@article{levy_linder_mamo_herrmann_bizikova_2020, title={Cutaneous polyautoimmunity in two unrelated dogs: pemphigus foliaceus and generalized discoid lupus erythematosus}, volume={31}, ISSN={["1365-3164"]}, DOI={10.1111/vde.12851}, abstractNote={BackgroundPolyautoimmunity, the concurrent expression of two or more distinct autoimmune diseases (ADs) in a single individual, is a known phenomenon in humans and has been rarely reported in dogs. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, comorbid pemphigus foliaceus (PF) and generalized discoid lupus erythematosus (GDLE) has not been reported in dogs.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo describe the clinical, histological and immunological features and treatment outcome of two unrelated dogs with comorbid PF and GDLE.AnimalsOne 10‐year‐old, spayed German shepherd dog and one 8‐year‐old, castrated American Staffordshire terrier presented for evaluation of a symmetrical, facial‐ and/or pedal‐dominant pustular dermatitis with concurrent, truncal scaly plaques.MethodsFor each dog, clinicopathological characterization included physical examination, lesion cytological evaluation, bacterial culture and sensitivity testing, skin histopathological investigation and direct and indirect immunofluorescence testing. Additional diagnostic imaging and haematological testing was performed to exclude extracutaneous disease.ResultsBoth dogs exhibited lesions clinically and histologically compatible with PF and GDLE. Moreover, one dog exhibited generalized leucotrichia and chronic superficial keratitis. Remission was achieved with immunosuppressive dosages of prednisolone [high‐dose pulse (Case 1) or standard immunosuppressive dosage (Case 2)] and ciclosporin (5–6 mg/kg/day). Tissue‐bound antikeratinocyte immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgM were detected in both dogs. A weak basement membrane zone deposit of C3 was seen in one dog. Circulating antikeratinocyte and anti‐desmocollin‐1 IgG were detected in one dog.Conclusions and clinical importanceCutaneous polyautoimmunity can occur in the dog. Depending on the specific disease combinations, overlapping clinical features may present diagnostic and/or therapeutic challenges. Moreover, these cases should be monitored for development of additional cutaneous or extra‐cutaneous AD(s).}, number={4}, journal={VETERINARY DERMATOLOGY}, author={Levy, Britt J. and Linder, Keith E. and Mamo, Lisa B. and Herrmann, Ina and Bizikova, Petra}, year={2020}, month={Aug}, pages={325-+} }
 @article{levy_mamo_bizikova_2020, title={Detection of circulating anti-keratinocyte autoantibodies in feline pemphigus foliaceus}, volume={31}, ISSN={["1365-3164"]}, DOI={10.1111/vde.12861}, abstractNote={BackgroundCirculating anti‐keratinocyte immunoglobulin (Ig)G targeting desmosomal proteins have been identified in people and dogs with pemphigus foliaceus (PF). By contrast, detection attempts in PF‐affected cats have been largely unsuccessful.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo detect circulating anti‐keratinocyte autoantibodies in PF‐affected cats and determine their titres and tissue‐staining patterns.AnimalsThirty PF‐affected cats were compared to 11 specific‐pathogen free, 15 healthy and 31 allergic cats.Methods and materialsSera were tested by indirect immunofluorescence on canine footpad and buccal mucosal substrates.ResultsCirculating, anti‐keratinocyte IgG with a suprabasilar, web‐like (intercellular) pattern were detected in the majority of PF‐affected cats (23 of 30, 77%), some allergic cats (six of 31, 19%) and one healthy cat (7%). Both footpad epidermis and buccal mucosa were positive in the majority of seropositive PF‐affected cats (21 of 23, 91%), and in only one of six (17%) seropositive allergic cats. Staining was limited to the footpad in the remaining seropositive PF‐affected and allergic cats and one seropositive healthy cat. Reciprocal IgG titres were significantly higher in PF‐affected cats compared to controls (Dunn’s post‐test, P < 0.0001). Anti‐keratinocyte IgM, IgA or IgE were not detected in any sera.Conclusions and clinical importanceThese results confirm the presence of circulating anti‐keratinocyte IgG in a majority of PF‐affected cats and in a small percentage of healthy and allergic cats. Although the molecular target and pathogenic nature of the antibodies remains unknown, the detection of positive immunostaining on buccal mucosal tissue, in addition to the footpad, suggests that the major target antigen of feline PF differs from that reported in dogs.}, number={5}, journal={VETERINARY DERMATOLOGY}, author={Levy, Britt J. and Mamo, Lisa B. and Bizikova, Petra}, year={2020}, month={Oct}, pages={378-+} }
