Can They Set Up the
Host for Allergies?
Clinical Corner
Rabies Vaccine-Induced Ischernic Dcrmatitis in a Dog
ARTICLE ABSTRACTS
DIAGNOSIS OF FOOD ALLERGY IN THE NON-SEASONALLY
SYMPTOMATIC DOG USING A NOVEL ANTIGEN, LOW MOLECULARWEIGHT DIET: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY OF 29 CASES
Michael Groh, DVM., Animal Allergy and Dermatology
Clinic, Lee's Summitt, MO
Edward Moser, M.S., V.M.D., DACVN, Nutrition Consultant,
Selinsgrove, PA
Twenty nine dogs exhibiting non-seasonal symptoms
consistent with food allergy were tested by exclusion diet trial,
using a novel, low molecular weight commercial diet. The diet
consisted of pinto beans, oat groats, human-grade prilled
purified fat, hydrolyzed liver and casein, di-methionine, and a
balanced vitamin and mineral profile. Concurrent diseases were
identified and treated prior to, or simultaneously with, the food
exclusion trial. Twenty of the twenty nine dogs responded to the
trial, suggesting that the diet was effective in diagnosing food
allergy.
CLINICAL AND HISTOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF IMMEDIATE AND
DELAYED FLEA ANTIGEN INTRADERMAL SKIN TEXT AND FLEA BITE SITES IN NORMAL AND FLEA ALLERGIC CATS
Lewis DT, Ginn PE,
Kunkly, GA
University of Florida, Box 100126, Gainesville, FL 32610-0126
Supported by a grant from the
University of Florida Division of Sponsored Research
Flea allergic cats may develop a 24 and
48 hour delayed flea antigen IDST reaction which is evident on
histological examination of skin test sites. Flea allergic cats
may develop an immediate urticarial reaction at the site of flea
bites which may progress over 48 hours to an erosion or ulcer
characterized histologically by epidermal necrosis, marked
eosinophilic and lymphocytic superficial and deep perivascular
dermatitis, similar to a lesion of miliary dermatitis.
ERYTHEMA MULTIFORME, STEVENS-JOHNSON SYNDROME, AND
TOXIC EPIDERMAL NECROLYSIS IN THE DOG: clinical classification, drug exposure, and
histopathological correlations
Anne C. Hinn, Thierry Olivry, Pamela B. Luther, Andrea G. Cannon
and Julie A. Yager
Erythema multiforme (EM),
Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN),
and the SJS-TEN overlap syndrome are uncommon dermatological
diseases that affect humans and dogs. Distinguishing the
diseases, in the canine species, often has been difficult because
of the lack of agreement on clinical signs, histopathological
lesions and underlying causes.
The objectives of the present study were to compare causative
drug exposure and cutaneous microscopical lesions in 46 canine
cases of EM minor and major, SJS, overlap syndrome and TEN. A
clinical diagnosis was given to each canine case based on an
international consensus classification adopted in human
dermatology. A drug exposure score was attributed, independently,
to each case. Skin biopsy sections were reviewed, in a blinded
manner, to document the presence of epithelial and dermal
mononuclear inflammation, and epithelial necrosis or apoptosis.
Our results demonstrate that, while pre-existing drug
administration seems implicated in canine cases suffering from
SJS, TEN and the overlap syndrome, cases afflicted with EM are
rarely associated with the previous administration of a
medication. Additionally, when histopathological parameters of
inflammation, necrosis, or apoptosis were collated for each
disease subset, a considerable overlap was observed. The latter
results imply that microscopical examination cannot reliably
distinguish between the different clinical entities. The use of
histopathological results therefore should be restricted to
support the diagnosis of the EM-TEN spectrum, and not to
establish nosological distinctions.
FOOD ALLERGY IN DOGS AND CATS: A REVIEW
Edmund J. Rosser Jr., DVM, Diplomate
ACVD
The diagnosis of food allergy in dogs and cats is first based
on one's index of suspicion after considering several historical
features and clinical signs. The purpose of this article will be
to discuss the history and various clinical presentations of dogs
and cats with food allergy, the methods used to establish the
diagnosis, and the long term management of the patient. The
emphasis of this review article will be on the dermatological
signs of food allergy in dogs and cats. As the awareness of this
important allergic skin disease has expanded, the frequency in
which it is diagnosed continues to increase.
RESULTS OF INTRADERMAL ALLERGY TESTING AND TREAT MENT
BY HYPOSENSITIZATION OF 64 HORSES WITH CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE, URTICARIA,
HEADSHAKING, AND/OR REACTIVE AIRWAY DISEASE.
Nicholas J. Tallarico, DVM, Cathe Montesano Tallarico, DVM
Sixty-four horses with various manifiestations of allergic
disease were found reactive to offending allergens by
intradermal. skin testing. They were treated with a
hyposensitization. vaccine made using equal volumes of the
allergens to which they reacted significantly. The horses were
observed for improvement in clinical signs and for possible side
effects. Forty-four horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD), fifteen horses with chronic urticaria, five
horses with chronic headshaking, and eight horses with reactive
airway disease (RAD) were studied. Significant amelioration of
clinical signs was noted in all groups within six months of
treatment, except for the headshakers. We conclude from our
results that intradermal skin testing and hyposensitization is an
effective method for treating COPD, chronic urticaria, and RAD of
allergic etiology. Hyposensitization may be useful adjunctive
therapy in the managment of head-shaking; however, more patients
need to be evaluated.
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