Dogs & Food Intolerance

[Buster Brown]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

You could get wonky results that say he is not allergic to something he is and so on. I would never go away with my dog that has no science to back it up because it could cause more harm then good.

Taylor I realize you have a different opinion but I believe this poses less of a risk for Buster.

[Buster Brown]

W.Jean Dodds, DVM
A Short Biography

Dr. Dodds was born in Shanghai, China on January 4, 1941. She received her D.V.M. in 1964 from the Ontario Veterinary College. In 1965 she moved to the New York State Health Department in Albany and began comparative studies of animals with inherited and acquired bleeding diseases. This work continued full-time until 1986 when she moved to Southern California to establish Hemopet, the first nonprofit national blood bank program for animals.

From 1965-1986, she was a member of many national and international committees on hematology, animal models of human disease, veterinary medicine, and laboratory animal science. Dr. Dodds was a grantee of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NIH) and has over 150 research publications. She was formerly President of the Scientist’s Center for Animal Welfare, and Chairman of the Committee on Veterinary Medical Sciences and Vice-Chairman of the Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources, National Academy of Sciences. In 1974 Dr. Dodds was selected as Outstanding Woman Veterinarian of the Year, AVMA Annual Meeting, Denver, Colorado; in 1977 received the Region I Award for Outstanding Service to the Veterinary Profession from the American Animal Hospital Association, Cherry Hill, New Jersey; in 1978 and 1990 received the Gaines Fido Award as Dogdom's Woman of the Year; and the Award of Merit in 1978 in Recognition of Special Contributions to the Veterinary Profession from the American Animal Hospital Association, Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1984 she was awarded the Centennial Medal from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. In 1987 she was elected a distinguished Practitioner of the National Academy of Practice in Veterinary Medicine. In 1994 she was given the Holistic Veterinarian of the Year Award from the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, Orlando, Florida. She is a member of numerous professional societies.

Today, Dr. Dodds is actively expanding Hemopet's range of nonprofit services and educational activities. The animal blood bank program provides canine blood components, blood bank supplies, and related services throughout North America. Hemopet's retired Greyhound blood donors are adopted as pets through the Pet Life-Line arm of the project. On behalf of Hemopet, she consults in clinical pathology nationally and internationally, and regularly travels to teach animal health care professionals, companion animal fanciers, and pet guardians on hematology and blood banking, immunology, endocrinology, nutrition and holistic medicine. She is also the Editor of Advances in Veterinary Science and Comparative Medicine for Academic Press.

Notable
• Grantee of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NIH) and has over 150 research publications.
• Former President of the Scientist's Center for Animal Welfare
• Former Chairman of the Committee on Veterinary Medical Sciences, National Academy of Sciences
• Former Vice-Chairman of the Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources, National Academy of Sciences
• Former member of the National Research Council/BANR Committee on National Needs for Research in Veterinary Science, which released its report in July 2005
• Currently on Board of Directors of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association
• Currently on Board of Directors of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Foundation
Awards
• 1974: Outstanding Woman Veterinarian of the Year, AVMA Annual Meeting
• 1977: Region I Award for Outstanding Service to the Veterinary Profession from the American Animal Hospital Association
• 1978 and 1990: received the Gaines Fido Award as Dogdom's Woman of the Year
• 1978: Recognition of Special Contributions to the Veterinary Profession from the American Animal Hospital Association
• 1984: Centennial Medal from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine
• 1987: Distinguished Practitioner of the National Academy of Practice in Veterinary Medicine
• 1994: Holistic Veterinarian of the Year Award from the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association
Patents
U.S. Patent 5,196,311 ELISA Test for von Willebrand Factor
U.S. Patent 5,202,264 ELISA Using Multi-Species Antibodies for Detection of von Willebrand Factor in Multiple Species
U.S. Patent 5,486,685 Oven with Food Presence Indicator
U.S. Patent 5,830,709 Detection Method for Homologous Portions of a Class of Substances
U.S. Patent 6,287,254 Animal Health Diagnostics
U.S. Patent 6,537,213 Animal Health Care, Well-Being and Nutrition
U.S. Patent 6,730,023 Animal Genetic and Health Profile Database Management
U.S. Patent 7,029,441 Animal Health Care, Well-Being and Nutrition
U.S. Patent 7,134,995 Animal Genetic and Health Profile Database Management
U.S. Patent 7,548,839 System for Animal Health Diagnostics
U.S. Patent 7,552,039 Method for Sample Processing and Integrated Reporting of Dog Health Diagnosis
U.S. Patent 7,794,954 Detection and Measurement of Thyroid Analyte Profile
U.S. Patent 7,797,145 Animal Health Diagnostics
U.S. Patent 7,799,532 Detection and Measurement of Thyroid Hormone Autoantibodies
U.S. Patent 7,865,343 A Method of Analyzing Nutrition for a Canine or Feline Animal
U.S. Patent 7,867,720 Food Sensitivity Testing in Animals
U.S. Patent 7,873,482 Diagnostic System for Selecting Nutrition and Pharmacological Products for Animals
U.S. Patent 8,060, 354 System and Method for Determining a Nutritional Diet for a Canine or Feline Animal

