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J Vet Clin 2021; 38(3): 120-126

https://doi.org/10.17555/jvc.2021.38.3.120

Published online June 30, 2021

Comparison of Intradermal Skin Test and Multiple Allergen Simultaneous Test Results in Canine Atopic Dermatitis

Hyeyeon Nam , Taesik Yun , Yunhoi Koo , Dohee Lee , Yeon Chae , Jooyoung Park , Dongjoon Choi , Hakhyun Kim , Mhan-Pyo Yang , Byeong-Teck Kang*

Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea

Correspondence to:*kangbt@chungbuk.ac.kr

Received: February 3, 2021; Revised: April 5, 2021; Accepted: May 27, 2021

Copyright © The Korean Society of Veterinary Clinics.

Intradermal skin test (IDST) is generally considered a useful tool in identifying causal allergens in canine atopic dermatitis. Currently, multiple allergen simultaneous test (MAST), an in vitro testing method for allergen-specific immunoglobulin E, is being used as an alternative method. However, there are no reports comparing the IDST and MAST results in the same dogs. This study compared the results of both tests to evaluate the agreement and correlation between them. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the MAST were 76.2%, 64%, and 66.7%, respectively. Moderate positive predicted value (PPV, 50-75%) or high sensitivity (80-100%) were identified for indoor allergens, such as cat epithelia, house dust, and house dust mites. In contrast, high negative predicted value (NPV, 93.3-100%) and specificity (60-100%) were observed for environmental allergens and fungi. Although the agreement between IDST and MAST for all allergens was fair (κ = 0.301), that for each allergen was poor (κ < 0.01), except for birch (κ = 0.158). Spearman’s rank correlation analysis revealed a low correlation between the MAST and IDST results (ρ = 0.308, p = 0.001). As compared to the IDST results, the MAST results did not identify the causative allergens sufficiently. IDST may not be performed for environmental allergens and fungi with high NPV and specificity if the MAST result is negative, but it may have to be performed for indoor allergens with moderate PPV and high sensitivity when the MAST result is positive.

Keywords: canine, atopic dermatitis, intradermal skin test, multiple allergen simultaneous test.

Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is one of the most common skin disorders affecting dogs. It is defined as a genetically predisposed inflammatory and pruritic allergic skin disease that presents a characteristic clinical feature associated with immunoglobulin (Ig) E antibodies against environmental allergens (5). The diagnosis of CAD is based on excluding other skin conditions with clinical signs similar to or overlapping with those of CAD and detailed interpretation of the medical history and clinical features (7).

IgE-mediated allergies account for majority of the clinically significant environmental, food, and medication allergies. Skin testing is an important component in the diagnosis of IgE-mediated allergies. Once CAD has been tentatively diagnosed based on the clinical criteria, allergen-specific IgE tests can help to confirm the diagnosis.

In veterinary medicine, the intradermal skin test (IDST) is a useful tool in identifying causal allergens. However, this method has several disadvantages, such as requirement of sedation or anesthesia and high cost (12). Moreover, this test could be affected by sex, age, season, and administration of anti-allergic drugs (8,12). Serum allergic tests (SAT) have been commercialized since the 1980s and are widely used to diagnose and treat allergic skin disorders. SAT detecting allergen-specific IgE against inhalant and food allergen components include various methods such as the radioallergosorbent test (RAST), serological enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), ImmunoCAPTM system (Pharmacia Diagnostics AB; Uppsala, Sweden), and multiple allergen simultaneous test (MAST) (6,9,11,13). MAST-chemiluminescent assay (MAST-CLA) has been widely utilized because it does not use radioactive materials or high-cost equipment. MAST-immunoblot, a more upgraded MAST assay, is faster, simpler, and requires a smaller volume of serum samples as compared to MAST-CLA (10,13). This test can simultaneously measure allergen-specific IgE for over 35 common allergens in IgE-mediated skin diseases (14).

To date, there have been no reports comparing the results of MAST and IDST in dogs. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the reliability, accuracy, and agreement between MAST and IDST results and identify the diagnostic value of MAST in dogs.

Case selection

Among the patients visiting the veterinary teaching hospital from January 2013 to June 2020, 92 dogs were diagnosed with CAD, and 35 of them underwent IDST. Of these 35 patients, MAST was performed in 16 dogs using their stored serum. CAD was diagnosed based on the fulfillment of at least five of Favrot’s criteria (onset of signs below 3 years of age; mostly living indoors; glucocorticoid-responsive pruritus; pruritus without lesions at onset; front feet affected; ear pinnae affected; unaffected ear margins; and unaffected dorso-lumbar area) and rejection of other possible pruritic causes, such as microbial and fungal infection, parasite burdens, adverse food reactions, and endocrine disorders (3,4).

IDST

Among the atopic patients, 16 dogs underwent IDST for 29 allergens (Greer Labs Inc) according to the guidelines currently in use (Table 1) (8). Drugs that could adversely affect the IDST results, such as glucocorticoids and anti-histamines, were not administered for at least 4 weeks before IDST was scheduled. The dogs were sedated with intravenous administration of 20 µg/kg medetomidine (Domitor; Pfizer). Intradermal injections of 0.1 mL of each allergen extract were administered using insulin syringes (BD Ultra-Fine, Becton, Dickinson and Company; USA). Histamine phosphate (Histatrol; Alk Abello) and 0.9% phosphate-buffered saline were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. The skin test reactions were evaluated at 0 and 15 min after injection and scored 0-4 by measuring the diameter or area of erythema or wheal. Scores 0 and 4 corresponded to the reactions of negative and positive controls, respectively. Any reaction with a score ≥2 was classified as positive. Sedation was reversed with 125 µg/kg atipamezole (Antisedan; Pfizer) administered intramuscularly.

