Displaying results 11 - 20 of 68 items found.
(Web Page; Wed Aug 21 09:05:00 CDT 2019)
Description: The purpose of this proposal is to provide funding to complete an ongoing clinical trial on the efficacy and safety of T-Cell receptor (TCR) peptide treatment of dogs with atopic dermatitis. 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 immunosuppressive drugs. The only specific cure is skin testing and desensitization treatments by skilled veterinarians over prolonged periods of time. Palliative treatments and newer immunosuppressive drugs such as cyclosporine are effective under carefully managed conditions. It is now known that the underlying cause of atopic dermatitis in dogs is impaired immune responsiveness, specifically T-cell imbalance. In laboratory mice, TCR peptide treatment consistently rebalances T-cells and restores normal immunity. In dogs with atopic dermatitis, previous CHFsponsored studies showed that TCR peptide treatment resulted in long lasting (60-90 days) improvement in itchiness and other signs of the disease, consistent with restoration of normal immune responsiveness. Furthermore, dogs with atopic dermatitis were found to have 16 fold higher anti-TCR antibody activity compared to normal dogs, suggesting new diagnostic tests. Based on results of these pilot trials, a larger randomized controlled trial has been initiated in dogs with atopic dermatitis treated with TCR peptides or placebo. Interim trial results are promising and show the mean clinical scores improved significantly in the TCR peptide group but not in placebo controls.
12. Heritability of Atopic Dermatitis in West Highland White Terriers
(Web Page; Fri Aug 16 10:20:00 CDT 2019)
Description: In dogs, atopic dermatitis (AD) is a very common chronic allergic skin disease that results in severe itching and skin lesions following self-trauma, impairing the quality of life of affected dogs. Atopic dermatitis has a high frequency of occurrence in several dog breeds, and it is especially common in West Highland White Terriers. We intend to collect clinical data, pedigree information and blood samples from Westies affected with AD and from their normal family members to determine the mode of transmission of this disease. Genomic DNA will be extracted from blood samples and stored. In the future, we intend to link the AD trait to a specific chromosomal region of the canine genome. Examination of corresponding regions in human and mouse genomes will result in identification of likely candidate genes. Later studies will evaluate the linkage of AD with candidate genes, with the purpose of identifying the mutation underlying AD in this breed. Results of these studies should permit the identification of puppies carrying the disease before lesions occur, thus allowing elimination of this trait in Westies.
13. Intralymphatic Immunotherapy for the Treatment of Canine Atopic Dermatitis
(Web Page; Wed Jul 08 15:15:00 CDT 2020)
Description:
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a genetically predisposed inflammatory skin condition affecting approximately 10% of dogs globally and is probably the most prevalent skin disease in all canines. Affected dogs manifest with itchy skin and ears and secondary infections. Clinical features are associated with IgE antibodies produced against indoor/outdoor environmental allergens. Breeds such as Boxers, Terriers, Retrievers, and Bulldogs are predisposed. Current treatment options include antihistamines, corticosteroids, cyclosporine, oclacitinib, and allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT), as well as adjunctive topical and antimicrobial therapy. Antihistamines are effective in about 25% of dogs. Corticosteroids are extremely efficacious; however, side effects are common, thus long-term use is strongly discouraged. Cyclosporine is effective in many dogs with few serious adverse effects, but cost can be a limitation in large breed dogs. Oclacitinib has been shown to have good efficacy, but long-term side effects have not been studied. ASIT appears as the only treatment that is able to induce a clinical cure. However, the percentage of atopic dogs that respond to this treatment is only 60-70% and in many, the response is only partial. It has been proposed that efficacy of subcutaneous ASIT is limited by the ability of the skin to stimulate the immune system. This study will test an alternative route of administration using ASIT for this important skin condition. The investigator will test if direct administration of allergens into a peripheral lymph node may be more effective in stimulating an immunologic reaction, and thereby increasing the response rate, and potentially the cure rate, for canine atopic dermatitis.
(File; Fri Jul 15 12:54:00 CDT 2011)
Description: Article topics include Atopic Dermatitis and Pyruvate Dehyrogenase Phosphate 1 (PDP1) Deficiency.
