Veterinary Allergy E-Book

Chiara Noli

• Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
• Kategorie: Fachliteratur
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 1326

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2013

Beschreibung

The current state of knowledge on this increasingly important subject is beautifully described in this, the first truly comprehensive text of allergic diseases affecting the major veterinary species. It will be an invaluable guide to students, clinicians and researchers alike. From the Foreword by Professor Richard Halliwell, MS, PhD, VetMB, MRCVS, Dip ACVD

Veterinary Allergy is the first comprehensive, high quality reference dealing with all aspects of veterinary allergy in all species and all body systems involved with allergy. Providing solid breadth and excellent depth of coverage, it deals with the immunopathology of the various allergic conditions as well as with clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of veterinary allergic diseases.

Key features:

• Broad species coverage, organised by sections on dogs, cats, horses, and other domestic species including large animals, birds and small mammals
• Provides details on diseases affecting the skin, respiratory tract and gut
• Contains practical information for clinicians on management of allergic diseases
• Includes fully-referenced high level detail suitable for specialists and researchers
• Focused on evidence-based medicine and science
• The editors have extensive experience and are respected as world-wide experts in the field
• Every chapter is written by an expert in that particular topic

Anyone seeking information and references on any aspect of allergic conditions in any species should find this book helpful.  The book will be of interest to clinicians in first opinion practice, specialists in veterinary dermatology, gastroenterology, internal medicine, and immunology as well as specialists-in-training in those fields and veterinary students.

The focus on underlying principles and practical clinical aspects is admirable. Immediately useful for practical utilization by practicing clinicians. Dr. Andrew Mackin BSc BVMS MVS DVSc FACVSc DSAM, Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Professor and Service Chief, Small Animal Internal Medicine, Dr. Hugh G. Ward Endowed Chair of Small Animal Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, USA

Leseprobe

Table of Contents

Dedication

Title page

Copyright page

Acknowledgments

Contributors

Foreword

Introduction: the immunological basis of allergic diseases

Introduction

The multifactorial nature of allergy

Future progress

Part 1: Canine Allergy

Section 1: Canine Atopic Dermatitis

1: Introduction: canine atopic dermatitis as an evolving, multifactorial disease

2: Canine immunoglobulin E

Introduction

The role of immunoglobulin E in atopic disease

Immunoglobulin E interaction with immune and inflammatory cells

The immunoglobulin E network of soluble receptors and autoantibody complexes

Therapeutic anti-immunoglobulin E

Conclusion

3: The aberrant immune system in atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis as a type I hypersensitivity: the role of mast cells, histamine, IgE, and leukotrienes

The role of dendritic cells

T cells: different populations and cytokine response

Summary of proposed pathogenesis

4: Allergens and environmental influence

Introduction

Sources of allergens

Environment and canine atopic dermatitis

Allergen specificities

Conclusion

5: The genetics of canine atopic dermatitis

Introduction

Investigating atopic dermatitis-associated genotypes

Genomic studies in canine atopic dermatitis

Conclusion

Glossary

6: Skin barrier and its role in the pathophysiology of atopic dermatitis

Introduction

Methods to determine impairment of barrier function of the canine skin

Extracellular lipids in the stratum corneum and atopic dermatitis

Current evidence for aberrant filaggrin expression in dogs with atopic dermatitis

Other barrier abnormalities in human atopic dermatitis

Future perspectives for the investigation of cutaneous barrier function in canine atopic dermatitis

