Atopy Study Update
From Ann Marie Holowathy,
Westie Foundation of America Atopy Task Force
Fall 2007
The first phase of the Atopic
Dermatitis(AD) study being
conducted by Dr. Thierry Olivry
at NCSU has been completed
and the preliminary results look
very promising. The study is
investigating the genetic factors
that trigger atopic dermatitis in
Westies. From mid-2004 until the
end of 2006, 225
questionnaires
were submitted
from breeders
and owners of
Westies including
dogs with
normal skin and
some with atopic
dermatitis. Of
these, 114 Westies
belonging
to 12 different
family groups
with at least 2-3
generations were
selected to participate in DNA
extraction and serum testing.
Blood samples were requested
and received from 109 of the Westies
and DNA was extracted from
those blood samples.
A biostatistician from NCSU analyzed
the pedigrees to determine
the most likely mode of transmission
of the disease. According to
Dr. Olivry,
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“In all, the pedigree
assembled and samples collected
offer an excellent possibility
of identifying genomic regions containing genes with moderate
effects influencing the AD trait.”
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Based on these encouraging
results, the researchers are now
moving on to the second phase of
the study which involves conducting
a linkage study to search
for a DNA marker for AD. The
Westie Foundation
of America
provided matching
funds to
co-sponsor
this work with
NCSU.
Our thanks go
out to the many
Westie breeders
and owners who
submitted questionnaires
and
blood samples,
the key components
in this study. Your motivation
to support scientific research
such as this, which may ultimately
affect the health and welfare of
our breed, is truly appreciated and
your efforts are commendable. We
are also grateful to Dr. Olivry and
his team who are working diligently
to understand the genetic
basis of atopic dermatitis.
We will keep you updated as to
the status of the next phase of the
study and of any new developments that arise.
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