Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disease of dogs. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) initiates pro-inflammatory cytokine release in human AD and serum concentrations are correlated with disease severity.
Hypothesis: Canine serum MIF concentrations are increased in dogs with AD and correlate with clinical lesion and pruritus scores.
Animals: Client owned dogs (n = 49) diagnosed with AD and 17 healthy, unaffected control dogs were used for the study.
Methods and materials: A commercially available MIF ELISA was optimized for the dog and serum from clinical cases used. Information regarding treatment, Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index, (CADESI-4) and pruritus Visual Analog Scale (pVAS) were recorded for each dog at the time of serum collection.
Results: Dogs with AD which had not received steroid therapy and those treated with oclacitinib had significantly elevated serum MIF concentrations compared to controls. Concentrations of MIF were not significantly different in AD dogs receiving steroids compared to controls. There was no significant correlation between MIF concentrations and clinical scores (CADESI-4 or pVAS).
Conclusions and clinical importance: Serum MIF concentrations are increased in dogs with AD and MIF might be a target for therapy.
© 2019 ESVD and ACVD.