Faecal IgA but not salivary IgA is associated with canine atopic dermatitis.

Dogs with atopic dermatitis have significantly lower faecal IgA, suggesting gut mucosal immunity may influence allergen sensitisation.

This study investigated immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels in faeces and saliva of dogs with canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) compared to healthy breed-matched controls over four years of age with no history of skin disease. Saliva was collected using chewable synthetic swabs with centrifugal extraction, while faecal samples were homogenised in phosphate buffered saline and centrifuged to obtain supernatant. Total IgA concentrations were measured using a commercial canine IgA ELISA kit with a six-point standard curve, and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for statistical comparisons. The key finding was that faecal IgA was significantly lower in CAD-affected dogs compared to controls, with a median difference of 0.803 g/L (95% CI 0.064–1.721). In contrast, salivary IgA did not differ significantly between groups (median difference 0.108 g/L). Faecal and salivary IgA concentrations were not correlated with one another, suggesting they reflect distinct immunological compartments. Notably, no dogs in either group demonstrated concurrently low faecal and salivary IgA, making selective IgA deficiency an unlikely confounder. These findings corroborate existing literature linking reduced IgA to CAD and suggest that the gut mucosal immune system may play a role in the development of tolerance or hypersensitivity to food and environmental allergens. The authors propose that further research is needed to clarify the mechanistic role of faecal IgA in allergen sensitisation, which could inform preventative strategies in predisposed breeds.

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