7: The role of bacterial agents in the pathogenesis of canine atopic dermatitis

Introduction

Environmental exposure

The defective skin barrier

Bacterial virulence and the pathogenesis of canine pyoderma

Conclusion

8: The role of fungal agents in atopic dermatitis

Introduction

Overview of fungi in human and canine atopic dermatitis

Environmental fungal allergens in human atopic dermatitis

Environmental fungal allergens in canine atopic dermatitis

Dermatophytosis in human and canine atopic dermatitis

Malassezia yeasts in human atopic dermatitis

Malassezia yeasts in canine atopic dermatitis

Conclusion

9: Clinical signs of canine atopic dermatitis

Signalment of CAD dogs

History of canine atopic dermatitis dogs

Clinical signs of canine atopic dermatitis

Breed-associated phenotypes

10: Diagnosis of canine atopic dermatitis

The approach to the chronic pruritic dog

Establishing the diagnosis of CAD

Determining environmental allergens for CAD

Conclusion

11: Allergen avoidance

The role of indoor allergens

The role of outdoor allergens

Conclusion

12: Allergen-specific immunotherapy

Introduction

Mechanism of action

Selection of allergens

Conventional allergen-specific immunotherapy

Rush immunotherapy

Intralymphatic immunotherapy

Sublingual immunotherapy

Allergen-specific immunotherapy and concurrent drug therapy

13: Guidelines for symptomatic medical treatment of canine atopic dermatitis

An integrated approach to treatment

Managing acute flares of canine atopic dermatitis

Long-term management of chronic atopic dermatitis

14: Non-conventional treatments

Introduction

Pentoxifylline

Tacrolimus

Misoprostol

Chinese herbal medicine

Capsaicin

Leukotriene inhibitors

Serotonin uptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants

Probiotics

Therapy with helminths

Interferon-γ

Hardy kiwi preparation

Heat-killed Mycobacterium vaccae

Conclusion

Section 2: Food Hypersensitivity

15: The pathogenesis of food allergy

Introduction: lessons from human food allergy

What do we know about canine food allergy?

Conclusion

16: Cutaneous manifestations of food hypersensitivity

Historical perspective

Epidemiology

Sex, age (at onset), and breed predilection

Pruritus

Lesions and pattern of distribution

Otitis externa

Secondary skin diseases

Particular and rare dermatological signs

Gastrointestinal signs in dogs with skin disease

Other non-dermatological signs associated with skin disease

17: Adverse reactions to food: a gastroenterologist's perspective

Adverse food reactions

Epidemiology of adverse food reactions

Clinical presentation

Differential diagnoses

Diagnosis

18: Diagnostic workup of food hypersensitivity

Hypoallergenic diets

Invivo tests: intradermal testing and gastroscopy

Invitro tests

19: Long-term management of food hypersensitivity in the dog

Abbreviations

Introduction

Pragmatic considerations about diets for food hypersensitivity

Non-allergen aspects of the diet associated with clinical improvement

Alternative non-dietary treatments of food hypersensitivity

Sensitization to novel proteins

Eventual restoration of tolerance to allergens

Conclusions and recommendations

Section 3: Flea Bite Allergy

20: Flea biology and ecology

Introduction

Morphology

Distribution

Life cycle

Veterinary importance

Conclusion

21: The pathogenesis of flea bite allergy in dogs

Introduction

The flea allergen

The immunopathogenesis of FAD

Conclusion

22: Clinical signs of flea allergy dermatitis in dogs

Introduction

Is flea infestation easy to diagnose?

Is there a season for flea allergy dermatitis?

No epidemiological clues!

‘Classical lesions’ of flea allergy dermatitis

Pyotraumatic dermatitis

Urticaria

Atopic dermatitis flares

Fibropruritic nodules

Microbial infections

Differential diagnoses

23: Diagnostic investigation of canine flea bite allergy

Live flea challenge test

Intradermal testing

Serological testing

Histopathology

Conclusion

24: Implementing an effective flea control programme

Introduction

General control strategies and integrated flea control

Perceptions of reduced efficacy

Conclusion

25: Symptomatic relief for canine flea bite hypersensitivity

Antimicrobial agents

Glucocorticoids

Other systemic antipruritic drugs

Topical therapy

Immunotherapy

Conclusion

Section 4: Complicating Infections in Allergic Dogs

26: Complicating microbial skin infections in allergic dogs

Importance and prevalence

Pathogens

Clinical manifestations

Diagnostic approach

Therapy

Prevention

27: Otitis in the allergic dog

Introduction

The relationship of otitis to allergy

Clinical features of otitis in allergy

Management of otitis in allergic patients

Conclusion

Section 5: Other Allergic Diseases in Dogs

28: Contact allergy

Is it a rare disease?

