Evaluation of interleukin-2 production and interleukin-2 receptor expression in dogs with generalized demodicosis

The experimental hypothesis tested was that dogs with generalized demodicosis have significantly lower levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) production and IL-2 receptor expression as compared with normal dogs. The specific objective of this study was to compare the production of IL-2 and IL-2 receptor expression of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in normal dogs and dogs with generalized demodicosis. Ten dogs with juvenile-onset generalized demodicosis were evaluated. Dogs with generalized demodicosis had a significantly lower in vitro lymphocyte blastogenesis response (P < 0.006), fewer cells expressing IL-2 receptors (P < 0.03), and decreased IL-2 production (P < 0.01) than control dogs.