Cyclosporin: applications in small animal dermatology

Abstract

Cyclosporin has been increasingly used for the treatment of skin diseases in small animals. Reported uses include the treatment of atopy, cutaneous lupus erythematosus, feline acquired alopecia resembling pseudopelade of humans, pemphigus erythematosus, pemphigus foliaceus, perianal fistulae and sebaceous adenitis. In addition, cyclosporin has been used anecdotally for several other skin diseases. Few side effects have been noted at doses therapeutic for dermatologic diseases. Current suggestions for monitoring, and the value of trough cyclosporin serum concentrations for prediction of toxicity and efficacy are discussed.

A Comparison of Combination Therapy (Cyclosporine plus Prednisolone) with Sole Prednisolone Therapy in 7 Dogs with Necrotizing Meningoencephalitis

“…Cyclosporine is an important drug in human medicine and was initially used to produce immunosuppression in organ transplant recipients [11]. Recently this cyclic oligopeptide, which is able to block the transcription of cytokine genes in activated T cells, is being increasingly used in veterinary medicine [4].…”

“…Recently this cyclic oligopeptide, which is able to block the transcription of cytokine genes in activated T cells, is being increasingly used in veterinary medicine [4]. In veterinary medicine, cyclosporine has been reported to be effective for the treatment of a number of dermatologic diseases and ophthalmologic problems [4,10,11]. Recent reports [1,4] suggested that the cyclosporine is the effective therapeutic options for GME in dogs.…”

“…No major adverse effects were associated with long-term cyclosporine administration, except for mild dermatologic changes and transient lymphopenia [1,2]. In one study [11], at daily doses of 20-30 mg/kg, dogs may uncommonly experience gingival hyperplasia and papillomatosis, vomiting, diarrhea, bacterial cystitis, bacterial skin infections, anorexia, hirsuitism, involuntary shaking, nephropathy, bone marrow suppression and lymphoplasmatoid dermatosis. However, adverse reactions in dogs to cyclosporine at doses 5 mg/kg/day appear to be rare in same study [11].…”

“…In one study [11], at daily doses of 20-30 mg/kg, dogs may uncommonly experience gingival hyperplasia and papillomatosis, vomiting, diarrhea, bacterial cystitis, bacterial skin infections, anorexia, hirsuitism, involuntary shaking, nephropathy, bone marrow suppression and lymphoplasmatoid dermatosis. However, adverse reactions in dogs to cyclosporine at doses 5 mg/kg/day appear to be rare in same study [11]. In the present report, side effects were not noted after longterm cyclosporine administration.…”

The role of surgery in the management of canine anal furunculosis. A review of the literature and a retrospective evaluation of treatment by surgical resection in 51 dogs

“…Although the exact molecular mechanisms of its initiation have not been fully elucidated, many recent studies have described the positive response of AF to immunosuppressive therapies such as prednisolone, cyclosporine and azathioprine, making an immune-mediated cause highly probable (Harkin et al 1996;Griffi ths et al 1999;Tisdall et al 1999;Misseghers et al 2000;Mouatt 2002;Patricelli et al 2002;Doust et al 2003;Robson and Burton 2003;O'Neill et al 2004;Hardie et al 2005). For this reason, conservative treatment strategies for the medical management of AF, such as systemic and/or topical antibiotics, topical antiseptics, hair clipping, faecal softeners, hydrotherapy and dietary modifi cation (e.g.…”