Displaying results 1 - 10 of 68 items found.
(Web Page; Mon Oct 05 11:46:00 CDT 2015)
Description: In this podcast we hear from Dr. Natasha Olby, professor of neurology and Dr. Thierry Olivry, professor of immunedermatology at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine discuss their CHF-funded research of atopic dermatitis, a chronic allergic skin disease. Drs. Olby and Olivry are researching the gene or genes responsible for this disease, hoping for better treatments, earlier intervention, and possibly a cure.
This podcast was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust, a KeyBank Trust.
2. Hyposensitizing Dogs to Atopic Dermatitis
(Web Page; Tue Jul 26 13:06:00 CDT 2016)
Description:
Up to 10 percent of dogs are affected by atopic dermatitis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease caused by an inappropriate immune reaction to environmental allergens that are mainly absorbed through the skin, orally or from breathing.
Cracking the code to successfully manage the environmental allergens that ailed “Henry,” a gentle, loving chocolate Labrador Retriever, turned into a strategic operation against a plethora of pollens, molds, dust mites, and dander to which he was sensitized.
3. Discovery of Novel Biomarkers of Canine Atopic Dermatitis through Lipid Profiling
(Web Page; Tue Oct 05 09:56:00 CDT 2021)
Description:
Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is a common allergic skin disease of dogs with a strong genetic basis. CAD can severely affect the health and well-being of dogs and current diagnosis of CAD requires time-consuming and expensive procedures for the owner. Furthermore, the molecular mechanisms underlying this condition are not well understood. Evidence from human studies suggests that several variants of atopic dermatitis (AD) exist with different mechanisms and responses to treatment. Therefore, new approaches to identify molecular markers that can help with better diagnosis and management are warranted. CAD and human AD are associated with changes in the composition of lipids in the epidermis which may precede the inflammation or result from the inflammation. The investigators will analyze the lipid composition of the epidermis and blood of healthy dogs in comparison to dogs with CAD using a novel analytical method developed by their interdisciplinary team. The results of this work could lead to new, minimally-invasive tests for the diagnosis of CAD and for the prediction and monitoring of the response of CAD patients to treatment.
4. Identification of the Genes That Confer Risk for Atopic Dermatitis
(Web Page; Tue May 09 13:58:00 CDT 2023)
Description:
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common, chronic, allergic skin condition that causes severe itching. It has been estimated that approximately 8% of all dogs that present to their veterinarian do so because of clinical signs due to AD. Affected dogs scratch and rub their skin, causing damage to the skin and frequently causing bacterial or yeast infections. Treatment focuses on appropriate antibiotic therapy of infections, and controlling the allergic response, but AD cannot be cured and so owners and their pets face a lifelong struggle to control the signs. There is evidence that AD is a hereditary problem, and it is extremely common in the West Highland White Terrier (WHWT) in which it was estimated to affect 15% of all dogs. Dr. Olby will use banked DNA from dogs diagnosed with AD to perform a genome wide association study and identify chromosomal regions associated with the disease. The long-term goal is to develop genetic tests that can be used by breeders to decrease the prevalence of this condition.
(Web Page; Fri Aug 16 11:20:00 CDT 2019)
Description: In this study, researchers found different function and appearance in mast cells of dogs with atopic dermatitis (AD). This finding supports the hypothesis that there is a genetic basis for AD that can be defined with further work, though the genetic component of the issue is most assuredly complex. AD in dogs causes chronically relapsing itchy, inflamed skin, resulting in a miserable dog. The study provided the basis for continued research that will help scientists understand the mechanisms of the increased mast cell activity, with the eventual goal of developing a test that can be given to puppies to determine their risk of developing allergic dermatitis in the future. Such a test could help breeders make decisions about the breeding potential of puppies, and arm owners with information that could help them prevent or slow the onset of allergies.
(Web Page; Mon May 18 11:31:00 CDT 2020)
Description:
Fungi are established agents of disease in dogs and are thought to exacerbate inflammatory and allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis (environmental allergies). In order to fully understand the role of fungi in these diseases we must first have a comprehensive picture of the commensal fungi living on the skin of dogs and then begin to decipher how these communities change when disease is present. DNA sequencing technologies can provide a more accurate status of commensal fungi residing on canine skin than what has been previously shown with traditional culture based methods. Dr. Suchodolski proposes to use next-generation DNA sequencing to investigate the fungal microbiome, or mycobiome, of healthy canine skin. They will then compare the mycobiome of healthy canine skin to that of dogs with allergic skin disease. This will provide insight into the involvement of fungi in atopic dermatitis as well as reveal fungal genera that may serve as opportunistic pathogens and potential targets for therapeutics in this chronic skin disease that affects both the canine pets who suffer from severe pruritus (itch) and their owners who must provide long-term and costly care.
