A randomized double-blind clinical trial: Comparison of oclacitinib with a traditional Chinese herbal medicine product (Dihuang Guiqin capsule) in the treatment of canine atopic dermatitis.

Canine atopic dermatitis (cAD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease, which seriously affects the quality of life for both dogs and their owners. Currently, the common therapeutic drugs in the clinic have disadvantages such as obvious adverse effects and high prices. Traditional Chinese herbal medicine (TCHM) has great potential for the treatment of cAD. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of different doses of the TCHM product (Dihuang Guiqin capsule) and oclacitinib in the treatment of cAD through a randomized, double-blind trial. Sixty dogs diagnosed with AD were randomly and evenly divided into four groups (n = 15). The TCHM treatment group consisted of three subgroups that received three different oral doses (20, 40, and 60 mg/kg BW), while the control group received 0.5 mg/kg BW of oclacitinib. Each group was administered twice daily for 14 consecutive days. The results showed that both TCHM and oclacitinib significantly improved cAD-induced itching (evaluated by pVAS) and skin lesions (evaluated by CADESI-04), while interleukin 31 (IL-31) concentrations decreased significantly (P < 0.05) and serum biochemical indicators returned to normal. In particular, The therapeutic effects of TCHM medium- and high-dose groups were similar to those of oclacitinib (P > 0.05). The preliminary recommended dose of Dihuang Guiqin capsule for the treatment of cAD has been determined to be 40-60 mg/kg BW twice daily for 14 consecutive days, which can be reduced to once daily as appropriate. Dihuang Guiqin capsule was safe and well tolerated, which may be a new option for the treatment of cAD.

Therapeutic potential of low-molecular weight lignin model polymer fractions for treating skin lesions in animals: a pilot study.

Bacterial infections and resistance to antibiotics are increasingly severe problems. In recent years, Staphylococcus species have emerged as important pathogens in animals and humans. Current therapeutic methods against these species have serious disadvantages; therefore new agents with antibacterial potential, such as plant-based substances, are very important in therapy. We report a pilot study with new method of fractioning the dehydrogenate polymer DHP obtained from coniferyl alcohol and application of the low-MW fractions of 200-3000 Da for antibacterial activity in healing animal lesions. In vivo experiments were conducted on the dogs having a skin lesion. Dogs were treated with the suspension containing the low-MW DHP fractions as the active ingredient, in combination with alginate for 7 days. Cytological smears and microbiological analyses of the affected area were performed. Staphylococcus spp. was isolated from lesions in all dogs from our research. The results show that the low-MW DHP suspension in alginate promotes skin healing and reduction of the infection of the lesions in the affected animals. Pharmaceutical composition containing the low-MW DHP fractions exerts a soothing effect on the subject in wound treatment. Reduction in the number of bacteria by 30% and more were noticed in 6 dogs, while in 4 dogs this percentage is above 50%. No side effects were noticed. Synthesized lignin oligomers may have a significant place as antimicrobial and skin healing agents, especially since an increasing number of multidrug-resistant staphylococci are found on the skin lesions in animals.

Assessment of owner perceptions of caregiver burden, veterinarian-client relationship and satisfaction with the provider in canine pruritus: An experimental vignette study.

BACKGROUND: Complicated treatments for skin disease are linked to owner-caregiver burden and poorer perception of the veterinarian-client relationship, regardless of disease severity. HYPOTHESES/OBJECTIVES: Using experimental vignettes, we explored the impact on owner perception of the interaction of treatment complexity and skin disease outcomes. We hypothesised that: (i) vignette conditions involving injection therapy would result in lower burden, better veterinary-client relationship and greater satisfaction relative to multimodal therapy conditions; (ii) the vignette condition of injection therapy with a completely effective outcome would be superior to all other conditions; (iii) ineffective vignette conditions would be inferior to all other conditions; and (iv) the vignette condition injection with a mostly effective outcome would be similar or superior to the multimodal therapy with a completely effective outcome condition. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred and nine owners of pruritic dogs recruited from a general veterinary practice, pet-related podcast, or social media dog allergy group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants were presented with six counterbalanced online vignettes representing three levels of treatment effectiveness (Completely Effective, Mostly Effective, Ineffective) and two treatment regimens (Multimodal, Injection). Measurements of participant perceptions of caregiver burden, veterinarian-client relationship and satisfaction were recorded. RESULTS: Injection with perfect outcome was superior to other conditions (p < 0.001). Conditions with poor effectiveness were inferior (p < 0.001). Comparison of Injection with a mostly effective outcome to Multimodal treatment with perfect outcome yielded small-to-medium effects of preference for the latter in veterinarian-client relationship and satisfaction (p < 0.01); no difference was observed for caregiver burden. When good effectiveness was assured, injection was preferred (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Owners preferred a Completely Effective outcome and were prepared to select the Injection regimen or Multimodal therapy to achieve this; Injection was preferred when effectiveness was assured.