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Buster Brown

W.Jean Dodds, DVM
A Short Biography

Dr. Dodds was born in Shanghai, China on January 4, 1941. She received her D.V.M. in 1964 from the Ontario Veterinary College. In 1965 she moved to the New York State Health Department in Albany and began comparative studies of animals with inherited and acquired bleeding diseases. This work continued full-time until 1986 when she moved to Southern California to establish Hemopet, the first nonprofit national blood bank program for animals.

From 1965-1986, she was a member of many national and international committees on hematology, animal models of human disease, veterinary medicine, and laboratory animal science. Dr. Dodds was a grantee of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NIH) and has over 150 research publications. She was formerly President of the Scientist’s Center for Animal Welfare, and Chairman of the Committee on Veterinary Medical Sciences and Vice-Chairman of the Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources, National Academy of Sciences. In 1974 Dr. Dodds was selected as Outstanding Woman Veterinarian of the Year, AVMA Annual Meeting, Denver, Colorado; in 1977 received the Region I Award for Outstanding Service to the Veterinary Profession from the American Animal Hospital Association, Cherry Hill, New Jersey; in 1978 and 1990 received the Gaines Fido Award as Dogdom's Woman of the Year; and the Award of Merit in 1978 in Recognition of Special Contributions to the Veterinary Profession from the American Animal Hospital Association, Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1984 she was awarded the Centennial Medal from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. In 1987 she was elected a distinguished Practitioner of the National Academy of Practice in Veterinary Medicine. In 1994 she was given the Holistic Veterinarian of the Year Award from the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, Orlando, Florida. She is a member of numerous professional societies.

Today, Dr. Dodds is actively expanding Hemopet's range of nonprofit services and educational activities. The animal blood bank program provides canine blood components, blood bank supplies, and related services throughout North America. Hemopet's retired Greyhound blood donors are adopted as pets through the Pet Life-Line arm of the project. On behalf of Hemopet, she consults in clinical pathology nationally and internationally, and regularly travels to teach animal health care professionals, companion animal fanciers, and pet guardians on hematology and blood banking, immunology, endocrinology, nutrition and holistic medicine. She is also the Editor of Advances in Veterinary Science and Comparative Medicine for Academic Press.