Table 1 Allergens used for intradermal skin test (total 29 allergens matched)

GroupAllergensConcentration
PollenBermuda grass1,000 PNU/mL
WeedsCocklebur1,000 PNU/mL
Goldenrod1,000 PNU/mL
Lamb’s Quarter1,000 PNU/mL
Pigweed. Rough/Red root1,000 PNU/mL
Plantain, English1,000 PNU/mL
Sage Mix1,000 PNU/mL
Trees and shrubs11 Tree Mix1,000 PNU/mL
Birch Mix1,000 PNU/mL
Pine Mix1,000 PNU/mL
MoldsCandida albicans1,000 PNU/mL
Fusarium solani1,000 PNU/mL
Penicillium Mix1,000 PNU/mL
Mucor Mix1,000 PNU/mL
Rhizopus Mix250 PNU/mL
YeastMalassezia pachydermatis1,000 PNU/mL
Epidermis and inhalantsCat epithelia1,000 PNU/mL
Cotton seed1,000 PNU/mL
Pyrethrum1,000 PNU/mL
Silk500 PNU/mL
Mixed feather1,000 PNU/mL
Human dander1,000 PNU/mL
House dustHouse dust mixture100 PNU/mL
House dust mitesDermatophagoides farina1:5,000 w/v
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus1:5,000 w/v
InsectsFlea1:1,000 w/v
Mosquito1,000 PNU/mL
Cockroach1,000 PNU/mL
House fly1,000 PNU/mL
Positive controlHistamine Phosphate0.0275 mg/mL
Negative control0.9% phosphate buffered saline

PNU, protein nitrogen unit; w/v, weight/volume.



MAST-immunoblot assay

MAST-immunoblot, EUROBlotOne (Euroimmun AG; Lübeck, Germany), was used to analyze the serum allergen-specific IgE concentrations. Serum samples were collected from January 2013 to June 2020. Peripheral blood was collected by jugular venipuncture and centrifuged for 10 min at 4,500 rpm. Serum samples were stored at temperatures below −70°C until the test was performed. This test kit consists of test strips with 127 allergens, including inhalation and food profile panels. Among them, only 12 allergens common with the IDST allergens were used for comparative analysis (Table 2).

Table 2 Allergens used in the comparative analysis between intradermal skin test and multiple allergen simultaneous test

GroupAllergens
WeedsGoldenrod
Lambenrodaller
Pigweed (Rough/Red root)
Trees and shrubsBirch Mix
Pine Mix
MoldsPenicillium Mix
YeastMalassezia pachydermatis
Epidermis and inhalantsCat epithelia
House dustHouse dust mixture
House dust mitesDermatophagoides farina
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus
InsectCockroach


To read the results, the specific IgE antibody value for each specific allergen was analyzed using a test device and divided into classes 0-6 by allergen-specific IgE concentrations according to the manufacturer’s instructions; those below class 1 (<0.35 kU/L) were considered negative.

Statistical analysis

Considering the IDST results as true, dogs with positive and negative IDST results were defined as the patient group and the control group for MAST, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predicted values (PPV), negative predicted values (NPV), and accuracy of MAST were compared with that of IDST as the standard. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (ρ) and Cohen’s kappa coefficient (κ) were used to evaluate associations and multiple levels of agreement between IDST and MAST for dichotomous parameters (qualitative and positive-negative), respectively. The predicted value was arbitrarily categorized as low (<50%), moderate (50-69%), high (70-89%), or very high (≥90%). The ρ values were interpreted as follows: ± ≥0.9 = very high, ± 0.7-0.9 = high, ± 0.5-0.7 = moderate, ± 0.3-0.5 = low, and ± <0.3 = little, if any relationship. The κ values were interpreted as follows: 0.81-1.00 = almost perfect agreement, 0.61-0.80 = substantial, 0.41-0.60 = moderate, 0.21-0.40 = fair, 0.01-0.20 = slight, and <0.01 = no agreement (2). When p-value was <0.05, the probabilities were considered statistically significant.

After excluding other skin conditions and fulfillment of the clinical criteria, 35 dogs with CAD underwent IDST. Among these 35 dogs, the sera of 16 dogs were subjected to MAST. Data pertaining to breed, sex, and initial onset age of the dogs diagnosed with CAD are summarized in Table 3. The most common breeds were Shih Tzu (25%) and Maltese (25%). The mean age of onset of the CAD-related clinical signs was 2.4 years (range, 6 months-7 years). The percentage of patients with an initial onset age below 3 years was 68.7% (n = 11).

Table 3 Signalment of sixteen dogs diagnosed with canine atopic dermatitis

SignalmentClassificationNumber of dogs (%)
BreedShih Tzu4 (25)
Maltese4 (25)
Yorkshire Terrier1 (6.25)
Dachshund1 (6.25)
Cocker Spaniel1 (6.25)
French bulldog1 (6.25)
Golden Retriever1 (6.25)
Mixed breed3 (18.75)
SexMale9 (56.25)
Female7 (43.75)
Age of onset (years)<11 (6.25)
1-310 (62.5)
3-54 (25)
≥51 (6.25)


Comparison of IDST and MAST results

A comparison of the IDST and MAST results for each allergen has been summarized in Table 4. All 16 dogs undergoing the two tests presented at least four positive responses in IDST. The most common allergen group was house dust mites (HDM), followed by epidermis and inhalants, mold, and house dust. Among the individual allergens, Dermatophagoides farinae (75%) presented the highest positivity, followed by D. pteronyssinus (62.5%) and house dust mix (50%).

Table 4 Detection number and percentage of positive cases in 16 dogs with atopic dermatitis in intradermal skin test and multiple allergen simultaneous test with 12 allergens

GroupAllergenIDSTMAST IgE
No. (%) PRNo. (%) PRMV (kU/L) (R)
WeedsGoldenrod1 (6.25)1 (6.25)1.1 (1.1)
Lamb’s Quarter1 (6.25)0 (0)0
Pigweed. Rough/Red root1 (6.25)0 (0)0
Trees and shrubsBirch mixture1 (6.25)7 (43.75)1.09 (0.6-2.0)
Pine mixture1 (6.25)0 (0)0
MoldsPenicillium mixture0 (0)0 (0)0
YeastMalassezia pachydermatis1 (6.25)15 (87.5)1.73 (0.7-2.4)
Epidermis and inhalantsCat epithelia3 (18.75)16 (100)3.35 (3.1-3.0)
House dustHouse dust mixture8 (50)16 (100)2.96 (0.5-3.7)
House dust miteDermatophagoides farina12 (75)16 (100)1.78 (0.5-4.9)
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus10 (62.5)14 (87.5)2.35 (0.5-5.8)
InsectCockroach3 (18.75)3 (18.75)0.93 (0.4-1.9)

IDST, intradermal skin test; MAST, multiple allergen simultaneous test; IgE, immunoglobulin E; PR, positive reactions; MV, mean value; R, range.



