Volume 63 (2013) Issue: 2013 No#4

Evaluation of criteria for diagnosis of atopic dermatitis and detection of allergen specific IgE antibodies in dogs allergic to Ambrosia artemisiifolia pollen

Author(s): Milčić-Matić Natalija, Ognjenović Jana, Burazer Lidija, Blagojević G, Popović N, Lazarević M, Stanić-Vučinić Dragana

Keywords:Ambrosia artemisiifolia, canine atopic dermatitis, immunoglobulin E (IgE), ragweed pollen

Common ragweed (Ambrosia atremisiifolia) is one of the most frequent causes of pollen-induced allergic reactions both in humans and dogs. It has not been defined yet, what is the major allergen(s) to which most dogs allergic to ragweed show a positive result on intradermal skin test (IDST). In the present study sensitization to Ambrosia artemisiifolia pollen allergens in dogs with atopic dermatitis was examined with both in vivo and in vitro tests, including IDST and serum allergen specific IgE test. Detection of specific-IgE antibodies against ragweed allergens by immunoblotting in the sera of allergic dogs was optimized, as well. Dogs that were positive, as judged by IDST reactions to ragweed pollen allergens, also had alergen specific IgE antibodies in their sera. Results indicate that major allergens of A. artemisifolia pollen in dogs are Amb a 1 and Amb a 2. Further characterization of ragweed allergens is needed before they could potentially be used in intradermal testing or allergen immunotherapy in affected dogs. Also, we evaluated new Favrots diagnostic criteria for canine atopic dermatitis in dogs allergic to Ambrosia atremisiifolia pollen. It might be concluded that proposed criteria are of great assistance for seting up suspected diagnosis of canine atopic dermatitis, after ruling out other pruritic dermatoses.