BACKGROUND Studies in patients with allergic rhinitis living in the Free State have showed grass pollens to be the predominant allergens, with house-dust mite sensitisation being less prevalent than in the coastal areas and a low rate of sensitisation to the storage mite Lepidoglyphus destructor. No studies have been conducted on sensitisation to the other storage mites, spider mites or cockroa...

We have established an allergic dermatitis model in NC/Nga mice by repeated local exposure of mite antigen for analyzing atopic dermatitis. We examined how four Kampo medicines, Juzen-taiho-to, Hochu-ekki-to, Shofu-san and Oren-gedoku-to, on the dermatitis model to obtain basic information on their usefulness for treating atopic dermatitis. Mite antigen (Dermatophagoides farinae crude extract) ...

Canine otoacariasis, or otodectic mange, is a common parasitic disorder of dogs' ear canals caused by the mite Otodectes cynotis. Infestation can be detected through diverse protocols of varying sensitivity. We evaluated the use of video otoscopy in comparison with conventional otoscopy and cerumen examination under a microscope for diagnosing O. cynotis in dogs. Thirty-five dogs were evaluated...

Two dogs were referred to the clinic with the history of severe itching around the ears since 20 days. Clinical examination revealed intense pruritus around the ears, head shaking alopecia and coffee coloured cerumen. Haematology results were within normal range except eosinophilia. Examination of the dark coloured cerumen revealed the existed Otodectes mites. Hence, dogs were treated with oral...

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a skin condition caused by an imbalance of distinct subsets of T helper cells. Previously, we showed that 4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamaldehyde (4H3MC) inhibits T cell activation but does not induce apoptosis. Here, we examined the mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect of 4H3MC on AD both in vivo and in vitro. We sought to test the pharmacological effects of 4H3MC usi...

Introduction Otitis is a frequent problem in dogs – in many cases we deal with a recurrent problem. Looking at the etiology we have to take into account bacterial infections, yeasts (Malassezia spp.), parasites (Otodectes cynotis as well as Demodex species) and foreign bodies. Less often we deal with neoplasia, allergies (especially food intolerance), autoimmune diseases or endocrinopathies tha...

OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to investigate Demodex species infestation in patients with ear itching. The relationship between the severity of ear itching and Demodex spp. positivity has not been previously reported in the literature, and we believe that our study will make a significant contribution to the understanding of the etiology of ear itching. METHODS Fifty patients wit...