Using a serum IgE cut-off of ≥0.35 kU/L for MAST, the allergens showing the most prevalent positive response and the highest detection rate were D. farinae (100%), HDM (100%), and cat epithelia (100%). The lowest positivity was observed for the Penicillium mix (IDST, 0%; MAST, 0%). When the results of both tests were compared, the concordance and discordance between them varied depending on the type of allergen (Fig. 1). When IDST was positive, MAST was positive in 0-75% and negative in 0-18.75%; when IDST was negative, MAST was positive in 0-87.5% and negative in 0-100%.

Figure 1.Concordance and discordance of the results between intradermal skin test and multiple allergen simultaneous test. +, positive response; −, negative response; IDST, intradermal skin test; MAST, multiple allergen simultaneous test; CE, cat epithelia; Co, cockroach; DF, Dermatophagoides farinae; DP, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus; Go, Goldenrod; HD, house dust; LQ, Lamb’s quarters; MP, Malassezia pachydermatis; Pe, Penicillium; Pi, pigweed.

Agreement between IDST and MAST results

The analyses of the agreement between the IDST and MAST results are summarized in Table 5. As compared to IDST, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy PPV, and NPV of MAST for all allergens were 76.2%, 64%, 66.7%, 37.5%, and 91.3%, respectively. Particularly, allergens with very high NPV (93.3-100%) included weeds (Goldenrod, Lamb’s quarter, and pigweed), trees and shrubs (birch and pine), molds (Penicillium), and yeast (Malassezia pachydermatis). The NPV of all indoor allergens (cat epithelia, house dust, D. farinae, and D. pteronyssinus) was 0%.

Table 5 Sensitivity, specificity, positive predicted value, negative predicted value, and accuracy of multiple allergen simultaneous test against intradermal skin test

GroupAllergenSensitivity(%)Specificity
(%)
PPV
(%)
NPV
(%)
Accuracy
(%)
WeedGoldenrod093.3093.387.5
Lamb’s Quarter0100093.893.8
Pigweed. Rough/Red root0100093.893.8
Trees and shrubsBirch mixture1006014.310062.5
Pine mixture0100093.893.8
MoldsPenicillium mixture01000100100
YeastMalassezia pachydermatis1006.76.710012.5
Epidermis and inhalantsCat epithelia100018.8018.8
House dustHouse dust mixture100050050
House dust miteDermatophagoides farina100075075
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus80057.1050
InsectCockroach80057.1050
Total76.26437.591.366.7

PPV, positive predicted value; NPV, negative predicted value.



Although the agreement between IDST and MAST for all allergens was fair (κ = 0.301), that for each allergen was poor (κ ≤ 0.008), except for birch (κ = 0.158) that showed slight agreement (Table 6). Spearman’s rank correlation analysis revealed a low correlation between the MAST and IDST results (ρ = 0.308, p = 0.001).

Table 6 Analyses of agreement and correlation between multiple allergen simultaneous test and intradermal skin test

GroupAllergenAgreementCorrelation
κaρbp value
WeedGoldenrod000
Lambnrodon ski0−0.0670.806
Pigweed. Rough/Red root000
Trees and shrubsBirch mixture0.1580.1850.492
Pine mixture000
MoldsPenicillium mixture000
YeastMalassezia pachydermatis0.008−0.3680.161
Epidermis and inhalantsCat epithelia000
House dustHouse dust mixture000
House dust miteDermatophagoides farina000
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus000.271
InsectCockroach000.393
Total0.3010.3080.001

aCohen’s kappa coefficient: ≤0 = poor, 0.01-0.20 = slight, 0.21-0.40 = fair, 0.41-0.60 = moderate, 0.61-0.80 = substantial, and 0.81-1.00 = almost perfect agreement.

bSpearman’s rank correlation coefficient: ± <0.3 = little if any relationship, ± 0.3-0.5 = low, ± 0.5-0.7 = moderate, ± 0.7-0.9 = high, ± ≥0.9 = very high.


This study evaluated the agreement and correlation between MAST and IDST results as well as the reliability of MAST in diagnosing CAD. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for all allergens were 76.2%, 64%, and 37.5%, respectively, with MAST. The environmental allergens and fungi, except for birch, presented high specificity, NPV, and accuracy, while indoor allergens showed high sensitivity, moderate PPV, and low to moderate accuracy. Moreover, the MAST results for all allergens showed low agreement and correlation with IDST results and non-acceptable reliability. The agreement for each allergen ranged from poor (κ = 0) to slight (κ = 0.158), and the correlations were negligible (ρ = 0.185) or low (ρ = −0.368). Therefore, IDST may need to be conducted when the MAST result is positive for indoor allergens, but not when it is negative for environmental allergens and fungi.

In this study, the sensitivity and specificity for all allergens in the MAST were 76.2% and 64%, respectively. In human medicine, the skin prick test (SPT) is considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of AD. The MAST is also widely used, and several studies have reported its efficacy in diagnosing and treating allergic diseases (9,13). Even in veterinary medicine, this test is preferred by veterinarians and clients; nevertheless, only three reports have compared MAST with IDST in horses with allergic diseases (15-17). A previous report suggested that MAST shows good detection performance for three of five allergens with substantial diagnostic capability, but requires careful clinical analysis for few other allergens (17). The mean values of sensitivity and specificity for each allergen, depending on manufacturer’s cut-off value, were 81% (range, 44-89%) and 56% (range, 60-100%), respectively. The overall sensitivity and specificity values noted in this study are similar to those of a previous study.

Low NPV and specificity with moderate PPV and high sensitivity were identified in indoor allergens, including house dust, D. farinae, and D. pteronyssinus. Contrasting results were observed for environmental allergens and fungi. These results suggest that the frequency of exposure affects the production of allergen-specific IgE. Because all dogs in this study lived indoors, they were exposed to indoor allergens more often; hence, they may have produced more allergen-specific IgE. Therefore, IDST can be performed when the MAST result is positive for indoor allergens. However, IDST may not be needed when a negative MAST result is obtained for environmental allergens or fungi.