Causes of contact allergy

Pathogenesis

Clinical presentation

Diagnosis

Management

29: Venomous insect hypersensitivity

Introduction

Pathogenesis

Treatment

30: Canine urticaria and angioedema

Introduction

Aetiology

Pathogenesis

History, clinical signs, and differential diagnosis

Diagnostic evaluation

Treatment

Part 2: Feline Allergy

Section 1: Cutaneous Allergy in Cats

31: Pathogenesis—immunopathogenesis

Genetic background

Feline skin barrier and exposure to allergens

Antigen-specific immunoglobulin E

Dendritic cells

T cells

Eosinophils

Mast cells

Role of microbial factors

32: Clinical presentations and specificity of feline manifestations of cutaneous allergies

Classical presentations of feline atopic-like disease and cutaneous adverse reactions to food: eosinophilic dermatitis, miliary dermatitis, self-induced alopecia, and head and neck pruritus

Signalment and history of cats with atopic-like disease and/or cutaneous adverse reactions to food

Classical presentations of atopic-like disease and cutaneous adverse reactions to food

Distribution patterns

Other signs

Specificity of reaction patterns

The specificity of feline manifestations of cutaneous allergy

33: Complications of cutaneous skin allergies (skin infections)

Introduction

Superficial bacterial infections

Superficial fungal infections

Viral infections

34: Diagnostic investigation of the allergic feline

Introduction

Key aspects of the history

Environmental allergy

35: Symptomatic treatments

Managing secondary pruritic conditions

Allergen avoidance

Medical management of cutaneous allergy

36: Allergen-specific immunotherapy

Principles and considerations for allergen-specific immunotherapy

Options for allergen-specific immunotherapy

Section 2: Feline Asthma

37: Feline asthma

Introduction

Immunopathology

Clinical presentation

Diagnosis

Treatment

Section 3: Flea Bite Allergy

38: Pathogenesis

Flea saliva

Allergenicity of flea saliva

Immune responses to flea saliva in cats and other species

39: Clinical presentations

Miliary dermatitis

Symmetrical alopecia

Head and neck excoriations

Eosinophilic granuloma complex

Other signs

40: Diagnostic workup

Live flea challenge test

Intradermal testing

Serological testing

Functional in vitro test

Histopathology

41: Therapy

Introduction

Main difficulties and pitfalls

Active ingredients and formulations

Recommendations

Section 4: Mosquito Bite Allergy

42: Mosquito bite

Pathogenesis

Clinical features

Diagnostic tests

Treatment

Part 3: Equine Allergy

Section 1: Culicoides Hypersensitivity and Other Insect Allergies

43: Pathogenesis and epidemiology of Culicoides hypersensitivity

Introduction

Epidemiology

Culicoides characteristics, life cycle, and breeding sites

Pathogenesis

Culicoides allergens

44: Equine immunoglobulin E

Structure and function of IgE

Antibodies for detection of equine IgE

IgE in Culicoides hypersensitivity

Conclusion

45: Clinical manifestations of Culicoides hypersensitivity

46: Culicoides hypersensitivity: diagnosis

Introduction

Allergy testing

Serum testing

Intradermal testing

Allergens sources

47: Culicoides hypersensitivity: therapy

Prevention of Culicoides hypersensitivity

Vaccinations

Environmental control

Insect control

Kairomones

Topical non-insecticide therapy

Systemic therapy

Conclusion

48: Other biting insect allergies

Introduction

Allergen material sources and characterization

Pathogenesis of biting insect hypersensitivity

Clinical signs

Differential diagnosis

Diagnosis

Diagnostic confirmation

Treatment

Selected biting Diptera

Section 2: Atopic Disease in Horses—Atopic Dermatitis and Food Hypersensitivity

49: Equine atopic dermatitis: pathogenesis

Defining atopic dermatitis

The evidence for atopic dermatitis in horses

Food allergy in horses as part of atopic diathesis

50: Clinical aspects of equine atopic disease

Introduction

History and signalment

Clinical lesions

Concurrent diseases

51: Equine urticaria

Overview

Mast cell degranulation

Acute versus chronic urticaria

Potential causes for and recommended approach to chronic or recurrent urticaria

Treatment of urticaria

52: Equine headshaking syndrome

Clinical syndrome

Causes of headshaking syndrome

53: Diagnostic workup of equine atopic disease

Introduction

Dermatopathology

IgE testing

Serum invitro testing

Intradermal testing

Adverse food reaction testing

54: Equine atopic disease symptomatic therapy and allergen-specific immunotherapy

