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Cutaneous cytokines and chemokines are involved in the pathogenesis of human and canine atopic dermatitis. The aim of the present study was to discriminate cytokine expression in the ear canals of atopic dogs with otitis, dogs with non-allergic inflammatory otitis (otodectic mange) and healthy non-atopic dogs. The ear canals of nine atopic dogs suffering from non-infected otitis externa (n = 14 ears), 10 healthy dogs suffering from otodectic mange (n = 20 ears) and 21 healthy controls (39 ears) were swabbed. The concentrations of a panel of 13 cytokines and chemokines on the aural surface were measured by multiplex analyses (Milliplex Canine Cytokine Panel). In addition, Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (CADESI)-04 and Otitis Index Score (OTIS3) scores were used to evaluate the overall status of the dogs. The concentration of IL-8 was significantly higher in the ears of atopic dogs and dogs with otodectic mange compared to those of healthy dogs. Significant increases in the levels of IL-10 were also overexpressed in atopic otitis but at lower rates. The concentrations of interleukin(IL)-8 were positively correlated with the OTIS3 hyperplasia score in atopic dogs. Taken together, these results suggest that IL-8 is overexpressed in atopic otitis and otodectic mange and that levels correlate with the otitis severity in atopic dogs.

Background -Conjunctivitis in atopic dogs has already been described yet is rarely observed, and likely underdiagnosed in practice.Objectives -To assay various cytokines in tears and conjunctivae from atopic and normal dogs, and to compare canine atopic dermatitis-associated conjunctivitis with controls.Animals -Ten atopic and ten normal client-owned dogs.Methods and materials -Ocular surfaces were sampled bilaterally in a prospective study, using two different methods. Tear samples were obtained with a sterile swab previously moistened with saline solution (method A). Conjunctival impressions were obtained with a conjunctival impression device (method B). For each sample, the concentrations of a panel of 13 cytokines were measured by multiplex analyses. CADESI-4, pruritus (PS) and conjunctival (CS) scores were determined.Results -Among the measured cytokines, only granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), keratinocyte-derived chemokine (KC)-like and interleukin (IL)-8 were above the limit of quantification in most samples. Absolute amounts of each cytokine were always higher in samples obtained with method A than with method B. GM-CSF amounts were lower in atopic dogs (method A, P=0.02; method B, P=0.0005). KC levels were higher in atopic dogs, yet the differences were not significant. IL-8 amounts were higher in atopic dogs (method A, P=0.0003; method B, P=0.006).Conclusions and clinical relevance -Regardless of the method, these preliminary results suggest an overexpression of IL-8 in conjunctivae and tears of atopic dogs despite subtle conjunctival symptoms. As IL-8 is commonly found in many inflammatory conditions, further studies are needed to determine its specificity in atopic conjunctivitis.

Background—The study aims to assess the efficacy of a permethrin 54.5%-fipronil 6.1%-based spot-on solution in dogs naturally infested with Neotrombicula in an open-label controlled study. Methods—Ten naturally infested dogs received one drop per affected site on day (D) 0, and on D14, the rest of the pipette was applied on the skin between the shoulders. Five dogs served as sentinels. Parasite score (0–3), skin lesions (0–4), and investigator pruritus scale (0–4) were assessed on D0, D1, D14, and D28. Results—No treated dogs developed adverse reactions. Parasite score of sentinel dogs was maintained between 1.8 (D0, D1, and D28) and 2.2 (D14). In treated dogs, D0 parasite score was 2.4. It was significantly reduced from D1 (0.5; p < 0.002) to D28 (0.1; p < 0.002). The lesion score was 2.9 on D0 and D1; it was significantly reduced on D14 (0.6; p < 0.002) and D28 (0.1; p < 0.002). Similarly, investigator pruritus scale (D0, 2.2) scores significantly decreased on D14 (0.4; p < 0.004) and D28 (0.2; p < 0.002). Conclusions—The combination permethrin-fipronil appears to be well-tolerated, rapidly and durably effective in the control of localized canine harvest mite infestation.