An in-depth investigation of the microbiota and its virulence factors associated with severe udder cleft dermatitis lesions.

Udder cleft dermatitis (UCD) is a skin condition affecting the anterior parts of the udder in dairy cattle. In the present study, we aimed to shed light on the microbiota in severe UCD lesions versus healthy udder skin by putting forward a taxonomic and functional profile based on a virulence factor analysis. Through shotgun metagenomic sequencing, we found a high proportion of bacteria in addition to a low abundance of archaea. A distinct clustering of healthy udder skin versus UCD lesion samples was shown by applying principal component analysis and (sparse) partial least squares analysis on the metagenomic data. Proteobacteria, Bacillota, and Actinomycetota were among the most abundant phyla in healthy udder skin samples. In UCD samples, Bacteroidota was the most abundant phylum. At genus level, Bifidobacterium spp. had the highest relative abundance in healthy skin samples, whereas Porphyromonas spp. and Corynebacterium spp. had the highest relative abundance in UCD samples. In the differential abundance analysis, Porphyromonas spp. and Bacteroides spp. were significantly differentially abundant in UCD samples, whereas Bifidobacterium spp., Staphylococcus sp. AntiMn-1, and Staphylococcus equorum were more commonly found in healthy samples. Moreover, the abundance of several treponeme phylotypes was significantly higher in lesion samples. The streptococcal cysteine protease speB was among the most abundant virulence factors present in severe UCD lesions, while a plethora of virulence factors such as the antitoxin relB were downregulated, possibly contributing to creating the ideal wound climate for the dysbiotic community. Network analysis showed healthy lesion samples had a large network ofpositive, correlations between the abundances of beneficial species such as Aerococcus urinaeequi and Bifidobacterium angulatum, indicating that the healthy skin microbiome forms an active protective bacterial network, which is disrupted in case of UCD. In UCD samples, a smaller microbial network mainly consisting of positive correlations between the abundances of Bacteroides fragilis and anaerobic Bacteroidota was exposed. Moreover, a high correlation between the taxonomic data and virulence factors was revealed, concurrently with 2 separate networks of microbes and virulence factors. One network, matching with the taxonomic findings in the healthy udder skin samples, showcased a community of harmless or beneficial bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium spp. and Butyrivibrio proteoclasticus, associated with hcnB, hcnC, relB, glyoxalase, and cupin 2. The other network, corresponding to UCD samples, consisted of pathogenic or facultative pathogenic and mainly anaerobic bacteria such as Treponema spp., Mycoplasmopsis spp., and bovine gammaherpesvirus 4, that correlated with virulence factors SpvB, fhaB, and haemagglutination activity domain-associated factor. Our results point toward a dysbiotic community with a notable decrease in diversity and evenness, with a loss of normal skin inhabitants and innocuous or useful species making way for predominantly anaerobic, facultative pathogens. The shift in the abundance of virulence factors such as fhaB and SpvB could play a role in the manifestation of a local micro-environment favorable to the microbiome associated with udder skin lesions. Lastly, the presence of specific networks between microbial species, and between microbes and virulence factors was shown.

Quantifying and mapping digital dermatitis-associated bacteria in lesion and nonlesion body sites and dairy farm environment.

