ESVD Research Grants
The ESVD research grants
These grants will be awarded by the ESVD for basic or clinical research in veterinary dermatology. Applicants will be expected to propose a project of scientific merit that is applicable to veterinary dermatology. The projects are expected to be of one to two year’s duration. Preference will be given to novel proposals including the development of pilot studies, but applications of ongoing research work will be also considered.
- Research proposals together with a separate curriculum vitae of each of the principal investigators should be submitted by April 1st 2026 midnight CET to publications-grants@esvd.org
- Additional information about the application can be found here
Please send your complete application to publications-grants@esvd.org
Types of research grants
two MAJOR GRANTs - €15,000
for an outstanding advanced research project
two MINOR GRANTs- €8,000
for a starting researcher or private practicioner
Selection Process
Grants are evaluated by the grant awarding committee on scientific merit, feasibility, and usefulness. The successful applicant(s) will be informed as soon as a decision has been reached and the successful project applications are announced at the following AGM of the Society.
Conditions
Annual progress reports are required and should be submitted to the current secretary at least 30 days before the Society’s AGM. Successful applicants are encouraged to submit their results for publication in the Journal of Veterinary Dermatology and to present their findings to ESVD members at the annual congress. Payment of the grant will be made into a special account and a budget report will be required by the ESVD Treasurer at the end of the study. Any funds not spent must be returned to the ESVD The funds cannot be used for travel and accommodation at the meeting but purely for research. However, the principal awardee is entitled to one free registration at any annual ESVD congress (this does not include the WCVD) at which he or she will present data generated as a result of the grant.
Information about grants awarded
The ESVD Research grants 2025 were awarded the following researchers:
Major grant 2025:
- Stefan Hobi: "Fungal skin disease – Prevalence and significance of antifungal resistant Malassezia yeasts in cats with otitis externa and dermatitis"
- Laura Schäfer et al: “External ear canal evaluation in atopic dogs with bilateral Malassezia spp. otitis externa.”
Minor grant 2025:
- Costanza Spadini et al : “Break the MalAzole: Investigating Azole Breakpoints for Malassezia pachydermatis in Canine Infections”
Presentations of the 2025 grants:
Abstract
Malassezia pachydermatis (MP) is a yeast found on mammalian skin, where it acts as both a commensal and a pathogen, particularly in dogs. It is associated with inflammatory conditions such as Malassezia-associated dermatitis (MAD) and otitis externa (MAO). Several factors, including breed, climate, and preexisting skin disorders, predispose animals to infection. Azole antifungals are the most commonly used treatments, but emerging resistance, particularly to azoles, poses a challenge to effective therapy. Despite its zoonotic potential and reported resistance to azoles, MP is not currently listed in the World Health Organization’s Fungal Priority Pathogens List. This highlights the need for better diagnostic methods and treatment strategies.
Recent advances in molecular diagnostics have improved the detection of MP infections, but the absence of standardized antifungal susceptibility testing methods complicates the assessment of resistance profiles. Current susceptibility testing protocols, such as those developed by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) and the European Committee on Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST), are not standardized for MP due to its lipid dependency, clusterization and slow growth in broth media. Alternative media and methods have been proposed for testing MP, though further validation is required.
Resistance mechanisms in MP include mutations in the ERG11 gene, which encodes the enzyme targeted by azoles, and enhanced efflux pump activity. Mutations like A302T, G459D, and G461D in the ERG11 gene have been linked to reduced susceptibility to azoles, underscoring the need to better understand these mechanisms to improve treatment options. Studies suggest that the combination of azoles and immunosuppressants could help reverse resistance in certain resistant strains, while simultaneously allowing for the differentiation of various resistance types. Specifically, this combination would enable a more detailed examination of the role of efflux pumps, thereby providing insights into the underlying resistance mechanism involved.
