Total serum IgE and IgA antibody levels in healthy dogs of different breeds and exposed to different environments

Total serum immunoglobulin (Ig) E and A levels were analysed in 233 healthy dogs as basis for comparison with atopic dogs in future studies. They were measured by ELISA in a group of non-colonised dogs of various breeds (grou p A) and three groups of colonised dogs including one German Shepherd and t wo Beagle kennels (groups B-D). IgE levels from non-colonised dogs were sig nificantly higher than the ones of German Shepherds and Beagles C (P < 0.05 ). IgA levels were alike in all groups except for the German Shepherds whic h displayed the lowest levels. Age and sex were not identified as common si gnificant cofactors for IgE and IgA levels in all groups and IgE levels cor related negatively with IgA only in non-colonised dogs. In conclusion, IgE and IgA levels seem to be mainly influenced by genetic background. Thus, us e of total serum IgE as a diagnostic tool in the atopic dogs requires exten sive family data and therefore appears most suitable for research purposes within specific, well defined dog populations. (C) 1999 Harcourt Publishers Limited.