7. Exploring Biomarkers for Atopic Dermatitis
(Web Page; Thu Apr 14 08:39:00 CDT 2022)
Description: Measuring cell signaling proteins may be useful to monitor disease progression in dogs with atopic dermatitis.
8. Targeting Immune Cells as a Novel Treatment for Canine Atopic Dermatitis
(Web Page; Wed Aug 21 09:05:00 CDT 2019)
Description:
Atopic dermatitis is a frustrating, chronically relapsing allergic skin disease in dogs. Treatment options are limited; many dogs require prolonged administration of steroids or other drugs. The only specific cure is skin testing and desensitization treatments over prolonged periods of time, managed by skilled veterinarians. It is now known that the underlying cause of atopic dermatitis in dogs is impaired immune responsiveness, specifically caused by a type of white blood cell call a T-cell. In laboratory mice, treatments aimed at rebalancing T-cell function have been shown to minimize clinical atopic dermatitis. In a previous CHF sponsored study, Dr. Gingerich showed that balancing of the T cell response resulted in long lasting (60-90 days) improvement in itchiness and other signs of atopy, consistent with restoration of normal immune responsiveness. The objective of this continuing research is to complete clinical trials to verify the efficacy and safety of T cell-focused treatment in dogs with atopic dermatitis. Laboratory tests will also be conducted on serum samples from these dogs to confirm the immunological effects of T cell-focused treatment and to develop new diagnostic tests for the disease.
9. Development of a Diagnostic Method for Canine Atopic Dermatitis
(Web Page; Wed Aug 21 09:05:00 CDT 2019)
Description:
Background: Atopic dermatitis, an autoimmune disease in which dogs develop hypersensitivity to environmental or food allergens, is a common and frustrating canine skin condition. There are few effective therapies and many dogs require prolonged administration of steroids or other immunosuppressive drugs. The only specific cure is skin testing and desensitization treatments over prolonged periods of time, managed by skilled veterinarians. Palliative treatments, including newer immunosuppressive drugs such as cyclosporine are only partially effective. It is now known that dogs with atopic dermatitis have specific immunological imbalances compared to normal dogs. A new vaccine has been developed that may correct the underlying immunological imbalance, and is showing encouraging results in ongoing clinical trials. Unfortunately, there is at present no convenient, cost-effective way of determining whether or not a particular dog has that immunological imbalance or whether the dog would likely respond to the new vaccine. Fortunately, research has shown that animals and humans with autoimmune disease have serum antibodies against their own T-cell receptors (TCR). This hyper-reactivity can be detected with simple blood tests. However, the tests must be specifically designed for each species (dog, human, etc). Objective: This project aims to develop simple blood tests to detect whether or not a particular dog is hyper-reactive to its own immune cells, which is characteristic of atopic dermatitis. The researchers will also develop screening tests for dogs and use these tests to determine response to treatment.
10. Fecal Microbiota Transplantation for Treatment of Canine Atopic Dermatitis
(Web Page; Thu Feb 08 09:08:00 CST 2024)
Description:
Atopic dermatitis is a common inflammatory and itchy skin disease, constituting a global issue that affects millions of people and dogs world-wide. The pathogenesis of this disease is known to be multifactorial and not only consisting of skin barrier dysfunction, but also with immunological dysregulation and skin microbiota changes playing a central role.In humans, establishment of the gut microbiota in early life influences the development of allergies such as atopic dermatitis in children.
In a recent small-scale study, the researchers could show that allergic dogs have a significantly different gut microbiota when compared to healthy dogs, making interventions targeting the gut microbiota very promising. Therefore, this study’s aim is to prove the preliminary findings in a larger population and test if fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is efficacious for treatment of canine atopic dermatitis in the West Highland White Terrier breed. If the researchers show that FMT, a yet novel etiological treatment approach, improves the clinical course of the disease, millions of dogs and their owners world-wide could benefit from this research. If the hypothesis is confirmed, the next logical step would be to test if FMT can even prevent disease development. That would represent an immense advantage for patients at risk, especially in breeds with the highest prevalence such as West Highland White Terriers.
Learn how you can participate in this research!
Help Future Generations of Dogs
Participate in canine health research by providing samples or by enrolling in a clinical trial. Samples are needed from healthy dogs and dogs affected by specific diseases.