Notable
• Grantee of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NIH) and has over 150 research publications.
• Former President of the Scientist's Center for Animal Welfare
• Former Chairman of the Committee on Veterinary Medical Sciences, National Academy of Sciences
• Former Vice-Chairman of the Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources, National Academy of Sciences
• Former member of the National Research Council/BANR Committee on National Needs for Research in Veterinary Science, which released its report in July 2005
• Currently on Board of Directors of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association
• Currently on Board of Directors of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Foundation
Awards
• 1974: Outstanding Woman Veterinarian of the Year, AVMA Annual Meeting
• 1977: Region I Award for Outstanding Service to the Veterinary Profession from the American Animal Hospital Association
• 1978 and 1990: received the Gaines Fido Award as Dogdom's Woman of the Year
• 1978: Recognition of Special Contributions to the Veterinary Profession from the American Animal Hospital Association
• 1984: Centennial Medal from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine
• 1987: Distinguished Practitioner of the National Academy of Practice in Veterinary Medicine
• 1994: Holistic Veterinarian of the Year Award from the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association
Patents
U.S. Patent 5,196,311 ELISA Test for von Willebrand Factor
U.S. Patent 5,202,264 ELISA Using Multi-Species Antibodies for Detection of von Willebrand Factor in Multiple Species
U.S. Patent 5,486,685 Oven with Food Presence Indicator
U.S. Patent 5,830,709 Detection Method for Homologous Portions of a Class of Substances
U.S. Patent 6,287,254 Animal Health Diagnostics
U.S. Patent 6,537,213 Animal Health Care, Well-Being and Nutrition
U.S. Patent 6,730,023 Animal Genetic and Health Profile Database Management
U.S. Patent 7,029,441 Animal Health Care, Well-Being and Nutrition
U.S. Patent 7,134,995 Animal Genetic and Health Profile Database Management
U.S. Patent 7,548,839 System for Animal Health Diagnostics
U.S. Patent 7,552,039 Method for Sample Processing and Integrated Reporting of Dog Health Diagnosis
U.S. Patent 7,794,954 Detection and Measurement of Thyroid Analyte Profile
U.S. Patent 7,797,145 Animal Health Diagnostics
U.S. Patent 7,799,532 Detection and Measurement of Thyroid Hormone Autoantibodies
U.S. Patent 7,865,343 A Method of Analyzing Nutrition for a Canine or Feline Animal
U.S. Patent 7,867,720 Food Sensitivity Testing in Animals
U.S. Patent 7,873,482 Diagnostic System for Selecting Nutrition and Pharmacological Products for Animals
U.S. Patent 8,060, 354 System and Method for Determining a Nutritional Diet for a Canine or Feline Animal

I don't feel this has to do with whether there is science behind her test or not. If it really worked why would she not have studies and such to prove that? Why not do things right?

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Buster Brown

Taylor I realize you have a different opinion but I believe this poses less of a risk for Buster.

Carolyn - you know your little baby Buster best, and are very clearly wanting him to get better and feel better -- so I really do feel you'll get him there whatever path you take. I so hope it could be something as easy/simple as an ingredient in the diet, that would be so wonderful...the hard part can be figuring out *which* ingredient, if there is one. I hope you can get to the bottom of it for Buster.

I totally understand how awful it is to watch their quality of life when they're itching, have skin issues, or are paw-chewing/licking...you feel so helpless! My Marcel used to wake up at 1am to chew and lick his paws...geez I felt so bad . We tried OTC meds etc and finally did have the allergy testing and put him on Atopica. The Atopica was a little freakin' miracle for him! Within a few days, he stopped the 1am issue and I was so happy for him. He will still have occasional breakthrough symptoms like when the Palo Verdes bloom here, but other than that, his life is so much better. I haven't tried the Apoquel for any length of time bc it's never available here...but it can also be a miracle for many dogs, so it makes me curious as well.

Anyway, hope things go well for you and Buster!

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

I don't feel this has to do with whether there is science behind her test or not. If it really worked why would she not have studies and such to prove that? Why not do things right?

Agreed. Dr. Linus Pauling won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on chemical bonds, but ended his career with claims of benefits for Vitamin C and other dietary changes that never panned out. Just because a scientist has a good track record in one area does not mean that they are an expert in other areas, especially without peer-reviewed studies.

[gemy]

Thanks BusterBrown for posting Dr Jean Dodds C.V. It does show the breadth and depth of her previous accomplishments. And while not exactly pertinent to if this Nutriscan test is valid or not or worth the money or not, it does give readers to this thread a bit of background on this scientist/doctor. Like many things in life each pet owner needs to make their own decisions on best health care for their pet. This thread serves as some information and both pros n cons of using a test that is not yet proven. And let us remember that just because a test is a)not proven or b) not 100% accurate does not mean automatically it has no valid usage.