Introduction

Avoidance

Elimination diet trials

Topical therapy

Systemic therapy

Section 3: Recurrent Airway Obstruction and Inflammatory Airway Disease

55: Recurrent airway obstruction and inflammatory airway disease

Pathogenesis

Clinical aspects and diagnosis

Further diagnostic investigation

Therapy

Section 4: Contact and Other Allergic Diseases

56: Equine allergic contact dermatitis

Pathogenesis

Clinical features

Diagnosis

Photohypersensitivity

Part 4: Allergy in Other Domestic Species

57: Immunopathogenesis of allergic skin disease in livestock

Introduction

The innate response

The adaptive response

58: Psoroptes ovis

Incidence and importance

Clinical signs

Pathology of primary infestations

Challenge infestations

Overview, including molecular aspects, of the immunopathogenesis of sheep scab

Diagnosis

Treatment and prevention

59: Allergic diseases of livestock species

Introduction

Camelids

Cattle

Goats

Pigs

Sheep

Flea bite hypersensitivity in livestock species

60: Allergies in birds

Feather-picking

Allergen testing in avian species

Treatment options

61: Allergic diseases in other pets (rodents, rabbits, and ferrets)

Respiratory disease

Gastrointestinal disease

Dermatological disease

Index

In memory of my dear colleague and friend Stefano Toma, who is greatly missed. (CN)

I dedicate this book to Susan Shaw in recognition of her great enthusiasm and ability to share with me, as for many vets, her considerable knowledge and understanding of veterinary medicine and dermatology. (AF)

To my cherished friend and mentor, Peter Ihrke, who first introduced me to this wonderful specialty and continues to be an inspiration to all. (WR)

This edition first published 2014

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Veterinary allergy / edited by Chiara Noli, Aiden Foster, Wayne Rosenkrantz.

pages cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-0-470-67241-9 (pbk. : alk. paper) – ISBN 978-1-118-73881-8 – ISBN 978-1-118-73889-4 (epub) – ISBN 978-1-118-73890-0 (emobi) – ISBN 978-1-118-73891-7 (epdf) 1. Allergy in dogs. 2. Allergy in cats. 3. Allergy in animals. I. Noli, Chiara, editor of compilation. II. Foster, Aiden P., editor of compilation. III. Rosenkrantz, Wayne, editor of compilation.

[DNLM: 1. Hypersensitivity–veterinary. 2. Allergens–immunology. 3. Dermatitis–veterinary. 4. Immune System Diseases–veterinary. 5. Veterinary Medicine–methods. SF 757.2]

SF992.A44V48 2014

636.089'6975–dc23

2013026498

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

Wiley also publishes its books in a variety of electronic formats. Some content that appears in print may not be available in electronic books.

Cover images: dog and horse – courtesy of Wayne Rosenkrantz; alpaca – courtesy of Natalie Jewell and the AHVLA library, Crown Copyright 2013; cat – courtesy of Karen Clifford; centre image – courtesy of Valerie A. Fadok

Cover design by Steve Thompson

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Wiley for taking on this publishing project and for bringing it to fruition so quickly and efficiently. We are particularly grateful to Rupert Cousens, Jessica Evans and Nancy Turner for setting up and running the project; to Elizabeth Paul and Ruth Swan for sorting out the production issues including copyediting and typesetting.

A book project of this size is time consuming for all concerned and as editors we have been delighted at the speed and enthusiasm of authors to provide their chapters and agree to revisions and changes. Inevitably the editing has taken us away from our families and everyday work, and we are grateful to our spouses for their support and understanding and to our colleagues for their patience and advice.

It has taken three years to bring the original concept to print, and we hope that readers will find this book useful; as editors it has been an enjoyable learning experience, working together and with the authors.