(Web Page; Wed Aug 21 09:05:00 CDT 2019)
Description:
Atopic dermatitis (AD/Allergic skin disease) is a common condition affecting approximately 10% of the canine population, with strong breed predilections. Affected dogs often succumb to recurrent bacterial skin infections, namely by Staphylococcus species. As in human medicine, one of the major obstacles in treating these infections is combating antimicrobial resistance. Frequently, multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria are encountered and limited treatment options are available. These resistant bacteria can also be transferred between pets and their owners. Though a common clinical threat, knowledge of how resistance is acquired by bacteria warrants further investigation. Are MDR bacteria present on the skin at the onset of infection or do they evolve with the selective pressure of treatment? Current technologies provide sensitive means of detection of mechanisms of resistance, but this has yet to translate into tools for clinical practice. Genetic and genomic analysis of bacterial swabs acquired from dogs with AD and concurrent skin infections and from normal dogs will be compared to current laboratory culture techniques. Sampling dogs before, during, and after treatment will allow Dr. Rankin and her team to predict the effect of treatment on bacterial acquisition of antimicrobial resistance. This study will provide a framework for implementation of new technologies in clinical practice, and give insight into how antimicrobial resistance develops overtime.
16. Effect of Lokivetmab on Tissue Biomarkers of Canine Atopic Dermatitis using RNA Sequencing
(Web Page; Wed May 26 15:16:00 CDT 2021)
Description:
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common, chronic, inflammatory and pruritic allergic skin disease that affects dogs worldwide. Treatment of canine AD has a high unmet need for effective and safe therapeutics. The transcriptome investigation of human AD tissues before and after treatment modalities has revolutionized the understanding of the molecular fingerprint of AD, further defining pathogenic immune pathways and identifying disease-specific biomarkers. In the early-phase trial, lokivetmab, a caninized monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-31 (IL-31) cytokine, markedly improved disease activity, but the effect of IL-31 blockade on AD at the genomic level has not been characterized. The investigators will evaluate lokivetmab modulation of the canine AD transcriptome (defined as differentially expressed genes between lesional and non-lesional skin) using next-generation RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Findings may suggest that inhibition of a single target has the potential to reverse AD pathomechanisms, opening the door for new targeted treatment for this common and debilitating inflammatory skin disease. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis using RNA-seq may identify novel pathogenic pathways of inflammatory biomarkers as canine AD disease drivers, with potential for development of novel targeted therapeutics.
17. Effect(s) of Atopic Dermatitis-associated Cytokines on Staphylococcus pseudintermedius
(Web Page; Fri Oct 01 12:29:00 CDT 2021)
Description:
Allergies are extremely common in dogs, with environmental allergy being one of the most common. The exact cause of allergies is unknown but does present with an abnormal immune response. An immune response is a complex mechanism by which the body fights infections. A major component of this mechanism is made of small signaling proteins called cytokines. In healthy individuals, cytokines are important to maintain a balance between clearing infection and controlling inflammation. However, in allergic dogs, an abnormal immune response may be associated with tissue damage and microbial imbalance. Most of the times, treating the infection results in controlling the allergic flare, but that may not always be sufficient. Recurrent, resistant infections are very difficult to treat in dogs. The lack of response to treatments could be due to the direct effects of the body’s inflammatory response (cytokines) on bacterial growth (alone or in biofilm structures). This phenomenon is well known in human medicine but no studies have been published in veterinary medicine yet. The aim of this study is to understand the relationship between cytokines, associated with allergies and bacteria. If there is an association between immune response and increase in bacterial growth, these findings could open new therapeutic options for controlling bacterial infections in allergic dogs. Such results will pose the basis for new therapies to increase the quality of life of affected pets as well as decreasing the amount of bacterial resistance.
18. Discoveries Issue 49 - Summer 2014
(File; Mon Oct 12 11:52:00 CDT 2015)
Description: Topics from this issue include: viral therapy for canine osteosarcoma; senior dog health campaign; effect of nutrition on behavior; keeping pet food safe and more.
(File; Fri Jan 17 08:15:00 CST 2014)
Description: Results of 2013 health concern poll.
(File; Wed Jul 12 09:07:00 CDT 2023)
Description: In the latest issue of Discoveries you can learn about the link between lung and GI disease, meet the 2023 theriogenology resident, and more.
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