Efficacy of Heat‐Killed Lactobacillus plantarum L‐137 Supplementation in Treatment of Canine Atopic Dermatitis
Chatkamol Kiewsiri, Preecha Patumcharoenpol, Attawit Kovitvadhi, Suttiwee ChermprapaiABSTRACT
Background
Canine atopic dermatitis (cAD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease and has been associated with gut dysbiosis.
Hypothesis/Objectives
To evaluate the efficacy of heat‐killed
Animals
Twelve client‐owned dogs with cAD.
Materials and Methods
A randomised, placebo‐controlled, double‐blinded crossover trial. Dogs were divided into two groups ( n = 6) and received oral HK L‐137 or placebo once daily for 12 weeks. After a 2‐week washout period, they received the alternative treatment. Oral oclacitinib (0.4–0.6 mg/kg once daily) was permitted throughout the study. Clinical severity was assessed with the 4th iteration of the cAD Extent and Severity Index (CADESI‐04) and owner‐evaluated pruritus Visual Analog Scale (PVAS) and faecal scoring at 0, 12, 14 and 26 weeks. Serum concentrations of C‐reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)‐4, interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) and C‐C motif chemokine ligand 17 (CCL17), and haematological and biochemical findings were analysed at the same time points. Faecal microbiota composition (genomic DNA) was assessed at 12 and 26 weeks.
Results
PVAS scores mildly improved in both groups, with greater reduction in the HK L‐137 group, yet this was not statistically significant. Serum CRP concentrations increased significantly in the control group ( p = 0.02). Serum CCL17 concentrations decreased significantly in the HK L‐137 group ( p = 0.01). No significant changes were observed in CADESI‐04, IL‐4, IFN‐γ or faecal scores or faecal microbiota diversity and composition.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance
HK L‐137 represents a potential, well‐tolerated adjunctive therapy for dogs with cAD. Therapy was associated with reduced CCL17. Further studies with fewer variables are indicated.