Contributors

Emmanuel Bensignor

Dermatology Referral Practice

Rennes-Cesson

France

Kerstin Bergvall

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Department of Clinical Sciences

Uppsala

Sweden

Ross Bond

Department of Clinical Sciences and Services

Royal Veterinary College

Hatfield

UK

Mona J. Boord

Animal Dermatology Clinic

San Diego, CA

USA

Stewart T.G. Burgess

Moredun Research Institute

Pentlands Science Park

Edinburgh, Midlothian

UK

Marie-Christine Cadiergues

Toulouse Veterinary School

Toulouse

France

Didier N. Carlotti

Service de Dermatologie

Aquivet Clinique Vétérinaire

Eysines, Bordeaux

France

Nick J. Cave

Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences

Massey University

Palmerston North

New Zealand

Michael J. Day

School of Veterinary Sciences

University of Bristol

Langford, North Somerset

UK

Douglas J. DeBoer

Department of Medical Sciences

School of Veterinary Medicine

University of Wisconsin–Madison

Madison, WI

USA

Alison B. Diesel

Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences

College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Texas A&M University

College Station, TX

USA

Michael W. Dryden

Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology

Kansas State University

Manhattan, KS

USA

Valerie A. Fadok

North Houston Veterinary Specialists

Spring, TX

USA

Claude Favrot

Vetsuisse Faculty

University of Zurich

Zurich

Switzerland

Aiden P. Foster

Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency

Shrewsbury

Shropshire

UK

Vinzenz Gerber

Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine (ISME)

Vetsuisse Faculty

University of Bern

and ALP-Haras Avenches

Switzerland

Paola Gianella

Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie

Università degli Studi di Torino

Grugliasco

Italy

Craig E. Griffin

Animal Dermatology Clinic

San Diego, CA

USA

Joya Griffin

Animal Dermatology Clinic

Louisville, KY

USA

Richard E.W. Halliwell

Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies

University of Edinburgh

Easter Bush Veterinary Centre

Roslin, Midlothian

UK

Bruce Hammerberg

Center for Comparative Medicine and Translational Research

College of Veterinary Medicine

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, NC

USA

Eman Hamza

Clinical Immunology Group

Department of Clinical Research and Veterinary Public Health

Vetsuisse Faculty

University of Bern

Bern

Switzerland

Peter Hill

Companion Animal Health Centre

School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences

University of Adelaide

Roseworthy, SA

Australia

Hilary A. Jackson

Dermatology Referral Service Ltd

Glasgow

UK

Janet D. Littlewood

Veterinary Dermatology Referrals

Landbeach, Cambridge

UK

David H. Lloyd

Department of Clinical Sciences and Services

Royal Veterinary College

Hatfield

UK

Anette Loeffler

Royal Veterinary College

University of London

London

UK

Dawn Logas

Veterinary Dermatology Center

Maitland, FL

USA

Gwendolen Lorch

The Ohio State University

College of Veterinary Medicine

Columbus, OH

USA

Rosanna Marsella

Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences

College of Veterinary Medicine

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL

USA

Eliane Marti

Clinical Immunology Group

Department of Clinical Research and Veterinary Public Health

Vetsuisse Faculty

University of Bern

Bern

Switzerland

Karen A. Moriello

Department of Medical Sciences

School of Veterinary Medicine

University of Wisconsin–Madison

Madison, WI

USA

Daniel O. Morris

School of Veterinary Medicine

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA

USA

Ralf S. Mueller

Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine

Ludwig Maximilian University

Munich

Germany

Masahiko Nagata

ASC Dermatology Service

Tokyo;

Synergy Animal General Hospital Dermatology Service

Saitama

Japan

Claudia S. Nett-Mettler

Vetderm.ch-Dermatologie und Allergologie fuer Tiere

c/o Ennetsee Klinik für Kleintiere AG

Huenenberg

Switzerland

Koji Nishifuji

Department of Veterinary Medicine

Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology

Fuchu, Tokyo

Japan

Chiara Noli

Servizi Dermatologici Veterinari

Peveragno

Italy

James O. Noxon

Hixson-Lied Small Animal Hospital

Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences

College of Veterinary Medicine

Iowa State University

Ames, IA

USA

Tim Nuttall

Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies

University of Edinburgh

Easter Bush Veterinary Centre

Roslin, Midlothian

UK

William E. Oldenhoff

Department of Medical Sciences

School of Veterinary Medicine

University of Wisconsin–Madison

Madison, WI

USA

Laura Ordeix

Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery

Veterinary School

Autonomous University of Barcelona;