This study aims to address this gap by evaluating the azole susceptibility of clinical MP isolates from dogs with MAD or MAO in Northern Italy. Approximately 300 dogs will be enrolled, and the study will use PCR to identify yeast samples and determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) for six azoles through broth microdilution. Key metrics such as MIC50, MIC90, and modal MIC values will be calculated to characterize the resistance profiles. To interpret the MIC results, different systems for classifying antifungal susceptibility (EUCAST and CLSI) will be compared, and Cohen’s Kappa statistical test will be used to assess the concordance between the systems. To explore the underlying resistance mechanisms, efflux pump activity (using cyclosporin A) will be tested in phenotypically resistant strains. If efflux pump activity is not implicated, sequencing of the ERG11 gene will be conducted to detect mutations associated with resistance.
Ethical considerations will be adhered to, and only privately owned dogs will be included in the study. Informed consent will be obtained from the dog owners, ensuring compliance with ethical standards for animal research.
The ESVD Research grants 2024 were awarded the following researchers:
Major grants 2024:
- Tim Nuttall, Manolis Sardiomichelakis and team "Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial on the medication sparing effect of subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy with aqueous allergens in dogs with atopic dermatitis"
- Chiara Brachelente and team "Unravelling Canine Melanocyte Diversity: A Single-Cell Sequencing Exploration Across Body Regions"
Minor grants 2024:
- Laura Ordeix and team. "Clinical, dermatopathological and immunopatholigical characterization of ischemic dermatopathy in dogs with leishmaniosis"
- Lucia Panakova and team. "Iron metabolism in cats with atopic skin syndrome compared to healthy privately-owned cats"
Presentations of the 2024 grants:
"Unravelling Canine Melanocyte Diversity: A Single-Cell Sequencing Exploration Across Body Regions" Chiara Brachelente and team
In recent years, the characterization of melanocyte populations in skin and mucosal sites has significantly contributed to our understanding of melanocyte biology and pathology, particularly in human medicine. While, similar efforts have been made in veterinary medicine, particularly in dogs, there are still numerous unanswered questions regarding the biology of canine melanocytes. Melanocytic diseases indeed remain a significant concern in veterinary medicine and are characterized by distinct phenotypic presentation. Additionally, the site-specific incidence of canine melanomas in the skin and oral mucosa presents an intriguing area of investigation, given the aggressive behaviour of oral melanomas compared to the typically benign behaviour of cutaneous ones. Understanding the transcriptomic landscape of canine skin and mucosa is crucial for deciphering tissue-specific gene expression patterns and their implications in health and disease.
This grant proposal aims to employ single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) techniques to comprehensively profile the transcriptomes of normal melanocytes and adjacent cell populations from oral mucosa and haired skin in dogs.
We will collect tissue samples from skin (abdomen, intermandibular region, neck, elbow, periocular, lip) and oral mucosa (internal side of lip, close to gingiva and inferior labial frenulum) of dogs undergoing surgery or who have died from causes not related to melanocytic diseases. Single-cell RNA sequencing will be performed on 3 dogs by comparing isolated melanocytes and adjacent cells from skin and oral mucosa, using state-of-the-art sequencing platforms. Bioinformatics analysis will be employed to identify differentially expressed genes, pathways, and regulatory networks associated with these two specific body areas. The cell type identity of each cluster of cells will be determined by the expression of differentially expressed genes. Comparative analysis between skin and oral mucosal melanocytes and adjacent cell populations will be conducted to delineate tissue-specific gene expression patterns.
We hypothesize that distinct canine body areas, namely skin and oral mucosa, harbour unique melanocyte transcriptomic profiles, reflecting tissue-specific functions and microenvironmental cues.
The short-term objective of the study is to conduct an initial characterization of the transcriptome of canine healthy melanocytes from oral mucosal and, by revealing the transcriptional heterogeneity of melanocytes, to identify tissue-specific gene expression patterns and potential regulatory mechanisms modulating melanocyte function. By comparing gene expression profiles of cutaneous and mucosal melanocytes, alongside considering the anatomical and immunological differences of their respective host tissues, the long-term objective of this research is to expand our understanding of the role of melanocyte heterogeneity in maintaining skin and mucosal homeostasis. Furthermore, we expect that our study will clarify what is the relationship between melanocyte diversity and the diverse phenotypic and biological manifestations of melanocytic diseases involving these sites, potentially identifying targets for therapeutic interventions.
"Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial on the medication sparing effect of subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy with aqueous allergens in dogs with atopic dermatitis" Tim Nuttall, Manolis Sardiomichelakis and team
The landmark publication by Willemse et al. (1984) showed that subcutaneous immunotherapy with alum-precipitated allergen extracts was superior to placebo for the management of dogs with atopic dermatitis (AD). While no other placebo-control trials on the efficacy of allergen immunotherapy (AIT) have been published, many (Europe) or most (USA) veterinary dermatologists are using aqueous allergen extracts for subcutaneous AIT. The availability of effective and relatively safe medications for the long-term control of the disease (e.g. ciclosporin, oclacitinib and lokivetmab) has changed the general perception about the place of AIT in the treatment of canine AD. Currently, AIT may not be considered a first-line intervention, but as an add-on treatment aimed at reducing the use of other medication and to perhaps alter the natural course of the disease. The objective of this randomized, double-blinded, placebo-control trial is to evaluate the medication sparing effect of subcutaneous AIT with aqueous allergen extracts. Fifty dogs with non-seasonal AD sensu stricto will be randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to AIT (group 1) or placebo (group 2). Initially, their AD will be stabilized into the remission-to-mild range (i.e. Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index-iteration 4/CADESI4 ≤35 and pruritus Visual Analogue Scale/PVAS ≤3.5) with the use of drugs that have a validated medication score (prednisolone, prednisone, methylprednisolone, ciclosporin, oclacitinib, and hydrocortisone aceponate). Subsequently, group 1 will receive subcutaneous AIT with aqueous allergen extracts selected using the results of both allergen-specific intradermal tests and IgE serology in conjunction with the clinical history. Group 2 dogs will receive subcutaneous injections of the AIT diluent (buffered saline). During the 12 months of the study the dosage regimen of the anti-inflammatory medications will be adjusted as needed to keep the severity of AD into the remission-to-mild range. Intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis will be performed to compare the average medication score between the two groups. With 25 dogs in each group, the power of the study to detect a ≥50% difference in the medication score at the 5% level of significance will be 80% if the mean daily medication score to keep AD of group 2 dogs into the remission-to-mild range is 0.8 ± 0.5.
Hypothesis
Subcutaneous AIT with aqueous allergens will reduce the dosage regimens of anti-inflammatory drugs needed to keep canine AD into the remission-to-mild range.
Long-term objectives
If the study hypothesis is correct, including subcutaneous AIT with aqueous allergens into the multimodal medical management of dogs with AD will be fully justified. Reduced anti-inflammatory drug use will increase the safety and, especially in large dogs, decrease the overall cost of treatment.
"Clinical, dermatopathological and immunopatholigical characterization of ischemic dermatopathy in dogs with leishmaniosis" Laura Ordeix and team.
Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is a serious public health and veterinary problem. It is endemic in the Mediterranean basin, and it represents an emerging disease in many non-endemic regions including northern parts of Europe. The commonest clinical manifestation is cutaneous alterations. Typical and atypical forms have been described. Among atypical forms, ischemic dermatopathy (ID) has been anecdotally documented in dogs with high levels of Leishmania specific antibodies in endemic areas, although clinical and dermatopathological features have not been described. Severely ill infected dogs are characterized by an exaggerated non-protective humoral immune response which leads to the formation of circulating immune complexes (CIC). Their deposition in different tissues is considered the main pathological mechanisms in many clinical manifestations of the disease, including vasculitis. Nonetheless, the exact role of these CIC on ID needs to be elucidated.
The hypothesis of this research project is that CanL could be a cause of ischemic dermatopathy in dogs and that these dogs present a higher concentration of CICs compared to dogs with other manifestations of leishmaniosis. Therefore, the overall objective of this research project is to describe the clinical, dermatopathological, and immunological features of ID in a cohort of dogs with leishmaniosis.
The specific objectives are detailed below:
1. To describe clinical characteristics of a cohort of dogs with ID and leishmaniosis.
2. To describe dermatopathological characteristics based on histopathological analysis on routine and special stained skin sections of a cohort of dogs with ID and leishmaniosis.
