Evaluation of Plasma C-Reactive Protein as a Biomarker in Dogs with Atopic -Dermatitis Receiving Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy: A Pilot Study

INTRODUCTION

In this pilot study, we wished to determine if C-reactive protein (CRP) levels could be a useful severity or treatment biomarker for canine atopic dermatitis (AD). Nine atopic dogs received allergen immunotherapy for 1 year. Blood was collected before and at four re-evaluation visits. At each time point, the skin lesions were graded with the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (CADESI) 4, and the plasma CRP levels were measured by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). We found a significant yet minimal correlation between the CRP levels and the CADESI4 scores. The CRP levels were not significantly different between dogs with AD of increasing severity. Finally, there was no correlation between the percentage change in CADESI4 and CRP values during immunotherapy. In conclusion, the lack of significant difference in CRP levels between dogs of increasing AD severity and lack of correlation between percentage changes in skin lesion and CRP values suggest that this protein would not be a clinically-useful biomarker in atopic dogs.

[The benefit of the nurse consultation in the atopy school]

Therapeutic education is a key part of the treatment of patients suffering from atopic dermatitis. At Nantes university hospital, a dedicated centre, the atopy school, has been created to this effect. Nurses describe their practice through the clinical situation of a young child.