 @article{high_linder_mamo_levy_herrmann_bizikova_2020, title={Rapid response of hyperkeratotic erythema multiforme to oclacitinib in two dogs}, volume={31}, ISSN={["1365-3164"]}, DOI={10.1111/vde.12852}, abstractNote={BackgroundHyperkeratotic erythema multiforme (HKEM) is a clinically distinct dermatosis and poorly characterized syndrome, comprised of hyperkeratotic plaques with variable symmetry and apoptosis similar to “classic” erosive canine EM. Hyperkeratotic EM has a protracted clinical course and, although treatments with glucocorticoids, azathioprine and/or ciclosporin have been tried, rates of remission are low.ObjectivesTo describe successful treatment of HKEM in two dogs using oclacitinib.AnimalsA 7‐year‐old, spayed Havanese dog (Case 1) and a 1‐year‐old, intact cryptorchid Dachshund dog (Case 2).MethodsCase characterization and clinical diagnoses were based on lesion character, surgical biopsy, cytological evaluation, culture, direct immunofluorescence (DIF) and expected responses to treatments.ResultsBoth cases exhibited multifocal, often symmetrical hyperkeratotic plaques with adherent scale. Histological findings revealed prominent epidermal hyperplasia, parakeratotic hyperkeratosis, lymphocytic dermatitis and transepidermal apoptosis with lymphocytic satellitosis. DIF revealed fine, patchy IgG, IgM and IgA basement membrane deposits (Case 2). Both dogs exhibited rapid improvement with oral oclacitinib (0.6–0.9 mg/kg twice daily) with a complete remission of clinical signs observed in 12 and seven weeks in cases 1 and 2, respectively.Conclusion and Clinical ImportanceOclacitinib could be considered as a fast‐acting and effective treatment option for HKEM in dogs.}, number={4}, journal={VETERINARY DERMATOLOGY}, author={High, Endya J. and Linder, Keith E. and Mamo, Lisa B. and Levy, Britt J. and Herrmann, Ina and Bizikova, Petra}, year={2020}, month={Aug}, pages={330-+} }
 @article{levy_linder_olivry_2019, title={The role of oclacitinib in the management of ischaemic dermatopathy in four dogs}, volume={30}, ISBN={1365-3164}, ISSN={0959-4493 1365-3164}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/vde.12743}, DOI={10.1111/vde.12743}, abstractNote={BackgroundIschaemic dermatopathy represents a heterogenous and poorly‐characterized canine syndrome that is often refractory to conventional immunosuppression. Janus‐kinase inhibitors (JAKinibs) are used for the treatment of various human autoimmune diseases, including dermatomyositis. Oclacitinib is a generally well‐tolerated, veterinary‐approved, nonselective JAKinib that has therapeutic potential as an immunosuppressant.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo describe four cases of treatment refractory juvenile‐onset ischaemic dermatopathy that rapidly and durably responded to oclacitinib administration.AnimalsFour mixed‐breed dogs, three 9‐month‐old male littermates and one 6‐month‐old female, were presented for generalized patchy alopecia, scarring and ulcerative dermatitis. Microscopic skin lesions were consistent with a severe ischaemic dermatopathy.Methods and materialsA complete remission of skin lesions could not be achieved in any dog with glucocorticoids alone, nor when these were combined with adjuvant immunosuppressants. Oclacitinib treatment was then initiated at the dosage of 0.4‐0.7 mg/kg twice daily, along with a tapering regimen of oral prednisolone.ResultsA full clinical remission was achieved within four weeks of starting this combination therapy, with prednisolone being stopped within eight weeks thereof. Remission was maintained in two dogs with lower doses or dosing frequencies of oclacitinib, whereas the two others required persistent twice daily administration of this JAKinib.Conclusions and clinical importanceOclacitinib was a useful immunosuppressive adjuvant to oral glucocorticoids for the treatment of refractory or severe cases of ischaemic dermatopathy in these four dogs. Such observation warrants further studies of the safety, efficacy and mechanism of action of oclacitinib as an immunosuppressant.}, number={3}, journal={Veterinary Dermatology}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Levy, Britt J. and Linder, Keith E. and Olivry, Thierry}, year={2019}, month={Apr}, pages={201–e63} }
 @article{levy_deboer_2018, title={A preliminary study of serum IgE against cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants (CCD) in client-owned atopic dogs}, volume={29}, ISSN={["1365-3164"]}, DOI={10.1111/vde.12529}, abstractNote={BackgroundCross‐reactive carbohydrate determinants (CCD) are defined carbohydrate portions of glycoprotein cell surface molecules common to many plant and insect species. Mammalian species recognize CCD as foreign antigens and can mount humoral immune responses against them. Approximately 20–37% of grass and venom allergic people possess circulating IgE against CCD; these antibodies are generally considered clinically irrelevant. Anti‐CCD IgE is, however, recognized as a cause of false positive, clinically incongruent serum allergen test results in people; this phenomenon has not been investigated in animals.ObjectiveTo determine if anti‐CCD IgE could be detected in sera of client‐owned atopic dogs and how frequently it is found.AnimalsSera from 38 dogs with a clinical diagnosis of atopic dermatitis and prior serological evidence of IgE antibodies, defined as a positive result to at least one mite and pollen (of any type).MethodsSera were analysed for IgE against CCD and environmental allergens with a commercially available multiplex enzyme‐labelled allergen‐specific IgE assay.ResultsAnti‐CCD IgE was detected in nine of 38 (24%) of atopic dog sera. As with their human counterparts, all dogs with anti‐CCD IgE had strong serological reactivity to grass pollens.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceAnti‐CCD IgE can confound serological allergen testing in people; the same might be true in dogs. Further studies are warranted to investigate the clinical implications of anti‐CCD IgE in dogs, including the potential for these antibodies to affect serum allergen‐specific IgE assays used for clinical diagnosis, and whether they are relevant to clinical disease.}, number={3}, journal={VETERINARY DERMATOLOGY}, author={Levy, Britt J. and DeBoer, Douglas J.}, year={2018}, month={Jun}, pages={243-+} }