Unit 2: Atopy Pharmacology Flashcards
Atopy is AKA as _____ _____.
atopic dermatitis
What is atopy?
Genetically predisposed inflammatory and pruritic allergic skin disease with characteristic clinical features associated with IgE, most commonly directed against environmental allergens.
Up to ___% of the population has atopy.
10
What is the age of onset of atopy?
6 months to 3 years
What are the breed dispositions for atopy?
Frenchies, terriers, retrievers, bulldogs, GSD
(but any dog at any age can develop it)
What are common clinical signs of atopy?
Pruritus, otitis externa, hot spots, acral lick dermatitis, hives (rare), recurring skin infections, alopecia, +/- lichenification
T/F: There is no definitive test for atopy.
True
Do allergy tests diagnose or confirm atopy?
No
What are Favrot’s Criteria?
(There are 8 of them)
- Age of onset <3 yo
- Dog kept mostly indoors
- Pruritus is steroid responsive
- Pruritus was first symptom
- Affected front paws
- Affected ear pinnae
- Non-affected ear margins
- Non-affected dorsolumbar region
How many of Favrot’s criteria does a dog usually have to assume it is mostl likely atopy?
5
What type of diagnosis is atopy?
diagnosis of exclusion
What are the 4 major causes of allergy?
Fleas, parasite hypersensitivity, cutaneous adverse food reaction, canine atopy
What is the #1 reason for dogs to be itchy?
Fleas (C. felis)
What parasites are likely to causes hypersensitivity?
Scabies and Cheyletiella
What is the BASIC mechanism for allergy?
Allergen enters the system –> allergen binds IgE –> IgE binds mast cells –> allergic response
What are the predominant cell types in atopy?
lymphocytes and langerhans cells
What type of lymphocytes are involved in atopy?
Th1, Th2, Treg
What are some other cell types involved in atopy?
Mast cells, eosinophils, neutrophils, keratinocytes
What composes the barrier function of the skin?
Lipid lamellae surrounded by keratinocytes - composed of ceramides, 3 FAs, and cholesterol
What does the barrier function of atopic patients look like?
There are holes in the lipid lamellae
What are the components of the swiss cheese atopy comparison?
- Keratinocytes are active in the immune
- Ceramides are deficient
- Filaggrin is mutated
- Increased water loss
What cytokine stimulates itch?
IL-31
What is the most important aspect of management?
Client education
What supportive care can we give atopic patients?
antihistamines, FFAs, bathing and barrier care






