Atopic Dermatitis in Domestic Animals: What Our Current Understanding Is and How This Applies to Clinical Practice

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis is a clinical syndrome that affects both people and animals. Dogs closely mimic the complexity of the human skin disease, and much progress has been made in recent years in terms of our understanding of the role of skin impairment and the identification of new treatments. Cats and horses also develop atopic syndromes which include both cutaneous and respiratory signs, yet studies in these species are lagging. It is now recognized that atopic dermatitis is not a single disease but a multifaceted clinical syndrome with different pathways in various subgroups of patients. Appreciating this complexity is clinically relevant as we develop more targeted treatments which may work well in some patients but not in others. Different phenotypes of atopic dermatitis have been described in dogs, and it is possible that phenotypes related to breed and age may exist in other animals similar to how they are described in people. The awareness of different mechanisms of disease leads to the desire to correlate different phenotypes with specific biomarkers and responses to treatment. In this review, the current understanding and updated information on atopic syndrome in animals are described, highlighting opportunities for further studies in the future.

Detecting common allergens in dogs with atopic dermatitis in South Korean Provinces using a serological immunoglobulin E-specific allergen test

“…Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is an immunoinflammatory cutaneous disease that causes itching (pruritis), swollen spots, and elevated dark gray patches on the paws, neck, ear, mouth, tail, armpit, thighs, and other sites [1,2]. Several owners observed that dogs with CAD start rubbing against objects, scratching, and biting their feet [3].…”

Enhanced In Vitro Expression of Filaggrin and Antimicrobial Peptides Following Application of Glycosaminoglycans and a Sphingomyelin-Rich Lipid Extract

“…In the past, CAD was considered a histamine-driven type I hypersensitivity triggered by inhalant allergens, with IgE being a key player in the pathogenesis. Nowadays, however, it is seen as a very complex multifactorial syndrome, and it is well established that the skin barrier plays a key role [ 5 , 41 ]. That is why targeting the skin barrier and aiming at restoring it seems like an adequate treatment approach.…”

Snail Mucus Filtrate Reduces Inflammation in Canine Progenitor Epidermal Keratinocytes (CPEK)

“…In particular, dogs reflect the complexity of human disease; in fact, in these animals, atopic dermatitis has become more common since the animals have acquired the same lifestyles as the owners, for example increased exposure to clean indoor environments and increased consumption of processed foods. All of these new behaviors have contributed to increasing the risk of developing allergic diseases [ 5 , 6 ]. Given the characteristics of the disease, the impact on quality of life of both dogs and owners is evident, in terms of impact on health, well-being and the human-animal bond [ 7 , 8 ].…”