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Am. Adv. J. Biol. Sci, 2015; 1 (2), 94-96
94
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Case Report
A Case Report of Acanthosis nigricans in a Male Terrier
Seyed Milad Vahedi1, Ramin Mazaheri Nezhad Fard2, NaghaTamimi1, Seyed Javid Aldavood1*
1Department
2Rastegar
of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Reference Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
ARTICLE INFO
Article history:
Received: 03 May, 2015
Revised: 29 May, 2015
Accepted: 27 Jun, 2015
Published: 30 Jul, 2015
Key words:
Acanthosisnigricans
Atopy
Dog
Skin
Iran
ABSTRACT
Objective: Acanthosis nigricans is a skin disease that presents in the form of
increased skin thickness and hyper segmentation, especially in armpits and groin.
Methods: An eighteen-month-old male terrier with itchiness and skin color change in
armpits and groin was referred to the Small Animal Teaching Hospital of the Faculty
of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran. The dog case history showed incorrect
food regime as well. Clinical examination showed increased skin thickness and hyper
pigmentation in mentioned body areas. Hematology and biochemistry tests were
unremarkable. Results: Based on the clinical symptoms and paraclinical
examinations, atopic Acanthosis nigricans was diagnosed. Treatment was focused on
corticosteroid therapy and diet change. The clinical symptoms were improved after a
few days. Conclusions: To treat the disease successfully, the main reason should be
detected and resolved. The case history is very important in affected dogs.
INTRODUCTION
Acanthosisnigricans is a clinical reaction that associated
with alopecia, elephantiasis, hyperpigmentation and
increased skin thickness in armpits and groin (Stokking
and Campbell, 2003; Phiske, 2014; Schwartz, 1994).
Characteristic symptoms in dogs include skin color
change and increased skin thickness. Although
Acanthosis nigricans cannot clinically be distinguished by
itself, the pathogenesis can weakly be recognized by the
veterinarians (Groos et al. 1993). Clinical symptoms are
results of inflammation and dermatitis, and occur in
different forms. The inflammation occurs in primary
(idiopathic) or secondary form (Roy et al. 2012; Groos et
al. 1993; Hernandez-Perez, 1984).
The primary form of Acanthosis nigricans is a very rare
disease. This hereditary form is only seen in Dachshunds
and is considered as a skin genetic implication. Clinical
symptoms in this form are usually seen in young dogs
(Puri, 2011). The secondary form of acanthosisnigricans
is more common in dogs and occurs in any breeds or
ages. The risk factors include organ deformation, friction
caused by overweight, contact disorders, hormone
imbalance such as hypothyroidism, Cushing syndrome,
sexual hormone disorders, food hypersensitivity, atopy
and contact allergies. Skin itching in armpits and inguinal
region is correlated with atopy and food allergies.
*Corresponding Author: Seyed Javid Aldavood, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of
Tehran, Tehran, Iran. ([email protected])
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Vahedi et al/ Am. Adv. J. Biol. Sci, 2015; 1 (2), 94-96
Contact dermatitis and skin infection such as
staphylococcal pyoderma and malassezia skin
inflammation may be present. Asymmetric pigmentation
and/or elephantiasis in armpits and perinea can be seen.
Erythematous reaction often presents in the borders of
lesion. This secondary bacterial infection or fungal
pyoderma sign can be seen in the ventral surface of neck,
groin, abdomen, perinea and periorbital areas and is
associated with itching. Clinical diagnosis of Acanthosis
nigricans is difficult. Underlying reasons of itching in
species other than Dachshunds must be investigated in
physical examinations carefully. In this paper, Acanthosis
nigricans in a mature male terrier is reported (Puri,
2011; Groos et al. 1993).
CASE REPORT
An eighteen-month-old male terrier with itching and skin
color change in armpits and groin was referred to the
Small Animal Teaching Hospital of the Faculty of
Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran. The dog case
history showed permanent skin itchiness and incorrect
food regime over the past months. Clinical examination
showed hyperpgmentation and increased skin thickness
in mentioned body areas (Figure 1). Clinical symptoms
included asymmetric elephantiasis in armpits and
perinea, cutaneous erythematous reaction in borders of
the lesions and itching. Clinical examination showed the
good general health condition of the dog. Hematology
and biochemistry tests were unremarkable. The
secondary form of Acanthosis nigricans was diagnosed
based on the clinical symptoms.
However the primary form of Acanthosis nigricans
cannot be treated; the secondary form shows a better
response to medicine. The secondary forms usually
respond to shampoo therapy and topical glucocorticoids
such as betamethasone ointment. Systemic treatment is
used when the lesions develop. Following a systemic
treatment, vitamin E or a combination of vitamin E and
general glucocorticoids must be used for weeks or, in
some cases, for months. Antimicrobial therapy is a
common treatment in the secondary form. In the current
case, Treatment was focused on corticosteroid therapy
and diet change. The clinical symptoms were improved
after a few days. Obvious decrease of hyperpigmentation
can be seen in Figure 2. Lesions usually are cleared up in
secondary
forms.
Cephalexin,
itraconazole
or
ketoconazole can be prescribed if the bacterial infection
or fungal pyoderma is not treated completely.
Antimicrobial therapy and anti-seborrhea shampoos are
appropriate treatments in diagnosed dogs.
Figure 1. Acanthosis nigricans skin color change
(hyperpigmantation) in a male terrier
Figure 2. Skin normal color recovery in a male terrier
after the successful treatment of Acanthosis nigricans
DISCUSSION
Although Acanthosis nigricans is told to be a polygenic
antosomal recessive disorder, it has not already been
proven as a hereditary disease (Puri, 2011). To treat the
disease successfully, the main reason should be detected
and resolved. Although corticosteroids help to reduce the
skin inflammation, vitamin E can be useful in some cases
as well (Kapoor, 2010; Higgins et al. 2008; Schwartz,
1994; Moradi et al. 2015). The case history is very
important in affected dogs. Acanthosis nigricans is not a
zoonotic disease.
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