The ACVD task force on canine atopic dermatitis (XVIII): histopathology ofskin lesions

For years, the histopathology of skin lesions of canine atopic dermatitis w as deemed non-specific for this diagnosis. However, more recent studies hav e established that canine atopic skin lesions exhibit an inflammatory patte rn characterized as a chronic, hyperplastic and spongiotic, mixed perivascu lar dermatitis. The nature of epidermal and dermal inflammatory cell infilt rates has now been characterized using modem immunological techniques. Epit heliotropic cells include Langerhans' cells, T-lymphocytes and rare eosinop hils. Dermal cells are composed of mast cells, dermal antigen-presenting ce lls, T-lymphocytes and occasional intact and degranulated eosinophils. This paper provides an historical review of the landmark papers that have eluci dated the pathology of canine atopic dermatitis. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.