Acute Phase Response with Special Reference to C-Reactive Protein in Dogs with Generalized Demodicosis

Background: Canine demodicosis is an inflammatory parasitic skin disease associated with the presence of excessive numbers of Demodex mites. The pathogenesis involving demodicosis is not completely recognized. It is suggested that demodicosis occurs because of the inability of the host to regulate mite intensity, rather than from an elevation of the mite virulence. The acute phase response is a part of the innate defence system of the host against trauma, inflammation, and infection. Some of the cytokines involved in pathogenic phenomena in canine demodicosis are known as inducers of the acute phase response. Among the large group of acute phase reactants, C-reactive protein (CRP) may have special attention in canine demodicosis, because of its relationship with cytokines involved in the development of skin inflammation. In this study we sought to elucidate the relationship between generalized demodicosis and the serum concentration CRP in dogs. Materials, Methods & Results: Twenty two dogs (n = 14 demodicosis, n = 8 healthy), enrolled in the study were recruited from the dogs referred to 5 different veterinary practices participated. Dogs of various breed, both sexes, entire/neutered were included in the study on the basis of being Demodex canis mite positive on microscopic examination of skin scrapings. Cytological examination of the skin scraping showed no yeast nor bacteria. The animals exhibited at least one of the following clinical signs of generalized demodicosis: presence of = 5 spot lesions, involvement of = 25% of the dog’s face or of its body surface, pododemodicosis involving two or more feet. None of the dogs completing the study had been treated with ectoparasiticides or steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the last 30 days before the onset of the study. Plasma CRP concentration was determined using commercial ELISA test kit and an ELISA reader according to the manufacturer instructions. Statistical analysis were performed by Mann-Whitney U test. P values of less than 0.05 were regarded as significant. Serum CRP concentration was significantly higher in dogs with generalized demodicosis compared to those of control dogs Discussion: The present study presents for the first time a survey of the acute phase protein expression regarding CRP in serum of dogs affected by demodicosis. Results indicated that the concentration of investigated, including serum CRP, significantly increased in infected dogs. From a clinical perspective, acute phase protein measurement is a useful clinical tool in veterinary medicine but further studies are required to assure their value in particular diseases, because the acute phase response shows variation in different species and pathological processes. The mean plasma levels of the C-reactive protein measured in the peripheral blood of the 14 dogs included in the present study with generalised demodicosis were significantly elevated compared to those of the healthy controls. The results indicated that in generalised demodicosis acute phase response can be mobilized. According to results of this study, we thought that Demodectic mite may have the potential to stimulate an inflammatory response in dogs with generalized demodicosis. This information provides a remarkable potential for use in clinical practice for dogs, hence these biological markers may be very useful for the early diagnosis of inflammation due to the demodectic mange. Although the numbers of dogs investigated in this study was small, CRP concentration could be beneficial in monitoring the response to treatment in dogs with generalized demodicosis. Further studies are warranted for evaluating the clinical usage of this parameter for monitoring the efficacy of therapy in dogs with demodicosis.