Equine atopic skin disease and response to allergen-specific immunotherapy: a retrospective study at the University of California-Davis (1991-2008).
Abstract: This retrospective study reports on the clinical presentation of equine atopic skin disease and evaluates response to treatment with allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) based on intradermal testing and/or serum testing. Computerized medical records from January 1991 to December 2008 yielded 54 horses included in the study. Presenting clinical signs (CS) included urticaria (n=28), pruritus (n=8) or both (n=18). Forty-one of 54 horses received ASIT, and response to ASIT (n=32) was evaluated via telephone survey. Eighty-four per cent (n=27) of owners reported that ASIT reduced their horse's CS; 59% (n=19) were able to manage CS by ASIT alone. Three horses (9%) were managed with ASIT in combination with doxepin and discontinued use of corticosteroids. There was no statistical significance between type of test performed and reported success of ASIT (χ(2) analysis, P=0.53). Ninety-three per cent (n=30) of owners reported use of antipruritic medications prior to starting ASIT; 57% (n=17) of these owners reported discontinuing those medications due to success of ASIT. Adverse effects were limited to swelling at the injection site, seen in 16% (n=5). Seventy-five per cent (n=24) of owners elected to discontinue ASIT after 6 months to 8 years (mean 2.2 years): 15 due to resolution of CS, six due to persistent CS, two because the horse was sold, and one due to cost. Ten owners reported no recurrence of CS after discontinuing ASIT; five had recurrence within a median of 2 years of discontinuing ASIT (range 1-12 years). Allergen-specific immunotherapy is a safe and effective way to manage equine atopic skin disease.
© 2011 The Authors. Veterinary Dermatology © 2011 ESVD and ACVD.
Publication Date: 2011-07-21 PubMed ID: 21777308DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3164.2011.01001.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research is a retrospective study on the clinical manifestation of atopic skin disease in horses and the effectiveness of allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) as a treatment approach. It is based on data extracted from medical records of horses between January 1991 and December 2008 at the University of California-Davis.
Study Overview
- This study took into consideration 54 horses that presented signs of atopic skin diseases such as urticaria, pruritus or both.
- Data was collated from computerized medical records spanning from 1991 to 2008.
- A major part of the study was assessing the performance of Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy (ASIT) in treating the disease.
- Out of the 54 horses, 41 received ASIT and it was found that 84% of them had reduced clinical signs after treatment.
- The effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated through phone surveys.
Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy (ASIT)
- ASIT was shown to be very effective according to the survey. 84% of horse owners reported reduction in clinical signs after its administration.
- In addition to this, 59% were able to manage the disease by ASIT alone, while 9% did so with ASIT in combination with doxepin and discontinued corticosteroids use.
- The success of the treatment did not statistically rely on the kind of test performed, but more on its use.
- The side effects of ASIT were limited to swelling at the injection site, observed in only 16% of the population.
Outcome of ASIT Administration
- After the initial 6 months to 8 years of treatment, 75% (24) of horse owners chose to discontinue ASIT. The discontinuation reasons varied; 15 due to resolution of clinical signs, 6 due to persistent clinical signs, 2 because the horse was sold, and 1 due to cost.
- Out of the owners who discontinued ASIT, 10 experienced no recurrence of clinical signs while five experienced recurrence within a median of 2 years (range 1-12 years).
- 93% (30) owners had used antipruritic medications prior to ASIT; 57% (17) of these owners reported stopping those medications due to the success of ASIT.
Conclusion
- The research concluded that ASIT is a safe and effective method for managing equine atopic skin disease.
Cite This Article
APA
Stepnik CT, Outerbridge CA, White SD, Kass PH.
(2011).
Equine atopic skin disease and response to allergen-specific immunotherapy: a retrospective study at the University of California-Davis (1991-2008).
Vet Dermatol, 23(1), 29-e7.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3164.2011.01001.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA. ctstepnik@ucdavis.edu
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- California
- Dermatitis, Atopic / therapy
- Dermatitis, Atopic / veterinary
- Desensitization, Immunologic / adverse effects
- Desensitization, Immunologic / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
- Hospitals, University
- Male
- Retrospective Studies
- Treatment Outcome
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