Evaluation of the clinical and allergen specific serum immunoglobulin E responses to oral challenge with cornstarch, corn, soy and a soy hydrolysate diet in dogs with spontaneous food allergy

Abstract

Fourteen dogs with known clinical hypersensitivity to soy and corn were maintained on a limited antigen duck and rice diet until cutaneous manifestations of pruritus were minimal (78 days). Sequential oral challenges with cornstarch, corn and soy were then performed. Subsequently, the dogs were fed a diet containing hydrolysed soy protein and cornstarch. Throughout the study period the dogs were examined for cutaneous manifestations of pruritus and, additionally, serum was collected for measurement of allergen-specific and total immunoglobulin (Ig)E concentrations. Intradermal testing with food antigens was performed prior to entry into the study and after 83 days. A statistically significant clinical improvement was measured between days 0 and 83. Significant pruritus was induced after oral challenge with cornstarch, corn and soy (P = 0.04, 0.002, 0.01, respectively) but not with the hydrolysed diet (P = 0.5). The positive predictive value of the skin test for soy and corn allergy was reduced after feeding a soy and corn free diet. Although increases in soy and corn-specific serum IgE concentrations were measured in individual dogs post challenge they were not statistically significant and could not be used to predict clinical hypersensitivity.

Characterisation of T cell phenotypes, cytokines and transcription factors in the skin of dogs with cutaneous adverse food reactions

“…In AD, inflammation is characterised by an influx of CD4 + and CD8 + T cells in the lesional skin (Olivry et al, 1997;Sinke et al, 1997) and a mixed cytokine profile with predominant expression of IL-6, TARC, IL-4 and IL-13 genes in the early stage followed by IFN-c, IL-12 and IL-18 later on (Olivry et al, 1999;Nuttall et al, 2002;Marsella et al, 2006). Whereas most dogs with AD have circulating allergen-specific IgE (DeBoer and Hillier, 2001), there is controversial evidence for a similar reaction phenomenon in dogs with spontaneous manifestations of CAFRs (Jackson et al, 2003;Pucheu-Haston et al, 2008;Puigdemont et al, 2006). Increasing our insight in the immunopathogenesis of CAFRs may facilitate the development of novel modalities to treat them.…”

Animal Models of Allergic Diseases

“…On the contrary, the Maltese/Beagle colony spontaneously developed food allergy (pruritus, diarrhea, and/or vomiting) to cow's milk, dairy products, corn, and soy without any experimental sensitization [104]. In all three models, the investigators were able to show clinical response to oral challenge between 1 h and 12 h, a higher production of total and allergen-specific serum IgE, and positive intradermal test [104,117,118]. Using the canine model for food allergy, the investigators proposed the hypothesis that in genetically predisposed children an early infection may stimulate the immune system to respond to "bystander" antigens more aggressively than healthy individuals.…”

“…On dogs, it is easier performing repeated endoscopic analysis, high IgE dogs are easy to identify, and the large size of immune organs along with larger blood volume facilitate certain analyses [104]. To date, three canine models have been well validated [117][118][119]. All the models include mixed breed atopic dogs.…”

“…All the models include mixed breed atopic dogs. Two models are constituted by the same colony of inbred, high IgE producing, atopic spaniel/basenji dogs [117,118], whereas the other one is constituted by a colony of Maltese/Beagles atopic dogs [104,120]. The first generation of the spaniel/basenji model was developed by subcutaneous injection of wheat, cow's milk and beef extract showing signs of vomiting, diarrhea, or more rarely constipation [118].…”

“…The first generation of the spaniel/basenji model was developed by subcutaneous injection of wheat, cow's milk and beef extract showing signs of vomiting, diarrhea, or more rarely constipation [118]. The second generation was instead sensitized by subcutaneous injection of peanut, walnut, Brazil nut, wealth or barley developing vomiting and lethargy after oral challenge [117]. On the contrary, the Maltese/Beagle colony spontaneously developed food allergy (pruritus, diarrhea, and/or vomiting) to cow's milk, dairy products, corn, and soy without any experimental sensitization [104].…”