In this study, the accuracy of MAST relative to IDST was between 12.5% and 100% for each allergen and 66.7% for total allergens. In human medicine, a study comparing MAST and SPT in patients with chronic rhinitis reported an overall accuracy of 63.92% for total allergens and 68.39-100% for each allergen (10). In veterinary medicine, similar results were obtained in horses with AD with a mean accuracy of 73%, based on the manufacturer’s cut-off value, and ranged between 50% and 93% for each allergen (17). In previous studies of CAD comparing in vivo skin tests and in vitro assays such as RAST and ELISA, the accuracy for each allergen was 12.5-82% for RAST (6) and 43-64% for ELISA (11). Therefore, the overall accuracy of MAST in this study is similar to that of previous studies.

The agreement and correlation for all allergens between MAST and IDST were identified as fair (κ = 0.301) and with low positive correlation (ρ = 0.308), respectively. In human medicine, the agreement between MAST and SPT was reported as substantial (κ = 0.672) for total allergens (1). In another study comparing MAST and IDST results in horses, there was fair (κ = 0.432) to substantial (κ = 0.689) agreement for three of the five allergens (D. farina, Acarus siro, and D. pteronyssinus) and a moderate to high positive correlation (ρ = 0.657-0.870) for two of the five allergens (D. farina and Acarus siro) (17). The agreement in the present study result is significantly lower than that of the previous result of the studies on humans and horses, and the correlation is lower than that in horses. Therefore, the reliability of the MAST has been identified as non-acceptable in dogs.

This study has several limitations. First, the sample size included and the number of allergens compared is too small to generalize the results. Therefore, further studies using larger cohorts with more allergens will be necessary in the future. Second, the frozen serum used in this study was stored for different periods. Since MAST assays have not been evaluated for CAD, the potential influence of frozen serum is unclear.

In conclusion, the present study recommends the clinical utility of MAST as a screening test for CAD. In comparison with IDST, MAST presents different sensitivities and specificities for each allergen, with poor agreement and no correlation. However, for total allergens, MAST shows fair agreement with IDST, non-acceptable reliability, and a low positive correlation. MAST is not suitable as a method for distinguishing causative allergens of CAD, but it may be used to determine whether IDST should be performed. When a negative MAST result is obtained for environmental allergens and fungi, the IDST procedure may not be necessary. In contrast, IDST may be performed when a positive MAST result is obtained for indoor allergens.

This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIT) (No. 2021R1A2C1012058).

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Article

Original Article

J Vet Clin 2021; 38(3): 120-126

Published online June 30, 2021 https://doi.org/10.17555/jvc.2021.38.3.120

Copyright © The Korean Society of Veterinary Clinics.

Comparison of Intradermal Skin Test and Multiple Allergen Simultaneous Test Results in Canine Atopic Dermatitis

Hyeyeon Nam , Taesik Yun , Yunhoi Koo , Dohee Lee , Yeon Chae , Jooyoung Park , Dongjoon Choi , Hakhyun Kim , Mhan-Pyo Yang , Byeong-Teck Kang*

Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea

Correspondence to:*kangbt@chungbuk.ac.kr

Received: February 3, 2021; Revised: April 5, 2021; Accepted: May 27, 2021

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Intradermal skin test (IDST) is generally considered a useful tool in identifying causal allergens in canine atopic dermatitis. Currently, multiple allergen simultaneous test (MAST), an in vitro testing method for allergen-specific immunoglobulin E, is being used as an alternative method. However, there are no reports comparing the IDST and MAST results in the same dogs. This study compared the results of both tests to evaluate the agreement and correlation between them. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the MAST were 76.2%, 64%, and 66.7%, respectively. Moderate positive predicted value (PPV, 50-75%) or high sensitivity (80-100%) were identified for indoor allergens, such as cat epithelia, house dust, and house dust mites. In contrast, high negative predicted value (NPV, 93.3-100%) and specificity (60-100%) were observed for environmental allergens and fungi. Although the agreement between IDST and MAST for all allergens was fair (κ = 0.301), that for each allergen was poor (κ < 0.01), except for birch (κ = 0.158). Spearman’s rank correlation analysis revealed a low correlation between the MAST and IDST results (ρ = 0.308, p = 0.001). As compared to the IDST results, the MAST results did not identify the causative allergens sufficiently. IDST may not be performed for environmental allergens and fungi with high NPV and specificity if the MAST result is negative, but it may have to be performed for indoor allergens with moderate PPV and high sensitivity when the MAST result is positive.

Keywords: canine, atopic dermatitis, intradermal skin test, multiple allergen simultaneous test.

Introduction

Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is one of the most common skin disorders affecting dogs. It is defined as a genetically predisposed inflammatory and pruritic allergic skin disease that presents a characteristic clinical feature associated with immunoglobulin (Ig) E antibodies against environmental allergens (5). The diagnosis of CAD is based on excluding other skin conditions with clinical signs similar to or overlapping with those of CAD and detailed interpretation of the medical history and clinical features (7).

IgE-mediated allergies account for majority of the clinically significant environmental, food, and medication allergies. Skin testing is an important component in the diagnosis of IgE-mediated allergies. Once CAD has been tentatively diagnosed based on the clinical criteria, allergen-specific IgE tests can help to confirm the diagnosis.

In veterinary medicine, the intradermal skin test (IDST) is a useful tool in identifying causal allergens. However, this method has several disadvantages, such as requirement of sedation or anesthesia and high cost (12). Moreover, this test could be affected by sex, age, season, and administration of anti-allergic drugs (8,12). Serum allergic tests (SAT) have been commercialized since the 1980s and are widely used to diagnose and treat allergic skin disorders. SAT detecting allergen-specific IgE against inhalant and food allergen components include various methods such as the radioallergosorbent test (RAST), serological enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), ImmunoCAPTM system (Pharmacia Diagnostics AB; Uppsala, Sweden), and multiple allergen simultaneous test (MAST) (6,9,11,13). MAST-chemiluminescent assay (MAST-CLA) has been widely utilized because it does not use radioactive materials or high-cost equipment. MAST-immunoblot, a more upgraded MAST assay, is faster, simpler, and requires a smaller volume of serum samples as compared to MAST-CLA (10,13). This test can simultaneously measure allergen-specific IgE for over 35 common allergens in IgE-mediated skin diseases (14).

