No abstract

To compare the efficacy, tolerability and safety of a generic formulation of ciclosporin for human beings with prednisone in the treatment of canine atopic dermatitis), human generic ciclosporin A (hgCsA) (5 mg/kg daily) and prednisone (1 mg/kg daily for seven days, followed by 1 mg/kg every second day) were administered to 13 and seven dogs with atopic dermatitis, respectively, for 42 days. Skin changes were assessed using a modified canine atopic dermatitis extent and severity index (mCADESI-01) and a pruritus intensity scale system. The in vitro functional capacity of phagocytic cells was assessed using the tetrazolium reductase activity and zymosan-stimulated tetrazolium reductase activity tests, as well as measurements of the percentage phagocytic activity and the ingestion capacity of phagocytic cells. Haematological and biochemical parameters were also monitored. There was a greater than or equal to 50 per cent reduction from the baseline in mCADESI-01 scores in 84.6 and 100 per cent of dogs, and a greater than or equal to 50 per cent reduction from the baseline in pruritus scores in 76.9 and 85.7 per cent of dogs, treated with hgCsA and prednisone, respectively. No important adverse physical, haematological or biochemical effects occurred with either drug and no statistically significant changes were detected in any of the four tests assessing the functional activity of phagocytes. The generic formulation of ciclosporin was effective in reducing the severity of physical signs of canine atopic dermatitis and was well tolerated.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration and skin pH in normal cats. Twenty shorthaired European cats of both sexes were examined in the study. Measurements were taken from five different sites: the lumbar region, the axillary fossa, the inguinal region, the ventral abdominal region and the left thoracic region. In each of the regions, TEWL, skin hydration and skin pH were measured. The highest TEWL value was observed in the axillary fossa (18.22g/h/m(2)) and the lowest in the lumbar region (10.53g/h/m(2)). The highest skin hydration was found in the inguinal region (18.29CU) and the lowest in the lumbar region (4.62CU). The highest skin pH was observed in the inguinal region (6.64) and the lowest in the lumbar region (6.39). Statistically significant differences in TEWL were observed between the lumbar region and the left side of the thorax region (P=0.016), the axillary fossa (P=0.0004), the ventral region (P=0.005), and the inguinal region (P=0.009). There were significant differences in skin hydration between the lumbar region and the left thorax (P=0.000003), the axillary fossa (P=0.002), the ventral abdomen (P=0.03), and the inguinal region (P=0.0003) as well as between the thorax and the ventral abdomen (P=0.005). TEWL was higher in females (15g/h/m(2)) than in males (4.57g/h/m(2)). Skin hydration was higher in females (13.89CU) than in males (12.28CU). Significant differences were not found between males and females for TEWL and skin hydration. Skin pH was higher in males (6.94) than in females (6.54), which was significant (P=0.004).

The purpose of this study was to evaluate transepidermal water loss, skin hydration and skin pH in normal ponies. Sixteen ponies of both sexes were examined in the study. Measurements were taken from seven different sites: the neck region, the shoulder, thorax, lumbar, inguinal, lip region and the auricle. In each of the regions transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration and skin pH were measured. For transepidermal water loss, the lowest values were observed in the lumbar region (9.71g/hm2), while the highest values were observed in the lip region (22.35 g/hm2). In the case of skin hydration the lowest values were observed for the thorax region (2.13 CU), and the highest for the lip region (41.81 CU). For skin pH, the lowest results were obtained in the lumbar region (6.93), and the highest in the lip region (7.96).

The results indicate that it may be possible to use measurement of TEWL to assess the severity of skin lesions, but a positive correlation was found in only five of 10 body regions examined.

The present study was designed to asses specific IgE towards environment allergens in 42 healthy horses. Determination of this immunoglobulin in serum serve as diagnostic tools in allergic diseases to improve efficacy of the treatment and proper allergen selection to specific immunotherapy. Serum levels of allergen specific IgE were measured with equine monoclonal antibody, using 15 individual and 5 mix allergens in North European Panel. The study revealed season dependent increased levels of allergen specific IgE in normal horses. It is noteworthy that healthy horses show high percentage of positive reactions, most commonly towards to domestic mites D. farinae (80%), D. pteronyssinus (35.71%) and storage mites T. putrenscentiae (42.86%), Acarus siro (40.48%). These allergens play an important role in equine, canine and feline atopic dermatitis. We also demonstrated high IgE levels in the group of horse specific insect allergens. Tabanus sp. (35.71%), Culicoides sp. (28.57%) and Simulium sp. (26.19%) were the most frequent insect positive reaction allergens. No positive reactions in all groups of allergens were found in winter season, low and merely detectable levels of antibodies have been found relating to D. farianae and T. putrescentiae allergen. We observed elevated mould-IgE levels in horses that live in stables, while outdoor living horses showed very low levels. Amongst all positive reactions we observed only weak and moderate reactions but no strong positive reactions were found. No significant differences were observed between three breeds of horses with the exception of moulds and D. pteronyssinus allergens.

Non-invasive methods of skin condition assessment include, among others, the evaluation of transepidermal water loss (TEWL). The aim of the study was to examine whether TEWL values depend on horse breed. The study was conducted on four breeds: "Felin" ponies (FP) (n=16), Polish koniks (PK) (n=15), Polish cold-blooded horses (PcbH) (n=11) and Wielkopolska horses (WH) (n=12). It was found that horse breed influences TEWL values. In the neck region, statistically significant differences were found between PK and FP (p=0.006), and PK and WH (p=0.0005). In the lumbar region, there were statistically significant differences between FP and PK (p=0.0009), FP and PcbH (p=0.0016) as well as between PK and WH (p=0.000037), and PcbH and WH (p=0.0006). In the inguinal region statistically significant differences were found between FP and PK (p=0.0003), FP and PcbH (p=0.0005), PK and WH (p=0.009) and PcbH and WH (p=0.006). In the lip region statistically significant differences were observed between FP and PK (p=0.013) as well as between PK and PcbH (p=0.029) and PK and WH (p=0.009). In the examination of TEWL animal breed should be taken into consideration. The non-significant differences found in three of the examined body regions may suggest that these regions are the most adequate for TEWL assessment.

Atopic dermatitis is a common allergic skin disease in dogs. Monitoring the progress of treatment and the assessment of the severity of disease symptoms are crucial elements of the treatment procedure. One of the common means of assessing the severity of the clinical signs of the disease is the CADESI 03. Research studies have pointed to a possibility of assessing the severity of skin lesions by means of measuring biophysical skin parameters such as TEWL, skin hydration and erythema intensity. The aim of the study was the assessment of changes in TEWL and CADESI values measured in ten different body regions during non-specific anti-pruritus treatment. The examination was performed on ten dogs with atopic dermatitis (age from 2.5 years to 7 years, mean age 3.8 years). The measurements were performed in the following body regions: the lumbar region, the right axillary fossa, the right inguinal region, the ventral abdominal region, the right lateral thorax region, the internal surface of the auricle, interdigital region of the right forelimb, cheek, bridge of nose and the lateral site of antebrachum. A statistically significant decrease in CADESI values was reported starting from the second week of treatment. In the case of the mean TEWL values, a fall was observed after one week of treatment in the ventral abdominal region and the interdigital region, after two weeks of treatment in the axillary fossa and the inguinal region, and after three weeks in the cheek and the lateral thorax region. There was no statistically significant decrease in TEWL values in the course of treatment in four other regions.