Noninvasive evaluation of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) protein concentrations in the stratum corneum and serum of healthy and atopic dogs.

BACKGROUND: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a cytokine involved primarily in angiogenesis. In human atopic dermatitis (AD), VEGF has been detected in the stratum corneum and blood. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate VEGF-A expression in the serum and stratum corneum of healthy and atopic dogs, and its possible correlation with disease severity in atopic dogs. ANIMAL: Fifteen atopic and 15 healthy, privately owned dogs. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The severity of clinical signs associated with AD was evaluated with the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (CADESI-04). For all dogs, a single blood sample was performed and serum collected. Tape stripping (15 times) was performed on the left periocular area (lesional skin). A commercially available canine-specific VEGF-A enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed with all samples. RESULTS: Vascular endothelial growth factor-A was undetectable in the serum. In the stratum corneum, there was no significant difference in VEGF-A concentrations between healthy (mean 89.4 ± 59.5 pg/ml) and atopic dogs (mean 100.3 ± 77.1pg/ml) (P = 0.71). There was no correlation between stratum corneum VEGF-A concentrations and CADESI-04 scores. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The role of VEGF in canine AD is unclear. Because of many variants, VEGF-C and VEGF-D or VEGF-A isotopes should be explored in the skin to better evaluate the role of VEGF in canine atopy. Full-thickness skin biopsy, molecular biology and histopathological investigation may be necessary to further assess cutaneous VEGF expression.

Isolation of Neisseria dumasiana from a deep bite wound infection in a dog.

BACKGROUND: Neisseria spp. is a common inhabitant of the oral flora of cats and dogs; it is a potential cause of cutaneous infections in people secondary to animal bites. Neisseria dumasiana is a new species identified in the oral cavity of dogs. It has not been linked to cutaneous infections in people. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and microbiological features of Neisseria dumasiana isolated from the skin of a dog. ANIMAL: A 3-year-old male neutered mixed breed dog from Florida, USA. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The dog had no travel history within or outside the United States; the dog was presented with draining tracts on the dorsum. Five months before the initial examination the dog was involved in a fight with another dog. RESULTS: An aerobic bacterial culture was performed and isolated multiple small, grey, moist, circular, convex and nonhaemolytic colonies. A Gram stain showed Gram-negative coccobacilli present in pairs. The bacteria were oxidase- and catalase-positive and negative for indole and fermentation of fructose, xylose, sucrose, mannitol and sorbitol. Polymerase chain reaction, using 16S rDNA sequencing, was positive for Neisseria dumasiana. Clinical and microbiological resolution occurred within three months of treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of a deep cutaneous dermatitis associated with Neisseria dumasiana in a dog. This case should stimulate veterinary clinicians and microbiologists to consider Neisseria spp. among the differential diagnoses of nonhealing wounds in dogs, particularly those associated with bite wounds.

Pilot study using five methods to evaluate skin barrier function in healthy dogs and in dogs with atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis is associated with skin barrier defects. In people, noninvasive techniques are used to quantify the skin barrier functionality. In dogs, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), stratum corneum hydration and pH have been used to assess skin barrier function. However, few studies have determined their repeatability. OBJECTIVE: To assess the repeatability of measurements of skin hydration, TEWL, pH, skin absorbance and erythema in healthy and atopic dogs. ANIMALS: Fifteen healthy and 15 atopic privately owned dogs. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Three repeated measurements using Corneometer®, Skin-pH-Meter®, Colorimeter® and VapoMeter® were obtained from inguinal, axilla, pinna and interdigital space by three investigators. Intra- and interobserver variability (coefficient of variation, correlation coefficients and intraclass correlation coefficients) and difference between the two groups (t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test) were determined. RESULTS: High repeatability and low variation were observed both intra- and interobservers for all devices except the VapoMeter®. The most repeatable device was the Skin-pH-Meter®, whereas the VapoMeter® was the device with the highest intra- and interobserver variability. Atopic dogs had a significantly increased pH (inguinal P = 0.03; axilla P = 0.02) and erythema (inguinal P = 0.01; axilla P = 0.02) compared to healthy dogs. No differences between the two groups were detected using the Corneometer®, VapoMeter® or Colorimeter® (tartrazine absorption). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The results of this pilot study support the use of Corneometer®, Skin-pH-Meter® and Colorimeter® in the assessment of skin barrier function in dogs; further investigations to optimize measurements and confirm these results are needed.