To date, there have been no reports comparing the results of MAST and IDST in dogs. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the reliability, accuracy, and agreement between MAST and IDST results and identify the diagnostic value of MAST in dogs.

Materials and Methods

Case selection

Among the patients visiting the veterinary teaching hospital from January 2013 to June 2020, 92 dogs were diagnosed with CAD, and 35 of them underwent IDST. Of these 35 patients, MAST was performed in 16 dogs using their stored serum. CAD was diagnosed based on the fulfillment of at least five of Favrot’s criteria (onset of signs below 3 years of age; mostly living indoors; glucocorticoid-responsive pruritus; pruritus without lesions at onset; front feet affected; ear pinnae affected; unaffected ear margins; and unaffected dorso-lumbar area) and rejection of other possible pruritic causes, such as microbial and fungal infection, parasite burdens, adverse food reactions, and endocrine disorders (3,4).

IDST

Among the atopic patients, 16 dogs underwent IDST for 29 allergens (Greer Labs Inc) according to the guidelines currently in use (Table 1) (8). Drugs that could adversely affect the IDST results, such as glucocorticoids and anti-histamines, were not administered for at least 4 weeks before IDST was scheduled. The dogs were sedated with intravenous administration of 20 µg/kg medetomidine (Domitor; Pfizer). Intradermal injections of 0.1 mL of each allergen extract were administered using insulin syringes (BD Ultra-Fine, Becton, Dickinson and Company; USA). Histamine phosphate (Histatrol; Alk Abello) and 0.9% phosphate-buffered saline were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. The skin test reactions were evaluated at 0 and 15 min after injection and scored 0-4 by measuring the diameter or area of erythema or wheal. Scores 0 and 4 corresponded to the reactions of negative and positive controls, respectively. Any reaction with a score ≥2 was classified as positive. Sedation was reversed with 125 µg/kg atipamezole (Antisedan; Pfizer) administered intramuscularly.

Table 1 . Allergens used for intradermal skin test (total 29 allergens matched).

GroupAllergensConcentration
PollenBermuda grass1,000 PNU/mL
WeedsCocklebur1,000 PNU/mL
Goldenrod1,000 PNU/mL
Lamb’s Quarter1,000 PNU/mL
Pigweed. Rough/Red root1,000 PNU/mL
Plantain, English1,000 PNU/mL
Sage Mix1,000 PNU/mL
Trees and shrubs11 Tree Mix1,000 PNU/mL
Birch Mix1,000 PNU/mL
Pine Mix1,000 PNU/mL
MoldsCandida albicans1,000 PNU/mL
Fusarium solani1,000 PNU/mL
Penicillium Mix1,000 PNU/mL
Mucor Mix1,000 PNU/mL
Rhizopus Mix250 PNU/mL
YeastMalassezia pachydermatis1,000 PNU/mL
Epidermis and inhalantsCat epithelia1,000 PNU/mL
Cotton seed1,000 PNU/mL
Pyrethrum1,000 PNU/mL
Silk500 PNU/mL
Mixed feather1,000 PNU/mL
Human dander1,000 PNU/mL
House dustHouse dust mixture100 PNU/mL
House dust mitesDermatophagoides farina1:5,000 w/v
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus1:5,000 w/v
InsectsFlea1:1,000 w/v
Mosquito1,000 PNU/mL
Cockroach1,000 PNU/mL
House fly1,000 PNU/mL
Positive controlHistamine Phosphate0.0275 mg/mL
Negative control0.9% phosphate buffered saline

PNU, protein nitrogen unit; w/v, weight/volume..



MAST-immunoblot assay

MAST-immunoblot, EUROBlotOne (Euroimmun AG; Lübeck, Germany), was used to analyze the serum allergen-specific IgE concentrations. Serum samples were collected from January 2013 to June 2020. Peripheral blood was collected by jugular venipuncture and centrifuged for 10 min at 4,500 rpm. Serum samples were stored at temperatures below −70°C until the test was performed. This test kit consists of test strips with 127 allergens, including inhalation and food profile panels. Among them, only 12 allergens common with the IDST allergens were used for comparative analysis (Table 2).

Table 2 . Allergens used in the comparative analysis between intradermal skin test and multiple allergen simultaneous test.

GroupAllergens
WeedsGoldenrod
Lambenrodaller
Pigweed (Rough/Red root)
Trees and shrubsBirch Mix
Pine Mix
MoldsPenicillium Mix
YeastMalassezia pachydermatis
Epidermis and inhalantsCat epithelia
House dustHouse dust mixture
House dust mitesDermatophagoides farina
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus
InsectCockroach


To read the results, the specific IgE antibody value for each specific allergen was analyzed using a test device and divided into classes 0-6 by allergen-specific IgE concentrations according to the manufacturer’s instructions; those below class 1 (<0.35 kU/L) were considered negative.

Statistical analysis

Considering the IDST results as true, dogs with positive and negative IDST results were defined as the patient group and the control group for MAST, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predicted values (PPV), negative predicted values (NPV), and accuracy of MAST were compared with that of IDST as the standard. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (ρ) and Cohen’s kappa coefficient (κ) were used to evaluate associations and multiple levels of agreement between IDST and MAST for dichotomous parameters (qualitative and positive-negative), respectively. The predicted value was arbitrarily categorized as low (<50%), moderate (50-69%), high (70-89%), or very high (≥90%). The ρ values were interpreted as follows: ± ≥0.9 = very high, ± 0.7-0.9 = high, ± 0.5-0.7 = moderate, ± 0.3-0.5 = low, and ± <0.3 = little, if any relationship. The κ values were interpreted as follows: 0.81-1.00 = almost perfect agreement, 0.61-0.80 = substantial, 0.41-0.60 = moderate, 0.21-0.40 = fair, 0.01-0.20 = slight, and <0.01 = no agreement (2). When p-value was <0.05, the probabilities were considered statistically significant.

