Induction of atopic dermatitis by epicutaneous sensitisation with Dermatophagoides farinae in nongenetically predisposed Beagle dogs

This study was performed to induce atopic dermatitis (AD) using nongenetically predisposed Beagle dogs. Five healthy Beagle dogs were used. Twice weekly for 12 weeks, the dogs were painted on the axillae and groin with a solution of Dermatophagoides farinae (D. farinae). Each dog was thereafter placed in a cage where a house dust mite (HDM) solution was applied on the bottom of the cage. The dog remained in the cage for 3 h daily for 3 consecutive days for the environmental exposure to HDM. Serum samples were collected at 0 week and 6 weeks after sensitisation, and at 0 h and 72 h after the environmental exposure. During the environmental exposure, skin biopsies were obtained at 0 h, 36 h, and 72 hours. After the first environmental exposure, no dog had any marked clinical sign. An additional sensitisation was subsequently administered for 10–13 weeks. Three of the five dogs developed pruritic dermatitis with skin lesions after the second exposure. The histopathology of the lesions revealed severe infiltration of inflammatory cells and dermal oedema. The levels of D. farinae-specific IgE were also elevated. This study demonstrated that AD could be induced by epicutaneous sensitisation with HDM in nongenetically predisposed dogs.

AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF SHITPITTA W.S.R. TO URTICARIA- A CASE REPORT

Urticaria is an allergic reaction of the skin to a variety of exogenous and endogenous antigens. It is a common disease nowadays, characterized by pale red rashes and severe itching caused by an allergic reaction. Vascular dilatation, the resultant dermal oedema and pruritis are due to the releases of histamine and other mediators from mast cells. Ayurvedic classics mentioned this similar condition as shitpitta, among twakroga which is vaatpradhan tridosha in nature. Symptoms mentioned by aacharyas are shotha, toda, kandu and daha. Even after the availability of newer medicine, there is a lack of promising results against this ailment. Moreover, the use of drugs like antihistamines and corticosteroids lead to various side effects. The study aims to evaluate the effect of ayurvedic treatment in the management of shitpitta with special reference to urticaria. This study deals with a case of chronic urticaria, where a male patient was given an ayurvedic therapy which included shodhan-shamanaushadi and sthanik treatment on an OPD basis for 3 months. Criteria’s like shotha, toda, kandu and daha were assessed before and after the treatment & significant result was found. The conclusion was drawn that given ayurvedic therapy was found to be significantly effective in the management of urticaria. Keywords: Shitpitta, Twakroga, Urticaria, Shodhan, Shamana

The effects of intradermal M. bovis and M. avium PPD test on immune-related mRNA and miRNA in dermal oedema exudates of water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

Tuberculosis (TB) is a zoonotic disease primarily caused by pathogens belonging to the genus of Mycobacterium. Programs of control and eradication for bovine TB include a screening using single intradermal tuberculin (SIT) test with Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis)-purified protein derivatives (PPD-B) single or concurrent with Mycobacterium avium (M. avium)-purified protein derivatives (PPD-A). This study aimed to determine the effects of intradermal PPD-B and PPD-A test on immune-related mRNA and microRNAs in dermal oedema exudates of water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). The investigation was carried out on RNA extracted from dermal oedema exudates of 36 animals, of which 24 were M. bovis positive (M. bovis+) and 12 M. avium positive (M. avium+). The lymphocyte polarization toward Th1, Th2, TReg, and Th17 lineages was addressed by measuring the abundance of the respective cytokines and transcription factors, namely TBET, STAT4, IFNγ, and IL1β for Th1; STAT5B, and IL4 for Th2; FOXP3 and IL10 for TReg; and RORC, STAT3, and IL17A for Th17. Due to the very low abundance of Th17-related genes, a digital PCR protocol was also applied. The abundance of microRNAs involved in the immune response against PPDs, including miR-122-5p, miR-148a-3p, miR30a, and miR-455-5p, was equally measured. Results showed that IFNγ (fold change = 2.54; p = 0.037) and miR-148a-3p (fold change = 2.54; p = 0.03) were upregulated in M. bovis+ as compared to M. avium+ samples. Our preliminary results supported the pivotal role of IFNγ in the local immune response related to PPD-B and highlighted the differential expression of miR-148a-3p, which downregulates the proinflammatory cytokines and the TLR4-mediated NF-κB activation, providing an anti-inflammation modulator in responses to mycobacterial infection.

Histopathology of Anilocra leptosoma Bleeker, 1857 (Isopoda, Cymothoidae) Infestation on Its New Host Nematalosa nasus (Bloch, 1795) From India

Cymothoid isopods are parasitic crustaceans that cause serious impact on marine fish and might lead to fish mortality and consequently, economic losses. Histopathological alterations caused by Anilocra spp. have not been studied well. This study aims to report the histopathological changes caused by Cymothoid, Anilocra leptosoma Bleeker, 1857 in the skin of Bloch's gizzard shad, Nematalosa nasus (Bloch, 1795). Histopathological examination of processed skin tissues showed changes caused by A. leptosoma, such as hyperplasia and erosions of the epidermis associated dermal oedema and muscle degeneration. The host response also included an aggregation of subepithelial dense sheets of hemosiderin-laden macrophages within the dense mixed inflammatory cells. The cymothoid, A. leptosoma are serious parasites of marine fish that can cause severe economic loss in the commercially important fish species. The present study represents the first record of the parasitic cymothoid, A. leptosoma on N. nasus from India.

Development of Pranoprofen Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers to Improve Its Release and Therapeutic Efficacy in Skin Inflammatory Disorders

Pranoprofen (PF)-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), prepared using a high-pressure homogenization method, have been optimized and characterized to improve the biopharmaceutical profile of the drug. The optimized PF-NLCs exhibited physicochemical characteristics and morphological properties that were suitable for dermal application. Stability assays revealed good physical stability, and the release behavior of PF from these NLCs showed a sustained release pattern. Cell viability results revealed no toxicity. Ex vivo human skin permeation studies in Franz diffusion cells were performed to determine the influence of different skin penetration enhancers (pyrrolidone, decanol, octanoic acid, nonane, menthone, squalene, linoleic acid, and cineol) on skin penetration and retention of PF, being the highest dermal retention in the presence of linoleic acid. The selected formulations of NLCs exhibited a high retained amount of PF in the skin and no systemic effects. In vivo mice anti-inflammatory efficacy studies showed a significant reduction in dermal oedema. NLCs containing linoleic acid presented better anti-inflammatory efficacy by decreasing the production of interleukins in keratinocytes and monocytes. The biomechanical properties of skin revealed an occlusive effect and no hydration power. No signs of skin irritancy in vivo were detected. According to these results, dermal PF-NLCs could be an effective system for the delivery and controlled release of PF, improving its dermal retention, with reduced dermal oedema as a possible effect of this drug.