[Buster Brown]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Carolyn - you know your little baby Buster best, and are very clearly wanting him to get better and feel better -- so I really do feel you'll get him there whatever path you take. I so hope it could be something as easy/simple as an ingredient in the diet, that would be so wonderful...the hard part can be figuring out *which* ingredient, if there is one. I hope you can get to the bottom of it for Buster.

I totally understand how awful it is to watch their quality of life when they're itching, have skin issues, or are paw-chewing/licking...you feel so helpless! My Marcel used to wake up at 1am to chew and lick his paws...geez I felt so bad . We tried OTC meds etc and finally did have the allergy testing and put him on Atopica. The Atopica was a little freakin' miracle for him! Within a few days, he stopped the 1am issue and I was so happy for him. He will still have occasional breakthrough symptoms like when the Palo Verdes bloom here, but other than that, his life is so much better. I haven't tried the Apoquel for any length of time bc it's never available here...but it can also be a miracle for many dogs, so it makes me curious as well.

Anyway, hope things go well for you and Buster!

Thanks I was speaking with Cathy (107Barney) and she commented on how well Daisy did on Atopica and that the side effects were less. I wanted to compare the results of his blood work allergy tests from last year with the Nutriscan tests to start a home cooking food elimination trial for him and using the test results to exclude foods he has an intolerance for as a jump start. If he paw chewing continues then I will have to assume it's due more to environmental allergies. I will definitely look into in drugs that you and Cathy have mentioned. Thanks

[Buster Brown]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

I don't feel this has to do with whether there is science behind her test or not. If it really worked why would she not have studies and such to prove that? Why not do things right?

I actually feel that her years of research in blood work and thyroid function are part of the science behind her research. I look at it this way. Scientists have studied Global warming and published papers but other scientists say that Global Warming is a fraud. Do we wait until it is universally accepted by all scientists or do we decide for ourselves that we feel that we are adversely impacting our world and take measures now to make changes. I am a single woman with no children Buster is the love of my life. I want to make his quality of life better. To me spending money on non invasive testing to help eliminate possible food triggers and to feed him a quality diet. I have spent more that $260 dollars on Buster in Buddy Belts alone so for me to spend money on a non invasive test that might help his quality of life in cheap.

[Buster Brown]

Originally Posted by pstinard

Agreed. Dr. Linus Pauling won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on chemical bonds, but ended his career with claims of benefits for Vitamin C and other dietary changes that never panned out. Just because a scientist has a good track record in one area does not mean that they are an expert in other areas, especially without peer-reviewed studies.

True I do hope she does peer-reviewed studies.

[Buster Brown]

Originally Posted by gemy

Thanks BusterBrown for posting Dr Jean Dodds C.V. It does show the breadth and depth of her previous accomplishments. And while not exactly pertinent to if this Nutriscan test is valid or not or worth the money or not, it does give readers to this thread a bit of background on this scientist/doctor. Like many things in life each pet owner needs to make their own decisions on best health care for their pet. This thread serves as some information and both pros n cons of using a test that is not yet proven. And let us remember that just because a test is a)not proven or b) not 100% accurate does not mean automatically it has no valid usage.

I agree that at these points it should be considered.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by pstinard

Agreed. Dr. Linus Pauling won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on chemical bonds, but ended his career with claims of benefits for Vitamin C and other dietary changes that never panned out. Just because a scientist has a good track record in one area does not mean that they are an expert in other areas, especially without peer-reviewed studies.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Buster Brown

I actually feel that her years of research in blood work and thyroid function are part of the science behind her research. I look at it this way. Scientists have studied Global warming and published papers but other scientists say that Global Warming is a fraud. Do we wait until it is universally accepted by all scientists or do we decide for ourselves that we feel that we are adversely impacting our world and take measures now to make changes. I am a single woman with no children Buster is the love of my life. I want to make his quality of life better. To me spending money on non invasive testing to help eliminate possible food triggers and to feed him a quality diet. I have spent more that $260 dollars on Buster in Buddy Belts alone so for me to spend money on a non invasive test that might help his quality of life in cheap.

