The canine model of dietary hypersensitivity

Abstract

IgE-mediated dietary hypersensitivity affects approximately 1 % of the canine population. There are no breed associations and £50 % of the patients are aged < 1 year at presentation. The most common causative allergens are beef, chicken, milk, eggs, maize, wheat and soyabean. Affected dogs generally display cutaneous disease and 10-15 % of the patients may have concurrent alimentary involvement. Diagnosis is currently based on dietary restriction followed by provocation. Procedures for the detection of serum allergen-specific IgE and IgG antibodies are widely available, but these tests correlate poorly with clinical presentation and dietary testing. Recent studies have demonstrated the allergen specificity of IgE antibodies by immunoblotting and have described blood lymphocyte proliferative responses to food allergens. In addition to investigations of spontaneously-arising dietary hypersensitivity, it has also proved possible to study this disorder experimentally. Small colonies of dogs sensitive to particular dietary proteins have been used to study clinical and serological responses to allergen challenge. Hypersensitivity has been experimentally induced in dogs of an atopic phenotype by repeated subcutaneous injection of alum-adjuvanted dietary allergen during neonatal life. These models have been used to trial a range of modified protein or hydrolysate diets. The dog provides a unique large-animal model for investigation of the immunopathogenesis of human dietary hypersensitivity. The dog is closely related genetically to man and shares environmental disease triggers with man. Spontaneously arising canine dietary hypersensitivity is a good clinical mimic of the human disease, and ability to therapeutically manipulate this adverse response in the dog might lead to benefits for human patients. Dog: Food allergy

Food‐specific serumIgEandIgGreactivity in dogs with and without skin disease: lack of correlation between laboratories

“…It is generally accepted that, although the pathomechanisms underlying CAFR in dogs remain to be determined accurately, it is likely that hypersensitivity or intolerance processes are involved . The presence of serum IgE antibodies in some affected dogs, as reported in the present and previous studies, supports the concept of allergic sensitization and immediate hypersensitivity in at least a proportion of dogs with CAFR . Unfortunately, serological tests are not likely to yield useful results in cases of food intolerance because such responses are thought not to be mediated by serum antibodies.…”

“…5,[17][18][19]30,31 The presence of serum IgE antibodies in some affected dogs, as reported in the present and previous studies, supports the concept of allergic sensitization and immediate hypersensitivity in at least a proportion of dogs with CAFR. 32,33 Unfortunately, serological tests are not likely to yield useful results in cases of food intolerance because such responses are thought not to be mediated by serum antibodies. Although it has been suggested that food intolerance is more frequent in dogs than true hypersensitivity, 33 defining the relative frequencies might guide further decision-making about the utility of serological testing in veterinary practice.…”

Triggers, risk factors and clinico‐pathological features of urticaria in dogs – a prospective observational study of 24 cases

“…mastocytosis, asthma). 10,23,24 In dogs, the triggers of urticaria and/ or anaphylaxis that are supported by original studies or case reports are vaccines, 25 anaesthetics, 26,27 food, 28,29 venoms, [30][31][32] drugs, 1,17 glucocorticoids, 33 transfusions, 34 plants 35 and radiocontrast media. 36 Some rare causes such as heat, exercise, sunlight, dermatographism, estrous, intestinal parasites, allergen-specific immunotherapy and intradermal testing are only anecdotally reported in veterinary textbooks.…”

Triggers, risk factors and clinico‐pathological features of urticaria in dogs – a prospective observational study of 24 cases

“…mastocytosis, asthma) . In dogs, the triggers of urticaria and/or anaphylaxis that are supported by original studies or case reports are vaccines, anaesthetics, food, venoms, drugs, glucocorticoids, transfusions, plants and radiocontrast media . Some rare causes such as heat, exercise, sunlight, dermatographism, estrous, intestinal parasites, allergen‐specific immunotherapy and intradermal testing are only anecdotally reported in veterinary textbooks .…”