High allergen-specific serum immunoglobulinE levels in nonatopic West Highland white terriers

Human and canine atopic dermatitis (AD) share an association with IgE specific to environmental allergens, but few studies have evaluated serum allergen-specific IgE in nonatopic dogs. This study compared serum allergen-specific IgE levels in 30 atopic and 18 nonatopic West Highland white terriers. Atopic dermatitis was confirmed using standard criteria. Nonatopic dogs were over 5years of age and had no clinical signs or history of AD. Serum allergen-specific IgE levels were measured with Allercept registered IgE ELISAs using a 48-allergen Australian panel. Positive reactions were defined as greater than or equal to 150ELISA absorbance units. Intradermal tests were performed in 16 atopic dogs, either at the time of or at various times prior to serum collection. In atopic dogs, the most common positive ELISA and intradermal test results were to Dermatophagoides farinae (11 of 30 dogs), but there were no statistically significant correlations between results from the two methods for any allergen. In nonatopic dogs, multiple high-positive ELISA reactions were reported to 45 of 48 allergens, most commonly D.farinae and Tyrophagus putrescentiae (17 of 18 dogs each). Positive ELISA results in nonatopic dogs were statistically significantly higher than those in atopic dogs for 44 of 48 allergens, including two allergens (D.farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) commonly regarded as significant in canine AD. In conclusion, positive allergen-specific IgE ELISAs were not specific for canine AD, and high allergen-specific IgE levels were seen in nonatopic dogs. The clinical significance of this and whether it characterizes a protective phenotype is unclear.Original Abstract: La dermatite atopique canine et humaine (AD) est associee avec des IgE specifiques d'allergenes environnementaux mais peu d'etudes ont porte sur les IgE seriques specifiques d'allergenes chez les chiens non-atopiques. Cette etude compare les taux d'IgE seriques specifiques d'allergenes chez 30 atopiques et 18 non-atopiques West Highland white terriers (WHWTs). L'AD a ete confirmee par des criteres standard. Les chiens non-atopiques avaient plus de cinq ans et ne presentaient aucun signe clinique ou anamnestique de AD. Les taux d'IgE seriques specifiques d'allergenes ont ete mesures par une gamme australienne de 48 allergenes (Allercept registered IgE ELISAs). Une reaction ELISA greater than or equal to 150 unites d'absorbance (EA) etait consideree comme positive. Des tests intradermiques ont