Influence of long-term treatment with tetracycline and niacinamide on antibody production in dogs with discoid lupus erythematosus

Topical niacinamide (Nicotinamide) treatment for discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE): A prospective pilot study

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus is an umbrella term for a group of autoimmune connective tissue disorders affecting the skin. Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is the chronic condition and most common form of cutaneous lupus erythematosus.

AIMS

Current therapies of DLE are challenging and not completely satisfactory, highly expensive, off-label, or poorly available (like antimalarials due to COVID-19 outbreaks). Nicotinamide, also called niacinamide, is a water-soluble form of vitamin B3 (niacin). Its multiple effects let us think that nicotinamide could be a therapy for lupus-associated skin lesions.

METHODS

We performed a prospective randomized double-blind clinical trial on 60 subjects diagnosed with Discoid lupus erythematosus using topical Nicotinamide 2% and 4% preparations in form of cream and gel on skin and scalp lesions. Control group was included using only cream/gel base as placebo control.

RESULTS

Obtained data showed that topical Nicotinamide can be used for the treatment of DLE as adjuvant to other treatment regimens with good cosmetic results and minimal side effects. Topical 4% Nicotinamide is superior to 2% preparation in response but associated with a higher incidence of irritation.

CONCLUSION

Topical Nicotinamide can be used for the treatment of DLE as an adjuvant to other treatment regimens with good cosmetic results and minimal side effects. Further trials with long-term therapy, follow-up period, and bigger sample sizes are required.

Prophylaxe der kaninen Parvovirose

Obwohl Impfstoffe gegen das canine Parvovirus (CPV) weltweit eingesetzt werden, tritt die Parvovirose vor allem bei jungen Hunden nach wie vor vergleichsweise häufig auf. Der vorliegende Übersichtsartikel konzentriert sich auf die Ursachen für ein Impfversagen. Hierfür kommen unterschiedlichste Faktoren in Betracht, die den Hund selbst oder seine Umwelt betreffen. So gibt es genetisch bedingt Hunde, die keine Antikörper (Non-Responder) oder nur sehr niedrige Konzentrationen an Antikörpern (Low-Responder) nach einer CPV-Impfung ausbilden. Der Impferfolg kann auch durch andere intrinsische Faktoren (z. B. Gewicht, Alter, Reproduktions- und Ernährungsstatus, Krankheiten) und/oder extrinsische Faktoren (z. B. Stress, Belastung, Medikamente) beeinträchtigt werden. Neben Ursachen, die den individuellen Hund betreffen, kann ein Impfversagen auch durch eine reduzierte immunisierende Eigenschaft des Impfstoffs bedingt sein; hierfür kommt eine Vielzahl verschiedener Faktoren in Betracht (z. B. Herstellung, Lagerung, Applikation).

[Prevention of canine parvovirosis - Part 1: Humoral and cellular immunity]

Canine parvovirosis remains a common and highly infectious disease. Thus, adequate protection is essential for all dogs at any time. In this, humoral immunity plays an essential role. The presence of antibodies in adult dogs suggests immunity against the disease, and nearly all adult dogs possess antibodies (either due to previous vaccination or infection). Meanwhile, worldwide vaccination guidelines recommend measurement of pre-vaccination antibodies instead of regular triennial re-vaccinations in adult dogs. Studies have demonstrated a long lasting duration of immunity against canine parvovirus. Re-vaccination therefore possesses no beneficial effect when dogs already have pre-vaccination antibodies. Thus, when antibodies are present, unnecessary re-vaccinations that potentially cause vaccine-associated adverse events should be avoided. Hemagglutination inhibition and virus neutralization can be performed in specialized laboratories for quantitative antibody titer measurement. Semiquantitative point-of-care (POC) tests for detection of CPV antibodies are available. Since the presence of CPV antibodies in adult dogs that have been vaccinated or previously infected suggests adequate immunity against disease, these POC tests can be a useful tool in practice. They identify dogs that might potentially be unprotected and require re-vaccination during preventive health care appointments. Concerning the POC tests' quality assessment, a high specificity (low number of false positive test results) is considered the most important feature.