Results

After excluding other skin conditions and fulfillment of the clinical criteria, 35 dogs with CAD underwent IDST. Among these 35 dogs, the sera of 16 dogs were subjected to MAST. Data pertaining to breed, sex, and initial onset age of the dogs diagnosed with CAD are summarized in Table 3. The most common breeds were Shih Tzu (25%) and Maltese (25%). The mean age of onset of the CAD-related clinical signs was 2.4 years (range, 6 months-7 years). The percentage of patients with an initial onset age below 3 years was 68.7% (n = 11).

Table 3 . Signalment of sixteen dogs diagnosed with canine atopic dermatitis.

SignalmentClassificationNumber of dogs (%)
BreedShih Tzu4 (25)
Maltese4 (25)
Yorkshire Terrier1 (6.25)
Dachshund1 (6.25)
Cocker Spaniel1 (6.25)
French bulldog1 (6.25)
Golden Retriever1 (6.25)
Mixed breed3 (18.75)
SexMale9 (56.25)
Female7 (43.75)
Age of onset (years)<11 (6.25)
1-310 (62.5)
3-54 (25)
≥51 (6.25)


Comparison of IDST and MAST results

A comparison of the IDST and MAST results for each allergen has been summarized in Table 4. All 16 dogs undergoing the two tests presented at least four positive responses in IDST. The most common allergen group was house dust mites (HDM), followed by epidermis and inhalants, mold, and house dust. Among the individual allergens, Dermatophagoides farinae (75%) presented the highest positivity, followed by D. pteronyssinus (62.5%) and house dust mix (50%).

Table 4 . Detection number and percentage of positive cases in 16 dogs with atopic dermatitis in intradermal skin test and multiple allergen simultaneous test with 12 allergens.

GroupAllergenIDSTMAST IgE
No. (%) PRNo. (%) PRMV (kU/L) (R)
WeedsGoldenrod1 (6.25)1 (6.25)1.1 (1.1)
Lamb’s Quarter1 (6.25)0 (0)0
Pigweed. Rough/Red root1 (6.25)0 (0)0
Trees and shrubsBirch mixture1 (6.25)7 (43.75)1.09 (0.6-2.0)
Pine mixture1 (6.25)0 (0)0
MoldsPenicillium mixture0 (0)0 (0)0
YeastMalassezia pachydermatis1 (6.25)15 (87.5)1.73 (0.7-2.4)
Epidermis and inhalantsCat epithelia3 (18.75)16 (100)3.35 (3.1-3.0)
House dustHouse dust mixture8 (50)16 (100)2.96 (0.5-3.7)
House dust miteDermatophagoides farina12 (75)16 (100)1.78 (0.5-4.9)
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus10 (62.5)14 (87.5)2.35 (0.5-5.8)
InsectCockroach3 (18.75)3 (18.75)0.93 (0.4-1.9)

IDST, intradermal skin test; MAST, multiple allergen simultaneous test; IgE, immunoglobulin E; PR, positive reactions; MV, mean value; R, range..



Using a serum IgE cut-off of ≥0.35 kU/L for MAST, the allergens showing the most prevalent positive response and the highest detection rate were D. farinae (100%), HDM (100%), and cat epithelia (100%). The lowest positivity was observed for the Penicillium mix (IDST, 0%; MAST, 0%). When the results of both tests were compared, the concordance and discordance between them varied depending on the type of allergen (Fig. 1). When IDST was positive, MAST was positive in 0-75% and negative in 0-18.75%; when IDST was negative, MAST was positive in 0-87.5% and negative in 0-100%.

Figure 1. Concordance and discordance of the results between intradermal skin test and multiple allergen simultaneous test. +, positive response; −, negative response; IDST, intradermal skin test; MAST, multiple allergen simultaneous test; CE, cat epithelia; Co, cockroach; DF, Dermatophagoides farinae; DP, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus; Go, Goldenrod; HD, house dust; LQ, Lamb’s quarters; MP, Malassezia pachydermatis; Pe, Penicillium; Pi, pigweed.

Agreement between IDST and MAST results

The analyses of the agreement between the IDST and MAST results are summarized in Table 5. As compared to IDST, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy PPV, and NPV of MAST for all allergens were 76.2%, 64%, 66.7%, 37.5%, and 91.3%, respectively. Particularly, allergens with very high NPV (93.3-100%) included weeds (Goldenrod, Lamb’s quarter, and pigweed), trees and shrubs (birch and pine), molds (Penicillium), and yeast (Malassezia pachydermatis). The NPV of all indoor allergens (cat epithelia, house dust, D. farinae, and D. pteronyssinus) was 0%.

Table 5 . Sensitivity, specificity, positive predicted value, negative predicted value, and accuracy of multiple allergen simultaneous test against intradermal skin test.

GroupAllergenSensitivity(%)Specificity
(%)
PPV
(%)
NPV
(%)
Accuracy
(%)
WeedGoldenrod093.3093.387.5
Lamb’s Quarter0100093.893.8
Pigweed. Rough/Red root0100093.893.8
Trees and shrubsBirch mixture1006014.310062.5
Pine mixture0100093.893.8
MoldsPenicillium mixture01000100100
YeastMalassezia pachydermatis1006.76.710012.5
Epidermis and inhalantsCat epithelia100018.8018.8
House dustHouse dust mixture100050050
House dust miteDermatophagoides farina100075075
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus80057.1050
InsectCockroach80057.1050
Total76.26437.591.366.7

PPV, positive predicted value; NPV, negative predicted value..



Although the agreement between IDST and MAST for all allergens was fair (κ = 0.301), that for each allergen was poor (κ ≤ 0.008), except for birch (κ = 0.158) that showed slight agreement (Table 6). Spearman’s rank correlation analysis revealed a low correlation between the MAST and IDST results (ρ = 0.308, p = 0.001).

Table 6 . Analyses of agreement and correlation between multiple allergen simultaneous test and intradermal skin test.