The source of infection of digital dermatitis (DD), an infectious lameness condition, is still uncertain. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to identify potential reservoirs of DD bacteria in dairy cattle body sites with different stages of the disease and farm environments. We collected skin swabs from 85 dairy cows from 5 herds, 3 with and 2 without DD, from foot, hock, and udder cleft skin (with lesions or not), saliva, urine, and feces. We also obtained environmental samples. Real-time quantitative PCR targeted Treponema phagedenis, Treponema medium, Treponema pedis, Porphyromonas levii, Bacteroides pyogenes, Fusobacterium necrophorum, and Fusobacterium mortiferum. Digital dermatitis-associated Treponema spp. were exclusively detected in DD-affected herds in DD-foot and other skin lesions, healthy skin, saliva, and environmental samples. In contrast, the non-Treponema spp. were found in samples from both DD-negative and affected herds. As expected, DD lesions had higher bacterial loads than healthy skin. Interestingly, similar counts were observed in udder cleft lesions, indicating a potential opportunistic behavior on compromised skin. None of the targeted species were detected in fecal samples, but P. levii, B. pyogenes, and F. necrophorum were detected in urine. All 7 species were detected in saliva, although in low quantities. No associations were observed between the presence of each bacterial species in DD lesions and urine; however, there was an association between the presence of DD-Treponema spp. in lesions and saliva, hock, and udder skin. Feces and urine do not seem to be a DD bacteria primary source, but saliva and other skin lesions may play a role. Longitudinal studies would improve our understanding of DD-associated bacteria's transient or persistent presence in these sites. Investigating the sources of DD-associated bacteria will guide future interventions to minimize bacterial shedding and transmission, ultimately more effectively reducing bacterial load, transmission, and sources of infection in dairy herds.

Skin Disease and Behavior Changes in the Cat.

The health of the skin and coat of a cat is connected to the behavioral health of the animal. Stressed animals can cause lesions to their skin and coat such as alopecia, ulcers, and self-mutilation. On the other hand, localized or systemic health problems can cause stress, or pain, and therefore can increase overgrooming and poor skin health. When treating overgrooming and related skin lesions, all the physical and behavioral causes must be addressed through a multimodal approach.

Cytotoxic dermatitis: Review of the interface dermatitis pattern in veterinary skin diseases.

Interface dermatitis or lichenoid interface dermatitis refers to a cutaneous inflammatory pattern in which keratinocyte cell death is the essential feature. These terms have evolved from the originally described lichenoid tissue reaction. These lesions are the basis for an important group of skin diseases in animals and people where cytotoxic T-cell-mediated epidermal damage is a major pathomechanism. Yet, for largely historical reasons these commonly used morphological diagnostic terms do not reflect the essential nature of the lesion. An emphasis on subsidiary lesions, such as the presence of a lichenoid band, and definitions based on anatomical features, such as location at the dermo-epidermal location, may cause confusion and even misdiagnosis. This review covers historical aspects of the terminology, including the origin of terms such as "lichenoid." The types of cell death involved and the histopathologic lesions are described. Etiopathogenesis is discussed in terms of aberrations of immune/inflammatory mechanisms focusing on cutaneous lupus erythematosus, erythema multiforme, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis. Mechanisms have most extensively been studied in humans and laboratory animals and the discussion is centered on these species. As interface dermatitis is firmly entrenched in dermatological parlance, rather than using "cytotoxic" as its substitute, the terminologies "interface cytotoxic dermatitis" and "panepidermal cytotoxic dermatitis" are recommended, based on location and extent of epithelium affected.

Pattern analysis for the diagnosis of inflammatory skin lesions in domestic animals: An overview.

Pattern analysis of inflammatory skin diseases is a technique that offers a systematic approach to the histologic diagnosis of skin diseases. First introduced to human dermatopathology in the 1970s, it was widely adopted by veterinary pathologists for the histologic diagnosis of skin diseases in animals. As the inflammatory pattern reflects, to varying extents, aspects of the underlying disease pathogenesis, its use has contributed to the recognition of novel skin diseases in domestic animals, particularly in dogs and cats. Alternative diagnostic approaches used in human dermatopathology, such as "tissue-reaction pattern" and a purely "anatomic approach" have not been as widely used in veterinary pathology. However, veterinary pathologists often combine pattern analysis with anatomic and etiologic factors. This overview outlines the technique, introduces the patterns, and discusses advantages and limitations of pattern analysis in veterinary diagnostic dermatopathology. While molecular analytic techniques and image informatics will undoubtedly prove to be revolutionary in many areas of diagnostic pathology, it is recognized in both human and veterinary arenas that the light microscopic interpretation of hematoxylin and eosin-stained tissue sections will remain the mainstay of routine dermatopathology diagnosis for the foreseeable future.

