Epidermal corneometric analysis and D-dimer level determination for determination of cutaneous disease activity in dogs with different dermatological disorders

Objective: Biochemical markers in an attempt to determine disease monitorization permits veterinary surgeon to classify severity of illness, progression, and therapeutical intervention. D-dimer, a well known breakdown/degradation metabolite of cross-linked fibrin, could elevate with clot formation and fibrinolysis. The purpose of this PhD thesis was to analyze D-dimer concentrations and assess their value in the diagnosis of several different cutaneous disease activity in dogs, besides the power of the latter biomarker in identifying early diagnosis. Materials and Methods: For this purpose, D-dimer analyses were performed in 5 groups of dogs; (I) 10 dogs with endocrine, (II) 10 dogs with infectious, (III) 10 dogs with non-infectious, (IV) 10 dogs with parasitic dermatosis, then were compared to those of healthy dogs (n = 10) as (V) control group. Results: The D-dimer range in clinically healthy dogs was < 0.1 mg/L. Regarding D-dimer levels (mean standard error) there were statistical significance among healthy group and leishmania (p = 0.008), food allergy (p= 0.016), atopic dermatitis (p=0.000), pyoderma (p= 0.000). Besides regarding scabies group statistical signifcance were evident among leishmania (p=0.021), pyoderma (p=0.000), atopic dermatitis (p=0.001) and ; food allergy groups (p=0.034). On the other hand dermatophytosis group showed significant alterations between atopic dermatitis (p=0.004), and pyoderma (p=0.001) groups. Furthermore significant alterations were also detected among malassezia and atopic dermatitis (p=0.054) and pyoderma (p=0.011) gtoups. Epidermal corneometrica analysis were deemed available presented that significant alterations were existed regarding epidermal hydration (%) among healthy group within the scabies (p=0.000), dermatitis group (p=0.000), flea allergic dermatitis (p=0.034), malessezia (p=0.022), leishmania (p=0.011), dermatophytosis (p=0.044) and pyoderma (p=0.054) groups. Conclusion: Both parameters, D-dimer levels and epidermal hydration interpretation, were altered during cutaneous disease activity with clinical evidence of disease. D-dimer levels could be suggested as a biomarker or cutaneous disease activity during selected diseases. Therefore, it may be a useful potential biomarker of skin disorders in certain cutaneous inflammatory conditions. Keywords: Analysis, Corneometric, Cutaneous, D-dimer, Disease, Epidermal.