3. To describe parasite burden and location in skin sections of a cohort of dogs with ID and leishmaniosis by means of specific immunohistochemistry.
4. To assess the serum level of Leishmania specific CICs in a cohort of dogs with ID and leishmaniosis and to compare it with CIC concentrations in dogs with other clinical manifestations of leishmaniosis.
"Iron metabolism in cats with atopic skin syndrome compared to healthy privately-owned cats" Lucia Panakova and team.
Background:
Feline atopic skin syndrome (FASS) is an inflammatory and pruritic skin syndrome of cats manifested by a spectrum of reaction patterns, that may be associated with IgE antibodies to environmental allergens. In humans, micronutritional deficiencies particularly of iron contribute to inflammation and is associated with an increased morbidity and poorer clinical outcome in chronic inflammatory diseases. As micronutritional deficiencies mimic an infection, the body’s innate response is to limit access to these nutrients and impede their dietary uptake (mucosal block). Iron deficiency is present in human and dogs with dermatitis and also our preliminar data point towards lower iron-levels and subclinical inflammation in cats with FASS.
Objectives/Hypothesis: We hypothesize that cats with FASS are iron-deficient. In a prospective study, we plan to systematically address dietary habits, the presence of comorbidities, medication use, allometric data and blood and immune parameters of cats with and without FASS. Symptoms will be assessed by a validated scoring system (SCORing Feline Allergic Dermatitis [SCORFAD]) and by pruritus via visual analogue scale (PVAS)
Animals: We plan to recruit 80 client owned cats with or without established diagnose of chronic, non-seasonal FASS
Methods: Prospective study in which healthy and atopic cats will be assessed in a systematic manners for immune and blood parameters. Medical history, dietary habits, comorbidities and medication will be recorded. Symptoms will be assessed via with SCORFAD and Pruritus Visual Analog Scale (PVAS) .
Relevance: This is the first study that will systematically address whether iron-deficiency is present in cats with FASS and whether this is associated with an increase symptom burden and comorbidities. Our aim is to dissect the involvement of iron-deficiency, in the development of FASS as it is completely unclear which factors contribute to atopy. The findings will represent the scientific basis for prophylactic recommendations and for improved treatment options.
The ESVD Research grants 2023 were awarded the following researchers:
Major grant: Dr Carolina Frizzo Ramos "Ameliorating Canine Atopic Dermatitis by targeted micronutrition"
Training grant : Dr Nikoleta Makri "Correlating DNA sequencing, culture and cytology to evaluate the microbiome in healthy rabbit ears
Minor grant (€5.000): Dr Matt McHale "In vitro antimicrobial efficacy and in vivo residual activity of a 3% chlorhexidine shampoo and foam in healthy dog"
Major grant 2023
Grant receivers: Carolina Frizzo Ramos, Franziska Roth-Walter, Lucia Panáková
Presentation of the study: Dysbalanced iron homeostasis is linked to inflammation, with the first description of reduced dietary
uptake of iron (‘mucosal block’) upon inflammation being described in dogs. As a skewed iron
homeostasis is associated with a greater morbidity and mortality in a number of chronic
inflammatory diseases in humans, here we aimed to circumvent the mucosal block existing in dog
patients suffering from canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) by using fortified whey. Dietary uptake of
micronutrient-enriched whey occurs via the lymph system and is not affected by the mucosal block
allowing targeted micronutrition.
Our preliminary assessment of iron parameter in healthy and dogs suffering from canine atopic
dermatitis that – similarly as in humans- iron homeostasis is affected in these dogs and is linked to
inflammation. Moreover, in one case study supplementing a French bull dog suffering from CAD
with micronutrient-enriched whey led to a sustained disappearance of wounds and itching and the
discontinuation of any medication since over 18 months
In a next step and with support of the ESVD, we aim here to assess whether 4 months of dietary
intake of micronutrient-rich whey can improve the immune status and reduce the inflammatory
symptom burden in CAD-patients in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled manner.