Characterization of the serum and skin inflammatory profile in canine pemphigus foliaceus using multiplex assay and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

Canine pemphigus foliaceus (PF) is a common autoimmune skin disease characterized by autoantibodies binding to epithelial adhesion molecules resulting inflammatory response. The immune network of cytokine and chemokine abnormalities that characterize the immune response in canine PF are poorly explored. This study evaluated serum and lesional skin cytokine and chemokine profiles of dogs diagnosed with PF compared to healthy control dogs. Serum samples obtained from 11 PF dogs and 16 healthy control dogs were analyzed using commercially available canine multiplex assay for 13 biomarkers (Canine Milliplex assay). Eight lesional skin samples from seven PF dogs and five healthy site-matched samples from five healthy dogs were evaluated for 20 immune markers using quantitative real-time PCR. Immunomodulating medications were suspended for at least four weeks in all dogs before obtaining serum and skin samples. PF patients showed significantly higher serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)- 6, IL-8, IL-18, CCL2, KC-like, and granulocyte-macrophages colony-stimulating factor when compared to healthy controls (Mann-Whitney U test; p < 0.05 for all). Lesional PF skin exhibited significant expression and upregulation of pro-inflammatory/T helper (Th1) 1 markers IL-1ß, MX1, GZMB, OAS1, and IFN-γ as well as Th2 cytokines IL-13, IL-33, TSLP, IL-31 and Th17/22 markers IL-17A and IL-22 (Mann-Whitney U test; p < 0.05 for all). Taken together, the findings from this study describe the role of numerous cytokines and chemokines associated with immune response in the skin and serum of canine PF patients. Further larger-sample proteomics and RNA-sequencing transcriptomics studies are needed to understand the immune pathogenesis of canine PF skin lesions.

Performance of fine-needle aspirate testing compared with superficial swab testing for quantification of BPV-1/-2 viral load in equine sarcoids.

Bovine papillomavirus (BPV) types 1 and 2 are causally associated with equine sarcoid, the most common mesenchymal neoplasm of horses, but the viral load (VL) differs between lesions. Sensitive and accurate BPV detection and quantification is essential for clinicians to confirm clinical suspicion, as well as in research settings for stratifying these skin lesions. Due to the limitations of histopathology in sarcoid diagnosis, PCR screening of superficial swabs constitutes the principal sampling method for BPV detection. This study aimed to investigate the ability of superficial swabs and fine-needle aspirates (FNA) to accurately detect the VL in equine sarcoids, considering the main clinical types: occult, nodular, verrucous and fibroblastic. Superficial swabs and FNAs from a series of sarcoid-affected horses were tested in parallel for BPV DNA quantification. Quantitative real-time PCR screening of postoperative tissue biopsies served as reference standard for the accuracy assessment of the viral titters. Our results indicate that VL is not a predictor of the clinical type. Student's t-test results gave evidence of a significant difference between both sample methods (P < 0.001) with FNA giving the best approximation of the actual VL (P < 0.01). In contrast to superficial swabs, the reference standard correlated moderately with FNA in general (P < 0.05; r = 0.39) and strongly with FNA results within the occult sarcoid group (P < 0.05; r = 0.59). In conclusion, the correlation of FNA with the reference standard was strong enough to suggest this is the preferred method for quantifying VL in sarcoids.

Guide to diagnosing and managing skin diseases in horses.

Reviewed by Sarah Long, lecturer in veterinary dermatology at Bristol vet school.

Challenges in the diagnosis and management of skin diseases in alpacas, goats, pigs, and sheep.

The primary aim of this article is to provide an overview of several selected skin conditions in livestock species. Topics include ectoparasites in alpacas, antler velvet in reindeer, immune-mediated disease in goats, ectoparasites in pigs, Culicoides allergic dermatitis and parapox infection in sheep. When dealing with skin disease in livestock, it is important to collect a detailed history and undertake a thorough clinical examination to include the axilla, groin, limbs and feet. While the diagnosis will often be anticipated from the history and presentation, it is important to consider a differential diagnosis list and appropriate diagnostic testing before embarking on a poly-pharmacy approach to "rule out" causes of disease. This is particularly important where morbidity is high and the livestock of perceived high value to the keeper/owner, such as goats and small-breed pigs, or when the skin condition is long standing/chronic. Ideally, the management plan should sequentially clarify the role of microbial infection and then ectoparasites before considering less common allergic and autoimmune conditions. Skin cytology is an invaluable in-house diagnostic method that can support the findings of culture. Taking skin samples for histopathology and possibly culture may prove valuable once other diagnostic methods have been explored. Given the need to protect the use of parenteral antimicrobials, topical antimicrobial therapies can be deployed successfully. The repeated use of macrocyclic lactones (avermectins) must be balanced in terms of the risks of promoting anthelmintic resistance versus controlling or eradicating the ectoparasites that have, ideally, been specifically identified.

Avian Dermatology.

