EVALUATION OF INTERLEUKIN-2 PRODUCTION AND INTERLEUKIN-2 RECEPTOR EXPRESSION IN DOGS WITH GENERALIZED DEMODICOSIS

The experimental hypothesis tested was that dogs with generalized demo dicosis have significantly lower levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) produc tion and IL-2 receptor expression as compared with normal dogs. The sp ecific objective of this study was to compare the production of IL-2 a nd IL-2 receptor expression of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in n ormal dogs and dogs with generalized demodicosis. Ten dogs with juveni le-onset generalized demodicosis were evaluated. Dogs with generalized demodicosis had a significantly lower in vitro lymphocyte blastogenes is response (P < 0.006), fewer cells expressing IL-2 receptors (P < 0. 03), and decreased IL-2 production (P < 0.01) than control dogs.