Minor grant 2023:
Grant receiver Matt McHale
Presentation of the study:
This study is to assess four set contact time points for shampoo in healthy animals for in vitro antimicrobial activity using hair clippings, with one control time point (0 minutes). Residual activity would then be assessed after one application of the shampoo. Residual activity would also be assessed after one application of the mousse.
Once we have established the optimum shampoo contact time and foam interval for efficacy, we will then assess the in vivo efficacy with atopic dogs, with microbial overgrowth.
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The ESVD Research grants 2022 were awarded the following researchers:
Major grant (€15.000): Dr A Lurenco
Training grant (€5.000): Dr N Apostolopoulos
Minor grant (€5.000): Dr V Schmidt
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Major grant 2021
"Use of bacteriophages in the treatment of suppurative canine otitis externa caused by multiresistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa"
Grant receivers: Jacques Fontaine, Caroline Leonard, David Thiry
Presentation of the study:
Selection and storage of Pseudomonas strains
Training grant 2021
“Histopathological examination of non-blanching erythematous dermatitis in the dog, a retrospective study”
Grant receivers: Stephanie Winter, Brett Wildermuth, Dr. Kerstin Wildermuth, Dr. Ralf Müller, Dr. Sonya Bettenay, Dr. Nadine Meertens
Presentation of the study: Diascopy is a useful tool in veterinary dermatology to evaluate erythematous dermatitis, which aids in forming a list of differential diagnoses. Erythema which blanches on diascopy is termed positive and indicates vasodilatation and non-blanching erythematous lesions (diascopy is negative) are due to haemorrhage into the skin. Diseases of the dog in the literature whereby diascopy is reported to be negative include epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma, vasculitis, erythema multiforme, cutaneous sterile pyogranuloma, Wells'-like syndrome, neutrophilic dermatitis and panniculitis (Sweet’s syndrome) and drug induced dermatitis. Not all of these diseases are traditionally thought of as diseases with dermal haemorrhage. The aims of this retrospective study are to report which diseases are negative upon diascopy and to investigate for the presence or absence of haemorrhage and vascular changes upon histopathological examination.
Training grant 2021
"Detection of canine allergen specific IgE: Comparing the molecular-based macro array (ALEC chip) to conventional ELISA testing on allergen extracts (Allercept Heska) and their correlations to clinical symptoms"
Grant receivers: Nina Poláková, Lucia Panáková, Isabella Pali-Schöll
Presentation of the study:
Background: Because of known limitations in both, serum and intradermal allergy tests, none can be considered a gold standard in canine allergology. This is partially due to the lack of standardisation of allergen extracts. However, testing for allergen specific IgE using an ELISA based on Fc-ε receptor α- chain (further described as ELISA) has been shown to have a good intra- and interlaboratory repeatability.
Objectives/Hypothesis: The goal of the current pilot study is to investigate the utility of the molecular allergen diagnostic method ALEX macro array chip for allergy testing (detection of allergen-specific IgE antibodies) in canine atopic patients and to compare the results with ELISA. Client owned dogs with clinical diagnosis of canine atopic dermatitis will be included in the study. We hypothesise to see correlation between macro array and ELISA and clinical presentation of patients. The long-term goal is to establish a reliable and sensitive method for molecular allergy- testing in canine patients with a good correlation to clinical symptoms, while only small volume of serum for testing of a broad range of allergen-molecules and extracts is needed.
Practitioner grant 2021
"Retrospective study on poor coat condition and alopecia in Pomeranian dogs and an overview of clinical, electron microscopic and histopathological findings in healthy and affected Pomeranian dogs"
Grant receivers: Dr. Annette van der Lee, Kelly van Amersfort, Dr. Jaco van der Lugt
Presentation of the study: Acquired coat abnormalities are frequently seen in Pomeranian dogs, leading to great dissatisfaction of owners. Two distinct coat types exist within this breed; the soft shiny coat and the wooly coat. When alopecia occurs in the furthermore healthy Pomeranian dog, the diagnosis of Alopecia X is often made. Our hypothesis is that Alopecia X is not one single disease entity, but a progressive form of poor coat quality seen in the wooly coat type Pomeranian.