Dermatology Service

Hospital Ars Veterinaria

Barcelona

Spain

Annette D. Petersen

Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences

College of Veterinary Medicine

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI

USA

Pascal Prélaud

Clinique Advetia

Paris

France

Chris Reeder

Animal Dermatology Clinic

Louisville, KY

USA

Carol R. Reinero

Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery

University of Missouri

Columbia, MO

USA

Petra J. Roosje

Division of Clinical Dermatology

Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine

Vetsuisse Faculty

University of Bern

Bern

Switzerland

Wayne Rosenkrantz

Animal Dermatology Clinic

Tustin, CA

USA

Edmund J. Rosser Jr

Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences

College of Veterinary Medicine

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI

USA

Ian Sayers

South Devon Exotics

Silverton Veterinary Practice Ltd

Paignton, Devon

UK

Harold C. Schott II

Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences

College of Veterinary Medicine

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI

USA

Adri van den Broek

Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies

University of Edinburgh

Easter Bush Veterinary Centre

Roslin, Midlothian

UK

Bettina Wagner

College of Veterinary Medicine

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY

USA

Stephen White

School of Veterinary Medicine

University of California

Davis, CA

USA

Anthony A. Yu

Yu of Guelph Veterinary Dermatology

Guelph Veterinary Specialty Hospital

Guelph, ON

Canada

Foreword

The term ‘allergy’ was introduced by the Austrian physician Clemens von Pirquet in 1906 [1], however with a somewhat different meaning to that of today. He was studying the immune response to tuberculosis and diphtheria, and was thus working at the interface between immunity and hypersensitivity. He proposed the use of the term ‘allergy’ to imply ‘altered reactivity’ in the host. Thus allergy was not a disease per se, but rather a state that would result in a hypersensitivity reaction if appropriately challenged. This concept was gradually discarded despite some attempts to keep it alive. Tremendous advances in the understanding of the science behind allergy in man—now used synonymously with hypersensitivity, were made between 1920 and 1940. Notable were the studies by Prausnitz and Küstner [2] who described the skin-sensitizing antibody that was responsible for many allergic reactions. Then in the 1930s Coca [3] introduced the term ‘atopy’ which was derived from the Greek and translated literally as ‘strange disease’, to encompass the triad of the familial diseases of allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis. They also applied the term ‘reagin’ to the skin-sensitizing antibody of Prausnitz and Küstner. Anyone who reads these early publications cannot but marvel at the painstaking and insightful work, undertaken without the aid of modern-day techniques and at the generally sound conclusions that were reached. The next major step forward was the demonstration by Ishizaka and colleagues that the reagin belonged to a hitherto undescribed antibody class that they termed ‘IgE’ [4].

Over the years, a wide range of diseases of man mediated by diverse immunological mechanisms were described that could be ascribed to hypersensitivity reactions; Gell and Coombs believed that it was necessary to introduce a system of classification [5]. They proposed four categories, namely Type 1 hypersensitivity (IgE mediated), Type 2 (cytotoxic), Type 3 (immune complex), and Type 4 (cell-mediated). Robin Coombs was in fact a veterinarian, and although he never practised, he was responsible for training a number of veterinary immunologists who passed through his laboratory in Cambridge. However useful this classification undoubtedly was, it has become clear that few allergic diseases are caused exclusively by one type of hypersensitivity and most result from a combination. In the last three decades, and aided by the advent of molecular biological techniques, the science of allergy has advanced exponentially to become a highly sophisticated science and a major branch of human medicine.

In contrast, veterinary allergy (now defined as ‘a hypersensitivity reaction initiated by a specific immunological response to an allergen and mediated by antibodies or cells’ [6]) was slower to emerge as a recognized discipline. In large measure this can be ascribed to fewer resources for research, but also to the fact that we are concerned with multiple species, each one of which requires the development of species-specific reagents. And, of course, no formal specialist status exists for the discipline in any country. Nonetheless, its importance in everyday veterinary practice is unquestioned—indeed it is unlikely that a day will pass by in the life of a busy practitioner, no matter what the species of emphasis, without allergy being involved in one or a number of cases.