Dermatologic conditions are common in avian practice and can be caused by a huge array of potential disorders, ranging from infectious diseases, ectoparasites, metabolic disorders, nutritional deficiencies, and management deficits. The skin is the largest organ in the body and has the potential to lead to significant discomfort and welfare compromise when pathology is present. Some conditions may be relatively pathognomonic based on gross findings, whereas others may require a full diagnostic workup to investigate. Getting to the bottom of skin lesions and disorders often involves identification and correction of the underlying cause, rather than just treating the lesions present in the integument.

Rabbit Dermatology.

The majority of rabbit skin disease presentations can be divided into pruritus, alopecia, scaling, and nodules. Some disease will have more than one of these clinical signs. Ectoparasites, bacterial and fungal infections, and neoplasia account for most of the causes seen. Diagnostic tests include skin scraping and cytology, microbial culture, and biopsy. Therapy is dependent on cause. In addition to discussing the various causes and their treatments, important clinical care points are noted.

Zoonotic Dermatoses of Exotic Companion Mammals.

Integumentary disorders caused by zoonotic agents are very common in exotic companion mammals. This article provides an understanding of the main zoonotic dermatoses including parasitic, fungal, bacterial, and viral diseases to provide the most updated information on their epidemiology, diagnosis, reported clinical signs, and therapies.

Genetic associations between human-directed behavior and intraspecific social aggression in growing pigs.

This study estimated the genetic parameters for human-directed behavior and intraspecific social aggression traits in growing pigs, and explored the phenotypic correlations among them. Data on 2,413 growing pigs were available. Pigs were mixed into new social groups of 18 animals, at 69 ± 5.2 d of age and skin lesions (SL) were counted 24 h (SL24h) post-mixing. Individual behavioral responses to isolation in a weighing crate (CRATE) or when alone in an arena while a human directly approached them (IHAT) were assessed within 48 h post-mixing. Additionally, pigs were tested for behavioral responses to the presence of a single human observer walking in their home pen in a circular motion (WTP) within one (T1) and 4 wk post-mixing (T2) noting pigs that followed, nosed or bit the observer. Animal models were used to estimate genetic and phenotypic parameters for all studied traits. Heritabilities (h2) for SL, CRATE and IHAT responses were low to moderate (0.07 to 0.29), with the highest h2 estimated for speed of moving away from the approaching observer. Low but significant h2 were estimated for nosing (0.09) and biting (0.11) the observer at T2. Positive high genetic correlations (rg) were observed between CRATE and IHAT responses (0.52 to 0.93), and within SL traits (0.79 to 0.91) while positive low to high correlations between the estimated breeding values (rEBV) were estimated within the WTP test (0.24 to 0.59) traits. Positive moderate rg were observed between CRATE and central and posterior SL24h. The rEBV of CRATE and IHAT test responses and WTP test traits were low, mostly negative (-0.21 to 0.05) and not significant. Low positive rEBV (0.06 to 0.24) were observed between SL and the WTP test traits. Phenotypic correlations between CRATE and IHAT responses and SL or WTP test traits were mostly low and not significant. Under the conditions of this study, h2 estimates for all studied traits suggest they could be suitable as a method of phenotyping aggression and fear/boldness for genetic selection purposes. Additionally, genetic correlations between aggression and fear indicators were observed. These findings suggest selection to reduce the accumulation of lesions is likely to make pigs more relaxed in a crate environment, but to alter the engagement with humans in other contexts that depends on the location of the lesions under selection.

We estimated genetic and phenotypic correlations and heritabilities for temperament indicators in growing pigs such as fearfulness (i.e., vocal and physical withdrawal response to an approaching human while isolated in an arena; attempts to escape from a weigh crate); boldness (i.e., biting, following or nosing a human walking inside their home pen) and aggression (i.e., skin lesions). Our results indicate that the studied traits were heritable, and some of these traits could potentially be useful for genetic selection. Additionally, genetic correlations were observed between aggression and fear indicators; pigs with a higher count of skin lesions on their flanks, backs, hind quarters and rear legs 24 h post-mixing (i.e., likely subordinate pigs) tended to display more distress while in isolation in a weigh crate, and were less likely to willingly approach a human. The three boldness indicators were associated, indicating that pigs biting the observer were also those that followed and nosed the observer, suggesting a general increase in exploratory drive and/or a reduction in fearfulness in these animals. These findings suggest that selection to reduce lesions to the rear of the body could have a desirable impact on other important behavioral indicators.