GroupAllergenAgreementCorrelation
κaρbp value
WeedGoldenrod000
Lambnrodon ski0−0.0670.806
Pigweed. Rough/Red root000
Trees and shrubsBirch mixture0.1580.1850.492
Pine mixture000
MoldsPenicillium mixture000
YeastMalassezia pachydermatis0.008−0.3680.161
Epidermis and inhalantsCat epithelia000
House dustHouse dust mixture000
House dust miteDermatophagoides farina000
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus000.271
InsectCockroach000.393
Total0.3010.3080.001

aCohen’s kappa coefficient: ≤0 = poor, 0.01-0.20 = slight, 0.21-0.40 = fair, 0.41-0.60 = moderate, 0.61-0.80 = substantial, and 0.81-1.00 = almost perfect agreement..

bSpearman’s rank correlation coefficient: ± <0.3 = little if any relationship, ± 0.3-0.5 = low, ± 0.5-0.7 = moderate, ± 0.7-0.9 = high, ± ≥0.9 = very high..


Discussion

This study evaluated the agreement and correlation between MAST and IDST results as well as the reliability of MAST in diagnosing CAD. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for all allergens were 76.2%, 64%, and 37.5%, respectively, with MAST. The environmental allergens and fungi, except for birch, presented high specificity, NPV, and accuracy, while indoor allergens showed high sensitivity, moderate PPV, and low to moderate accuracy. Moreover, the MAST results for all allergens showed low agreement and correlation with IDST results and non-acceptable reliability. The agreement for each allergen ranged from poor (κ = 0) to slight (κ = 0.158), and the correlations were negligible (ρ = 0.185) or low (ρ = −0.368). Therefore, IDST may need to be conducted when the MAST result is positive for indoor allergens, but not when it is negative for environmental allergens and fungi.

In this study, the sensitivity and specificity for all allergens in the MAST were 76.2% and 64%, respectively. In human medicine, the skin prick test (SPT) is considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of AD. The MAST is also widely used, and several studies have reported its efficacy in diagnosing and treating allergic diseases (9,13). Even in veterinary medicine, this test is preferred by veterinarians and clients; nevertheless, only three reports have compared MAST with IDST in horses with allergic diseases (15-17). A previous report suggested that MAST shows good detection performance for three of five allergens with substantial diagnostic capability, but requires careful clinical analysis for few other allergens (17). The mean values of sensitivity and specificity for each allergen, depending on manufacturer’s cut-off value, were 81% (range, 44-89%) and 56% (range, 60-100%), respectively. The overall sensitivity and specificity values noted in this study are similar to those of a previous study.

Low NPV and specificity with moderate PPV and high sensitivity were identified in indoor allergens, including house dust, D. farinae, and D. pteronyssinus. Contrasting results were observed for environmental allergens and fungi. These results suggest that the frequency of exposure affects the production of allergen-specific IgE. Because all dogs in this study lived indoors, they were exposed to indoor allergens more often; hence, they may have produced more allergen-specific IgE. Therefore, IDST can be performed when the MAST result is positive for indoor allergens. However, IDST may not be needed when a negative MAST result is obtained for environmental allergens or fungi.

In this study, the accuracy of MAST relative to IDST was between 12.5% and 100% for each allergen and 66.7% for total allergens. In human medicine, a study comparing MAST and SPT in patients with chronic rhinitis reported an overall accuracy of 63.92% for total allergens and 68.39-100% for each allergen (10). In veterinary medicine, similar results were obtained in horses with AD with a mean accuracy of 73%, based on the manufacturer’s cut-off value, and ranged between 50% and 93% for each allergen (17). In previous studies of CAD comparing in vivo skin tests and in vitro assays such as RAST and ELISA, the accuracy for each allergen was 12.5-82% for RAST (6) and 43-64% for ELISA (11). Therefore, the overall accuracy of MAST in this study is similar to that of previous studies.

The agreement and correlation for all allergens between MAST and IDST were identified as fair (κ = 0.301) and with low positive correlation (ρ = 0.308), respectively. In human medicine, the agreement between MAST and SPT was reported as substantial (κ = 0.672) for total allergens (1). In another study comparing MAST and IDST results in horses, there was fair (κ = 0.432) to substantial (κ = 0.689) agreement for three of the five allergens (D. farina, Acarus siro, and D. pteronyssinus) and a moderate to high positive correlation (ρ = 0.657-0.870) for two of the five allergens (D. farina and Acarus siro) (17). The agreement in the present study result is significantly lower than that of the previous result of the studies on humans and horses, and the correlation is lower than that in horses. Therefore, the reliability of the MAST has been identified as non-acceptable in dogs.

This study has several limitations. First, the sample size included and the number of allergens compared is too small to generalize the results. Therefore, further studies using larger cohorts with more allergens will be necessary in the future. Second, the frozen serum used in this study was stored for different periods. Since MAST assays have not been evaluated for CAD, the potential influence of frozen serum is unclear.

In conclusion, the present study recommends the clinical utility of MAST as a screening test for CAD. In comparison with IDST, MAST presents different sensitivities and specificities for each allergen, with poor agreement and no correlation. However, for total allergens, MAST shows fair agreement with IDST, non-acceptable reliability, and a low positive correlation. MAST is not suitable as a method for distinguishing causative allergens of CAD, but it may be used to determine whether IDST should be performed. When a negative MAST result is obtained for environmental allergens and fungi, the IDST procedure may not be necessary. In contrast, IDST may be performed when a positive MAST result is obtained for indoor allergens.

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIT) (No. 2021R1A2C1012058).

Conflicts of Interest


The authors have no conflicting interests.

Fig 1.