Much of the early work on veterinary allergy was undertaken by physicians who were largely concerned with the characterisation of potential animal models for allergic diseases of man. The lack of full veterinary involvement did lead to some incorrect deductions—including one that what we now know as canine atopic dermatitis was primarily a respiratory disease, with any dermatological signs being of secondary significance [7]. But the last three decades have witnessed significant advances, all of which are detailed in this text. These have been the result of single individuals or small groups who have made in-depth studies of systems in specific species of veterinary interest. These advances however have been patchy, rather than on a broad front, and significant knowledge gaps still exist in some major body systems of important species.

The current state of knowledge on this increasingly important subject is beautifully described in this, the first truly comprehensive text of allergic diseases affecting the major veterinary species. It will be an invaluable guide to students, clinicians and researchers alike. However, most importantly, whilst it quite naturally concentrates on what is known, it also draws attention to what is not yet known. In so doing it will hopefully provide the necessary stimulus for future research so that this fascinating subject will continue to advance.

Richard E.W. Halliwell

Edinburgh, 2013

References

1. Von Pirquet C. Allergie. Munchener Medizinische Wochenschrift 1906; 53: 1457–1458.

2. Prausnitz C, Küstner H. Studien über Uberempfindlicht. Centrablatt Bakteriologie 1921; 86: 160–169.

3. Coca AF. Specific sensitiveness as a cause of symptoms in disease. Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine 1930; 6: 593–604.

4. Ishizaka K, Ishizaka T. Identification of gamma-E-antibodies as a carrier of reaginic activity. Journal of Immunology 1967; 99: 1187–1198.

5. Coombs RRA, Gell PGH. Classification of allergic reactions responsible for clinical hypersensitivity and disease. In: Gell PGH, Coombs RRA, eds. Clinical Aspects of Immunology. Oxford: Blackwell Scientific, 1975: 761–770.

6. Halliwell R, and the International Task Force on Atopic Dermatitis. Revised nomenclature for veterinary allergy. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 2006; 114: 207–208.

7. Patterson R, Sparks DB. The passive transfer to normal dogs of skin reactivity, asthma and anaphylaxis from a dog with spontaneous ragweed pollen hypersensitivity. Journal of Immunology 1962; 88: 262–268.

Introduction: the immunological basis of allergic diseases

Michael J. Day

School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Langford, North Somerset, UK

Introduction

In 1963, P.G.H. Gell and R.A.A. Coombs published their seminal text Clinical Aspects of Immunology, in which they described and classified immunological hypersensitivity reactions [1]. The Gell and Coombs classification of hypersensitivity remains the cornerstone for modern human and veterinary clinical immunology. It is significant that Robin Coombs (1921–2006), one of the founding fathers of this discipline, was a veterinary surgeon [2].

Hypersensitivity, as described classically, involves the immunological sensitization of an individual (man or animal) by repeated exposure to the causative antigen (allergen) over time. A sensitized individual may, on subsequent exposure to the allergen, react in an immunologically excessive or inappropriate manner, leading to tissue pathology and clinical changes of hypersensitivity or allergic disease. The allergens involved are often ubiquitous environmental substances to which only genetically susceptible individuals will react in an inappropriate fashion.

The Gell and Coombs classification describes four major forms of hypersensitivity reaction [1]:

1 type I (immediate) hypersensitivity involving tissue inflammation mediated by mast cell degranulation subsequent to cross-linking of surface membrane immunoglobulin (Ig) E molecules by allergen;

2 type II (cytotoxic) hypersensitivity involving destruction of a target cell via the effects of antibody (generally IgG or IgM) and molecules of the complement pathway;

3 type III (immune complex) hypersensitivity in which immune complexes of antigen and antibody form locally in tissue (when antibody is in excess) or circulate systemically (when antigen is in excess), leading to local or multisystemic inflammatory pathology; and