Influence of allergen-specific immunotherapy on allergen-specific IgG subclasses in dogs with atopic dermatitis

Abstract

Canine atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most common pruritic skin diseases in dogs and is diagnosed based on compatible history, clinical signs and exclusion of other pruritic skin diseases. Allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) is widely used to treat AD but the precise mechanism of action is unknown. The aims of our study were to investigate the influence of ASIT on levels of Dermatophagoides farinae (D. farinae) specific IgG (D. farinae-IgG) subclasses and to explore whether changes in IgG subclasses are associated with the efficacy of ASIT. Sera from 98 dogs were collected before and during ASIT (duration of at least 2 years) with D. farinae. All dogs had serum IgE specific for D. f..