Periostin: a potential biomarker for diagnosis and treatment monitoring in canine atopic dermatitis

Canine atopic dermatitis (cAD) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition associated with T helper 2 (Th2)-type immune responses, and recent evidence suggests that periostin, an extracellular matrix protein, may play a role in its pathogenesis. To investigate the significance of serum periostin concentrations in dogs with cAD, this study examined their relationship with disease severity and laboratory parameters, including eosinophil counts and Th2 cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13. A total of 68 dogs diagnosed with cAD and 21 healthy controls were included, with serum periostin, IL-4, and IL-13 levels measured. Disease severity was assessed using the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (CADESI-04) and the Pruritus Visual Analog Scale (PVAS). The results showed that serum periostin concentrations were significantly higher in dogs with cAD compared to healthy controls and exhibited a positive correlation with CADESI-04 scores, reflecting disease severity. Treatment with prednisolone or oclacitinib led to a significant reduction in serum periostin, IL-4, and IL-13 levels, along with a decrease in eosinophil counts. These findings highlight the potential of serum periostin as a valuable biomarker for assessing cAD severity and monitoring treatment response, emphasizing its clinical relevance as an objective measure.