Higher white-nose syndrome fungal isolate yields from UV-guided wing biopsies compared with skin swabs and optimal culture media.

BACKGROUND: North American bat populations have suffered severe declines over the last decade due to the Pseudogymnoascus destructans fungus infection. The skin disease associated with this causative agent, known as white-nose syndrome (WNS), is specific to bats hibernating in temperate regions. As cultured fungal isolates are required for epidemiological and phylogeographical studies, the purpose of the present work was to compare the efficacy and reliability of different culture approaches based on either skin swabs or wing membrane tissue biopsies for obtaining viable fungal isolates of P. destructans. RESULTS: In total, we collected and analysed 69 fungal and 65 bacterial skin swabs and 51 wing membrane tissue biopsies from three bat species in the Czech Republic, Poland and the Republic of Armenia. From these, we obtained 12 viable P. destructans culture isolates. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that the efficacy of cultures based on wing membrane biopsies were significantly higher. Cultivable samples tended to be based on collections from bats with lower body surface temperature and higher counts of UV-visualised lesions. While cultures based on both skin swabs and wing membrane tissue biopsies can be utilised for monitoring and surveillance of P. destructans in bat populations, wing membrane biopsies guided by UV light for skin lesions proved higher efficacy. Interactions between bacteria on the host's skin also appear to play an important role.

Immunogenicity analysis of BPV-1 positive equine sarcoid-derived cultured fibroblasts.

Sarcoids are the most common equine skin tumours Although they do not metastasize, they can be locally aggressive and cause significant clinical symptoms in affected horses. Despite being common, very little is known about the host immune response and the biological mechanisms underlying persistence and recurrence of equine sarcoids. The latter reflects the need for further research in this field. This in-vitro study used sarcoid explants from horses with naturally occurring sarcoids (n = 12) to evaluate the induction of a humoral immune response directed against equine sarcoid-derived bovine papilloma-virus (BPV)- 1 infected fibroblasts using a flow cytometric crossmatch assay. The presence of antibodies against exogenous bovine serum albumin (BSA) and fibroblast-like mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) was also evaluated by ELISA and flow cytometry, respectively. The viral load in the sarcoid explants, the corresponding cultured sarcoid fibroblasts, and matched peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from affected horses were determined by quantitative BPV-1/- 2 PCR analysis. Antibodies against autologous sarcoid cells were present in six out of twelve sarcoid-affected horses. Serum from all horses showed cross reactivity with allogeneic sarcoid cells, while only a part reacted with BSA or MSCs. Screening of host PBMCs demonstrated the absence of BPV E1 nucleic acids. Statistical analysis revealed a significantly higher mean viral load in the parental sarcoid tissue compared to the low passage fibroblasts (P < 0.001). These results support the hypothesis that sarcoid-affected horses may develop antibodies recognizing tumour-specific antigens. In contrast to sarcoid explants, equine PBMCs do not seem to contain complete BPV genomes. These results provide a basis for future investigations on the clinical relevance of these antibodies.

The potential of three whole blood microRNAs to predict outcome and monitor treatment response in sarcoid-bearing equids.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been proposed as biomarkers for equine sarcoid (ES) disease. In this study, the suitability of three whole blood miRNAs to diagnose ES and to predict and monitor the outcome of therapy was explored. Using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), expression levels of eca-miR-127, eca-miR-379, and eca-miR-432 in whole blood of ES-affected equids before and at least one year after therapy were compared to those of unaffected control equids. Associations of age, sex, species, diagnosis, and therapy outcome with miRNA expression levels were examined using general linear models. In total, 48 ES-affected equids and 47 control equids were recruited. From the affected animals, 31 responded favorably to treatment, and 17 demonstrated a failure of therapy. None of the tested miRNAs were influenced by age. Male equids showed increased expression of eca-miR-127 compared to females and horses showed higher expression levels of eca-miR-379 and eca-miR-432 than donkeys. Eca-miR-127 was confirmed as a diagnostic discriminator between ES-affected and control equids. No difference in miRNA profiles before therapy was found when comparing ES-affected equids with success vs. failure of therapy. Eca-miR-379 and eca-miR-432 decreased over time in horses where therapy was successful, but not in those cases where it failed. Biological variables influence equine whole blood miRNA expression, which may complicate biomarker validation. While none of the tested miRNAs could predict the response to therapy in ES-affected equids and eca-miR-127 showed poor diagnostic accuracy for ES, eca-miR-379 and eca-miR-432 miRNAs might allow refinement of monitoring of success of ES therapy.