Antibody levels to Malassezia pachydermatis and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in atopic dogs and their relationship with lesion scores.

In dog skin, microbes may act as allergens triggering inflammatory responses via IgE- and IgG-dependent pathway(s). The affinity of the IgG subclass produced may vary according to antigen type. Specific IgE levels may be related to clinical disease in dogs and not to skin lesion severity.