Evaluation of the Level of Interleukin 10 in the Blood Serum of Dogs with Demodicosis in Comparison with Healthy Dogs

Demodicosis is an infectious parasitic disease of the skin that is caused by the increase in the reproduction of Demodex mites, which is the normal flora of the skin of many mammals. In dogs, the decrease in the ability of the body's immune system, especially cellular immunity, can lead to an increase in the proliferation of mites. This study was conducted with the aim of measuring the level of interleukin 10 in the blood serum of dogs that have recurring demodicosis, dogs that are diagnosed with demodicosis for the first time, and healthy dogs.

21 dogs were studied in three groups; Group 1 included 7 dogs in which demodicosis disease is repeated, group 2 included 7 dogs that were diagnosed with demodicosis disease for the first time, and group 3 included 7 healthy dogs. In order to screen dogs to enter each study group, history taking and skin scraping test were used. Blood sampling was done from all dogs of all three groups and blood samples were taken to the laboratory to measure the level of interleukin 10 in the blood serum of each dog with commercial kit for measuring dog interleukin 10.

The average level of interleukin 10 in dogs of groups 1, 2, and 3 were 271.74, 36.18, and, 11.67 pg/mL. There is a significant difference between the level of interleukin in group 1 compared with the other groups.

According to the results obtained in this study, dogs with recurring demodicosis have a higher serum level of interleukin 10 than healthy dogs and even dogs that are diagnosed with demodicosis for the first time.