Successful immunotherapy of canine flea allergy with injected Actinomycetales preparations

Abstract

Aims: Can heat-killed, borate-buffered suspensions of Gordonia bronchialis, Rhodococcus coprophilus or Tsukamurella inchonensis be used to treat canine flea allergy? Materials & methods: Organisms cultured on Sauton’s medium into stationary phase were autoclaved in borate-buffered saline and stored at 10 mg wet weight/ml. Intradermal injections of 0.1 ml containing 1 mg of bacilli were administered on the first and 20th days of the study. G. bronchialis and R. coprophilus were most effective in a pilot study of a small number of dogs with flea allergy. A larger number of affected dogs were then randomized to receive placebo or either of the two selected reagents. The extent and severity of allergic signs and symptoms were scored and blood samples were collected just before the first injection and 28 days after the second. Results: Both selected reagents reduced the extent and severity of lesions (p < 0.001) and reduced scratching. Eosinophil numbers were reduced (p < 0.0001) between the first and second assessment. Conclusions: Injections of G. bronchialis or R. coprophilus effectively reduce the signs and symptoms of flea allergy in dogs.