SERUM AND SKIN IGA CONCENTRATIONS IN NORMAL AND ATOPIC DOGS

Objective To compare serum and skin surface IgA concentrations from at opic and normal dogs, Procedure IgA concentrations in sera and skin wa shings of 20 clinically normal dogs that had no history of pruritus or skin disease were compared to those obtained in 20 dogs with a diagno sis of atopy determined by history, clinical examination and positive intradermal skin test. Results There was no significant difference in the mean serum IgA concentration in normal dogs (252 +/- 187 mg/L) ver sus atopic animals (314 +/- 327). When skin washings from all sites in both groups were compared, atopic dogs had significantly greater conc entrations of IgA in their skin washings than normal dogs as evaluated by an enzyme-linked immunoassay (P < 0.001). However, there was no si gnificant difference between the individual sites of the skin washings of atopic and normal dogs. Conclusion IgA concentrations of skin wash ings in atopic dogs were greater than in normal dogs. Further investig ations need to determine if the greater concentrations were caused by nonspecific inflammation or by secretion of allergen-specific IgA onto the skin surface.