Determination of allergens involved in canine atopic dermatitis in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is a common skin disease and numerous factors participate in forming clinical features of this disease. Intradermal tests (IDT) enabled determination of allergen(s) involved in CAD. Allergens that can be related with CAD are numerous and depend on geographical region. The purpose of this study was to identify the most frequent allergen(s) associated with CAD to which dogs with atopic dermatitis (AD) most often react with hypersensitive reaction. IDT were performed with 15 allergens on fifty dogs with clinical signs of AD. Mixed breed (n= 10), Pekingese (n= 9), Labrador Retriever (n= 6) and American Staffordshire Terriers (n= 5) were the most common breeds among 50 tested dogs. The majority of dogs showed clinical signs of AD at age of less than three years. Clinical signs appeared seasonally in the spring and summer. Pruritus was present in 74% cases. Polysensitization was noted in 96% of tested dogs, while 4% of tested dogs were negative to used allergens. The highest percentage of allergen positive reactions was to house dust (78%,) and house dust mite (68%) (p<0.01, respectively).