Studies of serum total immunoglobulin E concentrations in atopic and non‐atopic dogs

Abstract

The serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) concentrations of two groups of atopic dogs and three groups of non-atopic dogs were compared. There was a wide range of concentrations with a high degree of overlap between the groups. The serum total IgE concentrations of a group of 15 non-atopic racing greyhounds were significantly higher than those of all the other groups. Atopic and non-atopic dogs receiving stringent parasite control treatments could not be differentiated on the basis of their serum total IgE concentrations. In the non-atopic dogs there was no correlation between their serum total IgE concentrations and the number of allergen-specific positive results obtained in an ELISA, or between their serum total IgE concentrations and their age.

Total and Toxocara canis larval excretory/secretory antigen‐ and allergen‐specific IgE in atopic and non‐atopic dogs

“…The present study demonstrated significantly higher total IgE concentrations in non‐atopic compared to atopic dogs; this has been demonstrated previously only in two other studies . Increased IgE levels in healthy dogs could be the result of two things: the presence of anti‐IgE antibodies in atopic dogs, which could interfere with the detection of IgE due to the formation of antibody complexes; or the presence of helminth infections and/or helminth‐specific antibodies protecting dogs against the development of atopy.…”

“…There are intrinsic and extrinsic factors that reportedly influence total or allergen‐specific IgE concentrations in the sera of dogs, although not all studies support these findings . The present study did not demonstrate any correlation between age, gender, vaccination status or recent desensitization and total IgE concentrations.…”

Review: The role of antibodies, autoantigens and food allergens in canine atopic dermatitis

“…Several studies show no correlation of total IgE with AD in spontaneously allergic dogs . Clinically normal dogs may even have higher serum total IgE than atopic dogs . In two studies, atopic status did not correlate with total serum IgE, which was more closely associated with other factors, including breed and neutering status .…”

“…Clinically normal dogs may even have higher serum total IgE than atopic dogs . In two studies, atopic status did not correlate with total serum IgE, which was more closely associated with other factors, including breed and neutering status . In one of these studies, greyhounds had higher serum total IgE compared with atopic or healthy dogs; these dogs were routinely treated with anthelmintics but were routinely exposed to fleas .…”

“…In two studies, atopic status did not correlate with total serum IgE, which was more closely associated with other factors, including breed and neutering status . In one of these studies, greyhounds had higher serum total IgE compared with atopic or healthy dogs; these dogs were routinely treated with anthelmintics but were routinely exposed to fleas . In the other study, golden retriever dogs were more likely to have both elevated total and elevated allergen‐specific IgE than Labrador retriever dogs, while neutering was associated with lower IgE levels in both breeds …”