The aim of this study is to find risk factors for developing Alopecia X in the Pomeranian. By means of a retrospective epidemiologic study, the prevalence of Pomeranians with Alopecia X within the Netherlands will be estimated. Possible risk factors as coat type, coat color and gender will be evaluated to confirm our hypothesis. By means of a prospective cohort study collecting skin biopsies from affected alopecic (group 1) and non-affected wooly coat (group 2) and shiny coat (group 3) Pomeranians, histopathological findings will be compared. In addition, similarities of the wooly coat type with the human disorder pili trianguli et canaliculi will be explored. For this matter, scanning electron microscopy will be used to compare the structure of hairs of the three groups.
The grant helped generate the following publication: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/vde.13326
Major grant 2020
“Molecular characterization of the cross-reactivity between Dermatophagoides farinae house dust mite and Toxocara canis nematode allergens”
Grant receivers: Dr Thierry Olivry, Dr Claude Favrot, Dr Sandrine Jacquenet, Dr Bernard Bihain
Presentation of the study: Most atopic and normal dogs have a high serum level of total IgE, which is often directed against Dermatophagoides farinae (Df) house dust mites. Our group previously showed that a substantial fraction of the Df-specific IgE cross-reacts with proteins from the Toxocara canis (Tc) nematode.
Based on a similarity of protein sequences and unusual glycosylation patterns, we hypothesize that the high molecular weight Df allergens Der f 15, Der f 18 and Zen-1 are those that cross-react with Tc mucins, while the low molecular weigth Der f 2 is a non cross-reactive allergen.
Using inhibition immunoblotting with intact, deproteinized and deglycosylated Df and Tc extracts and mass spectrometry, our main objective is to establish the identity of the allergens that cross-react, and those that do not, between these two allergen sources.
These studies should lead to the generation of extracts and sensitivity tests that are more specific for “true” Df sensitizations.
The study results were published in Veterinary Dermatology 2024, DOI:10.1111/vde.13295
Training grant 2020
“Canine oral and cutaneous melanocytes: density assessment and phenotypical characterization”
Grant receivers: Dr. Ilaria Porcellato, Dr Chiara Brachelente
Presentation of the study: Melanocyte biology and pathology in veterinary medicine still poses a lot of unsolved questions. Much of the information on these cells is gathered from studies conducted in humans and laboratory animals. In the last few years, melanocyte pathology in the canine species has been attracting more and more interest both for dermatological conditions and melanoma oncogenesis. Besides, the potential exploitation of canine diseases as models for comparative medicine encourages a deeper understanding and characterization of canine melanocytes. Melanocytic disorders display different phenotypic manifestations and melanocytic tumors have different biological behavior according to affected sites. Therefore, it is reasonable to postulate that numerical, morphological, and functional differences exist in subpopulations of melanocytic cells of different somatic areas of dogs.
The aims of this study are to test canine melanocyte marker expression and assess the most specific/sensitive one/s to recognize these cells in immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence and to assess canine melanocyte density (melanocyte:keratinocyte ratio) in different somatic areas.
