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

Abstract

Background and Aim: Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is a hereditary susceptibility to the development of allergic symptoms in response to repeated exposure to generally innocuous substances known as "allergens." Allergens can be plants, animals, mold, mites, or milk. At present, serological enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) kits are used for immunoglobulin E (IgE)-specific allergen detection due to their simplicity and accuracy. This study aimed to detect allergens in dogs with CAD and determine how they differ according to season, breed, age, and sex using a serological test in six provinces in South Korea for 12 months. This will allow practitioners to easily understand the risk factors related to CAD. Materials and Methods: In this study, IgE allergen-specific ELISA kits were used. The allergens were detected in serum samples collected from different regions considering season, sex, breed, and age. Allergens were divided into the following Ten categories: 1. Dairy, yeast, and egg, 2. grains, 3. vegetables, 4. meat, 5. seafood, 6. animals, 7. mold, 8. insects, 9. mites, and 10. trees. Results: The percentage of allergens detected in males (54.8%) was higher than that of females (45.2%); 54.2% of allergens occurred in 3-year-old dogs or older. Moreover, regarding frequency, 65.6% of overall allergens occur during autumn; Chungcheongnam-do and Jeollabuk-do showed 20.7% and 20.9%, respectively. Additionally, among allergens categories, notable allergen occurrence was as follows: 38.3% corn; 28.7% potatoes; 22.7% duck; 24.4%,codfish; 31.2% animal wool; 95.6% Aspergillus fumigatus; 31.9% flea; 41.8% oak; and 25.0% sheep's sorrel grass. Conclusion: This study showcases the frequency of 60 allergens in six provinces detected in dogs with CAD; most likely from food or the environment using serological ELISA kits. Environmental sensitizer results can be considered for humans suffering from allergies to avoid a similar environment. A large-scale study can be performed to evaluate the allergens in the state. However, neither a skin test nor feed analysis was conducted, which is a limitation of this study.

Investigation of the relationship between atopic dermatitis of dogs and intestinal epithelial damage

“…Allergen-specific IgE concentrations were found to be higher in environmental mite-induced atopy (Pucheu-Haston et al, 2015). Adam et al (2022) and Chaudhary et al (2019) found significant increases in serum IgE concentrations against environmental allergens in dogs with atopic dermatitis. In the present study, serum IgE concentrations of the atopic dogs were statistically increased (p < 0.012), compared to the healthy dogs (Table 2).…”

“…Canine atopic dermatitis is defined as an allergic skin disease characterised by cutaneous erythema, oedema, erosions and moderate‐to‐severe pruritus. In atopic dermatitis, lesions occur on the face, concave surface of the auricle, lower abdomen, axilla, inguinal region, perineal region and distal extremities (Adam et al., 2022 ; Bizikova et al., 2015 ). Atopy is a type 1 hypersensitivity reaction of the body with immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies formed in the skin or in the blood circulation against environmental antigens (Maden et al, 2013 ; Olivry & Baumer, 2015 ; Pucheu‐Haston et al., 2015 ).…”

Update on the role of genetic factors, environmental factors and allergens in canine atopic dermatitis

“…In another study based on IDT in atopic dogs the most common positive reaction in 67.3% of dogs was observed with a Rhizopus mix 67 . The positivity rate, based on ASIS in another study of 101 dogs with AD, was 44.8% for Pullularia and 39.6% for Alternaria , 54 while in another study Aspergillus fumigatus was the most commonly detected mould in 39.6% of cases 66 . Although these studies show a frequent positivity rate for moulds, the prevalence seems to be much more variable, likely related to geographical and climatic factors 48 …”

“…67 The positivity rate, based on ASIS in another study of 101 dogs with AD, was 44.8% for Pullularia and 39.6% for Alternaria, 54 while in another study Aspergillus fumigatus was the most commonly detected mould in 39.6% of cases. 66 Although these studies show a frequent positivity rate for moulds, the prevalence seems to be much more variable, likely related to geographical and climatic factors. 48 Malassezia pachydermatis is part of the normal cutaneous microbiota of dogs, yet Malassezia allergen can trigger a hypersensitivity reaction in atopic dogs.…”

“…The most common plant-based allergens in one study from South Korea were ash, sage, Johnson grass and plantain, 54 while in another study, also from South Korea, oak, white ash, sheep's sorrel, mugwort and Bermuda grass were the most commonly found positive reaction in ASIS. 66 The different outcomes between these two studies may be related to the use of different serological test methods, the season and maybe drug use when the serum was collected. It has been hypothesised that allergen test positivity may depend on specific seasons.…”