Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
A case of presumed autoimmune subepidermal blistering dermatosis treated with oclacitinib
- Journal:
- Veterinary Dermatology
- Year:
- 2017
- Authors:
- Aymeric, Estelle & Bensignor, Emmanuel
- Affiliation:
- Clinique Vétérinaire Avenue 19 mars 1962 13390 Auriol France · France
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old German shepherd mix was brought to the vet because it suddenly developed painful blisters and sores on its face, mouth, sides, and legs. The vet diagnosed the dog with a serious skin condition called autoimmune subepidermal blistering dermatosis, which means the dog's immune system was mistakenly attacking its own skin. Initially, the dog was treated with a steroid called prednisolone, but it caused some serious side effects and the dog's symptoms returned when the dose was lowered. The vet then switched to a medication called oclacitinib, which helped clear up the skin issues completely within a month, and the dog remained healthy without any relapse for a full year. This suggests that oclacitinib could be a helpful treatment for similar skin problems in dogs, but more research is needed to confirm this.
Abstract
BackgroundAutoimmune subepidermal blistering dermatoses (ASBD) are a group of severe autoimmune dermatoses rarely described in dogs. Their treatment usually necessitates the long term use of medications potentially associated with adverse effects. In humans, Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitors have been demonstrated to be of value in some cases of autoimmune skin disease.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo evaluate oral oclacitinib, a JAK‐1 predominant inhibitor, in one case of ASBD in a dog.Case reportA 5‐year‐old German shepherd cross‐bred dog was presented with an acute onset of ulcerative and blistering skin lesions on the face, oral cavity, lateral trunk and limbs. Associated systemic signs were not seen. A clinical diagnosis of ASBD was supported by the finding of subepidermal clefts and visualization of the epidermal basement membrane zone at the bottom of the clefts on histopathological examination. Treatment was initiated with prednisolone at 1.2 mg/kg twice daily. Because of severe adverse effects and relapse, when the prednisolone dose was reduced, oclacitinib therapy was administered at 0.5 mg/kg twice a day. A complete resolution of clinical signs was noted after one month and no relapse was observed after twelve months of treatment. No adverse effects were reported.ConclusionThe use of oclacitinib may be useful for the treatment of some autoimmune skin diseases in dogs. Further controlled studies are needed to confirm our findings.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://doi.org/10.1111/vde.12458