The ultimate goal of the proposed project is to provide a preliminary characterization of canine melanocytes in different body regions. The possible differences between melanocyte subpopulations could provide further insights into the polymorphic phenotypic and morphological manifestations of melanocytic disorders, and the different biological behavior of melanocytic tumors in the canine species
Major grant 2019
"Ultrastructural evaluation on the alterations of host defense peptide secretion present in the canine atopic skin: a correlative light and electron microscopy study"
Grant receivers: Dr.Domenico Santoro, Ms. Karen Kelley
Presentation of the study: Host defense peptides [HDPs] (aka: antimicrobial peptides) are small proteins, produced by most living organisms. They are microbiologically and immunologically active. A retention of HDPs by atopic keratinocytes has been shown in people. This retention has been speculated to be one of the main factors associated to the high risk of recurrent skin infections in atopic patients. In dogs, alterations of HDPs have been associated with atopic dermatitis (AD). In particular, a decrease secretion of HDPs and a decreased killing power of skin washes have been demonstrated. No studies have been published on the possible mechanisms associated with the decrease secretion/production of HDPs. Host defense peptides are an integral component of the local innate immunity and essential for the correct balance between host and external microorganisms crosstalk. It is well known how this balance is disrupted in AD. In a world in which the resistance to conventional antimicrobial is in constant raising, a better understanding of the mechanisms behind the lack of efficacy of natural immune defense (e.g. HDPs) is essential. In this study, we hypothesize that canine atopic keratinocytes although able to produce HDPs; have a defect in delivering such peptides resulting in a lack of enough secreted concentrations able to kill pathogenic bacteria. The hypothesis to test in this study is that atopic keratinocytes instead of secrete HDPs via lamellar bodies; they are secreted via diffusion attached to actin filaments through tight junctions. To demonstrate such hypothesis, healthy and atopic canine skin samples will be processed for confocal immunofluorescence and electron microscopy using the correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM) methodology. Anti-canine β-defensin 103, claudin 1, actin, and ABCA3 antibodies will be used on skin samples harvested from atopic (lesional and nonlesional) and healthy skin. The long-term objective of this study are to unveil the reasons why atopic dogs are less able to kill bacteria, dramatically improving our knowledge on the pathomechanisms involved in canine AD and open the way for a new, potentially revolutionary, approach to treat cutaneous skin infections in canine AD.
Major grant 2019
"STAPHYOLOCOCCI IN THE GUT: COULD IT BE CONTRIBUTING TO RELAPSING PYODERMA?"
Grant receivers: Mar Bardagí, Olga Francino, Anna Cuscó
Presentation of the study: The primary objective of this project is to compare the prevalence of the different species of staphylococci in the canine gut of dogs with canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) and without CAD. The secondary objectives are to describe the different species of staphylococci and gut microbiota present in the canine gut and to compare if there is any difference between patients with CAD and history of bacterial infections and patients with CAD without bacterial infections and healthy dogs without history of CAD.
Practicioner grant 2019
"Prevalence of Dirofilaria repens and coinfections with D. immitis, Leishmania infantum, and selected tick-borne diseases in privately-owned healthy dogs in Naples area, Italy"
Grant receivers: Drs. Raffaele Maglione, Marcello Ferrara, Davide Ciccarelli, Antonio di Loria, Domenico Santoro
Presentation of the study: The prevalence of vector-associated parasitic infections/infestations is relatively high in the Central-Southern Italy. Among others, Leishmania infantum, tick borne diseases, and Dirofilariasis are of major interest for veterinary practitioners and public health. Dogs are considered the main domestic reservoir for human leishmaniosis and dirofilariasis. Canine leishmaniosis is endemic in Italy and in other countries of the Mediterranean basin, with a widely variable prevalence. Dirofilariasis is caused by filariid nematodes, among others, D. immitis and D. repens are the most prominent. Dirofilaria immitis (cardiopulmonary dirofilariasis) and D. repens(subcutaneous dirofilariasis) are two vector-borne filariid nematodes that have been recognized as emerging zoonotic agents spreading throughout Europe. Prevalence studies on cutaneous dirofilariasis and the correlation with other vector-borne diseases in healthy and affected dogs are minimal. Recently in a study performed in Central Italy, the authors reported a total prevalence ofL. infantum and D. repens of 2.5% and 2.8%, respectively. Of the dogs with cutaneous dirofilariasis, 95.4% were deemed clinically healthy. The results of this study highlights the importance of the identification of the prevalence of such diseases in heathy dogs as they may serve as reservoir for zoonotic transmission. Thus, the present study aims to evaluate the prevalence of cutaneous dirofilariasis (D. repens) and coinfections with D. immitis, L. infantum, and selected tick borne diseases in clinically healthy privately-owned dogs in Southern Italy. This geographic area surrounding Naples was chosen because of the frequently reported, anecdotal, cases of vector-borne parasitic and infectious diseases. In addition, a second outcome of the study is to correlate the incidence of the selected vector-borne diseases with the use of parasiticides, pets’ environment, and geographic location. The long-term goal of this study is to improve our understandings of the prevalence of potentia