Sublingual reactive histiocytosis in a dog

Lingual lesions are relatively uncommon in dogs and are mostly represented by neoplasms and glossitis secondary to trauma or infections. Reactive histiocytosis is an uncommon, poorly understood, reactive disorder characterized by proliferation of activated, interstitial, dendritic, antigen-presenting cells associated with lymphocytes and neutrophils with a specific angiocentric orientation and occasional angioinvasion and angiodestruction. Clinically, the disease has a waxing and waning behavior with possible response to treatment and regression, or progression to multiple lesions and internal organ involvement. This case report describes an unusual sublingual presentation of reactive histiocytosis in a Miniature Pinscher dog. The diagnosis was obtained by clinical and histopathological exclusion of other causes, detection of the characteristic microscopic growth pattern, and by immunocytochemistry. Histiocytic cells were vimentin, CD18, CD11c, and CD1c positive consistent with a dendritic cell origin. Anti-BCG stain (Bacillus Calmette and Guerin) was negative for etiological agents. The dog was treated with oral administration of tetracycline and niacinamide during an 8-month period. There was no indication of recurrence of the sublingual mass 2-years following treatment.

Cutaneous reactive histiocytosis in dogs: a retrospective evaluation of 32 cases

Thirty-two cases of canine cutaneous histiocytosis were retrospectively evaluated. Median age at onset was 4 years. Lesions included nodules and plaques affecting the head/face, trunk and limbs, and erythema, swelling and depigmentation of the nasal planum/nares. Systemic involvement was not ruled out in all cases. All dogs had complete resolution of dermatological lesions after initial treatment (median 45 days). Initial treatment included prednisone +/- antibiotics (12 of 32 dogs), prednisone and tetracycline/niacinamide (four of 32), prednisone and azathioprine (three of 32), tetracycline/niacinamide +/- vitamin E/essential fatty acids (six of 32), antibiotics +/- antihistamines (three of 32), cyclosporine and ketoconazole (one of 32), topical therapy (two of 32), and no treatment (one of 32). Seventeen dogs received maintenance therapy which consisted of tetracycline/niacinamide +/- vitamin E/essential fatty acids (12 of 17), cyclosporine/ketoconazole (two to three times a week) (two of 17), azathioprine daily (one of 17), prednisone/azathioprine (two times a week) (one of 17), and prednisone daily (one of 17). Median follow up was 25 months. Nine dogs had a recurrence of cutaneous histiocytosis (median days to recurrence 130 days), with seven of nine having more than one recurrence. At study completion, six dogs were deceased (no lesions at the time of death) and 26 of 32 were alive with no lesions. Ten of 26 dogs were on maintenance treatment (eight tetracycline/niacinamide, one azathioprine, one vitamin E). Previous dermatological disease and season had no detectable influence on recurrence. Recurrence was significantly more likely in dogs with nasal planum/nares lesions than dogs without these lesions. Tetracycline/niacinamide was an effective treatment option for dogs in this study population.

The effect of endoparasitism on the immune response to antirabies vaccination in puppies

The specific and non-specific immune response after antirabies vaccination was studied in young dogs with altered immune functions suffering from endoparasitoses and compared with those in healthy dogs. The degree of the immunosuppression was confirmed by functional test of phagocytes and proliferation activity test of lymphocytes. The study indicates an association between parasitized animals, and a depression in the immune responses. Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina and Trichuris vulpis were the most prevalent parasite species. During the experiment no anthelmintic treatment was applied. In puppies suffering from immunosuppression significantly lower specific antibody level after antirabies vaccination was demonstrated on day 28. In such case of known immunosuppression it is recommended to repeat antirabies vaccination; primovaccination does not provide satisfactory protection. Anthelmintic preventive treatment may be necessary to improve the immune responses to antirabies vaccination and provide effective protection.

Treatment of pemphigus vulgaris. An overview in Mexico

Pemphigus is an autoimmune skin disease that can present in a variety of forms and can prove challenging to manage and treat. An overview of the condition in Mexico is presented. Emphasis is placed on management of the condition, with description of the most commonly used treatments (glucocorticoids, azathioprine), the second line therapies (cyclosporine and mycophenolate mofetil), and additional alternative treatments (cyclophosphamide and dapsone).