IgE sensitivity and cross-reactivity to crude and purified mite allergens (Der f 1, Der f 2, Der p 1, Der p 2) in atopic dogs sensitive to Dermatophagoides mite allergens

The present study investigates IgE-reactivity to crude and purified mite al lergens by intradermal skin test (IDST), Immunodot method, and ELISA in ato pic dogs sensitive to mite allergens, as well as the allergenic cross react ivity between Dermatophgoides (D) farinae (DF) and D, pteronyssinus (DP) in dogs by IgE-ELISA inhibition. IDST and Immunodot method for crude mite all ergens were performed for atopic dogs and 16 atopic dogs showed sensitivity to mite allergens. Of the 16 dogs, all dogs had anti-DF IgE and 11 had ant i-DP IgE. We measured specific IEE to purified major allergens (Der f 1, De r f 2, Der p 1, Der p 2), Of the 16 atopic dogs, six had anti-Der f 1 IgE a nd seven had anti-Der f 2 IgE. Similarly, of the 16 dogs, six had anti-Der p 1 IgE and seven had anti-Der p 2 IgE, However, eight dogs had no specific IgE to these mite allergens. These dogs may be sensitive to other major mi te allergens except Der 1 and Der 2. In the dogs that had both anti-DF and DP IgE, IgE binding to DF was greatly inhibited by DP, and reciprocal inhib ition was observed. Based on these data, it appears that there is a strong cross-reactivity between DF and DP in dogs. Similarly, a cross-reactivity b etween DF and DP in purified allergens was also observed. IDST and Immunodo t method are useful methods for the diagnosis of atopic diseases in dogs, a nd ELISA is a useful method for further investigation of IgE-reactivity for the allergens. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.