Serum antibodies toMalasseziayeasts in canine atopic dermatitis

Abstract

AbstractSignificant numbers of humans with atopic dermatitis developMalassezia‐specific IgE. Immediate skin‐test reactivity toMalasseziahas been demonstrated in atopic dogs. The aim of this study was to compare the serum IgG and IgE response toMalasseziain atopic dogs with and without clinical evidence ofMalasseziadermatitis and/or otitis, nonatopic dogs with clinical evidence ofMalasseziadermatitis and/or otitis and healthy dogs. Cytology was used to diagnose clinically significantMalasseziadermatitis and otitis. Contact plate cultures confirmed the validity of this technique. Reproducible enzyme‐linked immunosorbant assays forMalassezia‐specific IgG and IgE in canine serum were established. Atopic dogs had significantly higher serum IgG and IgE levels than either healthy dogs or nonatopic dogs with clinical evidence ofMalasseziadermatitis and/or otitis. There was no significant difference in IgG and IgE levels between atopic dogs with and without clinical evidence ofMalasseziadermatitis and/or otitis. The implications of these findings in the pathogenesis and management of canine atopic dermatitis are discussed.