Figure 1.Concordance and discordance of the results between intradermal skin test and multiple allergen simultaneous test. +, positive response; −, negative response; IDST, intradermal skin test; MAST, multiple allergen simultaneous test; CE, cat epithelia; Co, cockroach; DF, Dermatophagoides farinae; DP, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus; Go, Goldenrod; HD, house dust; LQ, Lamb’s quarters; MP, Malassezia pachydermatis; Pe, Penicillium; Pi, pigweed.
Journal of Veterinary Clinics 2021; 38: 120-126https://doi.org/10.17555/jvc.2021.38.3.120

Table 1 Allergens used for intradermal skin test (total 29 allergens matched)

GroupAllergensConcentration
PollenBermuda grass1,000 PNU/mL
WeedsCocklebur1,000 PNU/mL
Goldenrod1,000 PNU/mL
Lamb’s Quarter1,000 PNU/mL
Pigweed. Rough/Red root1,000 PNU/mL
Plantain, English1,000 PNU/mL
Sage Mix1,000 PNU/mL
Trees and shrubs11 Tree Mix1,000 PNU/mL
Birch Mix1,000 PNU/mL
Pine Mix1,000 PNU/mL
MoldsCandida albicans1,000 PNU/mL
Fusarium solani1,000 PNU/mL
Penicillium Mix1,000 PNU/mL
Mucor Mix1,000 PNU/mL
Rhizopus Mix250 PNU/mL
YeastMalassezia pachydermatis1,000 PNU/mL
Epidermis and inhalantsCat epithelia1,000 PNU/mL
Cotton seed1,000 PNU/mL
Pyrethrum1,000 PNU/mL
Silk500 PNU/mL
Mixed feather1,000 PNU/mL
Human dander1,000 PNU/mL
House dustHouse dust mixture100 PNU/mL
House dust mitesDermatophagoides farina1:5,000 w/v
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus1:5,000 w/v
InsectsFlea1:1,000 w/v
Mosquito1,000 PNU/mL
Cockroach1,000 PNU/mL
House fly1,000 PNU/mL
Positive controlHistamine Phosphate0.0275 mg/mL
Negative control0.9% phosphate buffered saline

PNU, protein nitrogen unit; w/v, weight/volume.


Table 2 Allergens used in the comparative analysis between intradermal skin test and multiple allergen simultaneous test

GroupAllergens
WeedsGoldenrod
Lambenrodaller
Pigweed (Rough/Red root)
Trees and shrubsBirch Mix
Pine Mix
MoldsPenicillium Mix
YeastMalassezia pachydermatis
Epidermis and inhalantsCat epithelia
House dustHouse dust mixture
House dust mitesDermatophagoides farina
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus
InsectCockroach

Table 3 Signalment of sixteen dogs diagnosed with canine atopic dermatitis

SignalmentClassificationNumber of dogs (%)
BreedShih Tzu4 (25)
Maltese4 (25)
Yorkshire Terrier1 (6.25)
Dachshund1 (6.25)
Cocker Spaniel1 (6.25)
French bulldog1 (6.25)
Golden Retriever1 (6.25)
Mixed breed3 (18.75)
SexMale9 (56.25)
Female7 (43.75)
Age of onset (years)<11 (6.25)
1-310 (62.5)
3-54 (25)
≥51 (6.25)

Table 4 Detection number and percentage of positive cases in 16 dogs with atopic dermatitis in intradermal skin test and multiple allergen simultaneous test with 12 allergens

GroupAllergenIDSTMAST IgE
No. (%) PRNo. (%) PRMV (kU/L) (R)
WeedsGoldenrod1 (6.25)1 (6.25)1.1 (1.1)
Lamb’s Quarter1 (6.25)0 (0)0
Pigweed. Rough/Red root1 (6.25)0 (0)0
Trees and shrubsBirch mixture1 (6.25)7 (43.75)1.09 (0.6-2.0)
Pine mixture1 (6.25)0 (0)0
MoldsPenicillium mixture0 (0)0 (0)0
YeastMalassezia pachydermatis1 (6.25)15 (87.5)1.73 (0.7-2.4)
Epidermis and inhalantsCat epithelia3 (18.75)16 (100)3.35 (3.1-3.0)
House dustHouse dust mixture8 (50)16 (100)2.96 (0.5-3.7)
House dust miteDermatophagoides farina12 (75)16 (100)1.78 (0.5-4.9)
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus10 (62.5)14 (87.5)2.35 (0.5-5.8)
InsectCockroach3 (18.75)3 (18.75)0.93 (0.4-1.9)

IDST, intradermal skin test; MAST, multiple allergen simultaneous test; IgE, immunoglobulin E; PR, positive reactions; MV, mean value; R, range.


Table 5 Sensitivity, specificity, positive predicted value, negative predicted value, and accuracy of multiple allergen simultaneous test against intradermal skin test

GroupAllergenSensitivity(%)Specificity
(%)
PPV
(%)
NPV
(%)
Accuracy
(%)
WeedGoldenrod093.3093.387.5
Lamb’s Quarter0100093.893.8
Pigweed. Rough/Red root0100093.893.8
Trees and shrubsBirch mixture1006014.310062.5
Pine mixture0100093.893.8
MoldsPenicillium mixture01000100100
YeastMalassezia pachydermatis1006.76.710012.5
Epidermis and inhalantsCat epithelia100018.8018.8
House dustHouse dust mixture100050050
House dust miteDermatophagoides farina100075075
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus80057.1050
InsectCockroach80057.1050
Total76.26437.591.366.7

PPV, positive predicted value; NPV, negative predicted value.


Table 6 Analyses of agreement and correlation between multiple allergen simultaneous test and intradermal skin test

GroupAllergenAgreementCorrelation
κaρbp value
WeedGoldenrod000
Lambnrodon ski0−0.0670.806
Pigweed. Rough/Red root000
Trees and shrubsBirch mixture0.1580.1850.492
Pine mixture000
MoldsPenicillium mixture000
YeastMalassezia pachydermatis0.008−0.3680.161
Epidermis and inhalantsCat epithelia000
House dustHouse dust mixture000
House dust miteDermatophagoides farina000
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus000.271
InsectCockroach000.393
Total0.3010.3080.001

aCohen’s kappa coefficient: ≤0 = poor, 0.01-0.20 = slight, 0.21-0.40 = fair, 0.41-0.60 = moderate, 0.61-0.80 = substantial, and 0.81-1.00 = almost perfect agreement.

bSpearman’s rank correlation coefficient: ± <0.3 = little if any relationship, ± 0.3-0.5 = low, ± 0.5-0.7 = moderate, ± 0.7-0.9 = high, ± ≥0.9 = very high.


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Vol.41 No.5 October 2024

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The Korean Society of Veterinary Clinics

pISSN 1598-298X
eISSN 2384-0749

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