The issue is some people may not have that money to just throw away and may do it thinking it's a miracle. Right now there is no science behind this test period or even saliva testing. If they test was a great as she thinks and actually works why would she not go about everything the right way? It should be easy with nothing to hide and no issues.

[mimimomo]

W. Jean Dodds, DVM

Background
Research in humans has shown that the key to delayed, or latent, or pre-clinical food sensitivity testing is the identification of the offending IgG or IgA antibodies and immune complexes in serum or feces, and the offending IgA or IgM antibodies in saliva. In fact, antibodies to food ingredients can appear in the saliva before the clinical or gastrointestinal biopsy diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease or “leaky gut syndrome” is made in human patients. Saliva testing can thus reveal the latent or pre-clinical form of food sensitivity. A similar elaboration of IgA or IgM antibody in saliva but not serum pertains to animals with latent or pre-clinical gastrointestinal disease.


Delayed sensitivities are usually revealed as soon as 2 hours or as long as 72 hours after eating, which is the reason it can be difficult to connect the symptoms with a food or foods eaten as long as several days previously. There is a very high correlation between delayed food sensitivity and the amount and frequency of the food consumed.


In serum testing, food sensitivity reactions in the gut lead to increased blood levels of IgA or IgG directed to these food ingredients. Similarly, the immune complexes being formed from food reactions in the blood adhere to red blood cells and these altered blood cells are then cleared by the body’s recticuloendothelial system in the liver and spleen. Individuals having more immune complex on their red blood cells are the ones who suffer from chronic food sensitivities.


In saliva testing, deposition of food antigens or peptides in the gut has been documented in people and animals to lead to the production of IgA or IgM antibodies in the serum and in secretions such as saliva. In some situations, IgA or IgM antibodies to food ingredients appear in saliva but are not present in serum. So salivary antibodies serve as an indication of a general mucosal immune response and can be induced in people and animals without parallel antibodies being detected in serum.


A good correlation exists between the saliva/ blood ratio of substances and salivary pH. Salivary flow rate and any existing pathophysiology of the oral cavity have also been shown to affect salivary distribution of substances. Saliva content of antigens and antibodies reflects the nutritional and metabolic status of the body, as well as the emotional, hormonal, immunological status of the individual animal.

1

[mimimomo]

Examples in Animals
Food sensitivity testing for common offending allergens and peptides in dogs can be achieved. The sensitivity and testing is for grains most often associated with inflammatory bowel disease and other symptoms of adverse food reactions – such as, but not limited to wheat and other glutens, corn and soy. These three grain types are among the major constituents (top 5 ingredients) that make up the bulk of standard commercial kibble fed to most dogs. Another common allergen in pet foods or animal food compositions is beef, and the testing and screening is also directed to but not limited to other meats, fish, dairy, eggs, other grains, botanicals, oils from seeds or fish, botanicals, vegetables, nuts, or fruit.

A primary example of an immunologic food sensitivity or intolerance is sensitivity to wheat or other gluten foods, for example barley, rice, millet, and oats. In the Irish Setter breed, for example, wheat-sensitive enteropathy is an heritable condition. Immunological reactions to gluten foods causes atrophy of the intestinal villi and inflammation of the small intestine, which, in turn, results in diarrhea and weight loss from malabsorption of fluid, electrolytes, and dietary nutrients. Even though chronic or intermittent diarrhea and intermittent vomiting are the most common symptoms of this food sensitivity, there have been few studies of the prevalence of this condition in animals being presented to veterinarians with chronic diarrhea or vomiting or other common gastrointestinal symptoms. Furthermore, beyond costly measurements of serum IgE –mediated antibodies, there are no adequate methods in veterinary medicine to diagnose or noninvasively test for immunologic food sensitivities or intolerance. This frequently results in either no diagnosis or the missed diagnosis of an immunologic food sensitivity or intolerance.

Despite this situation, many animals with gluten or other food sensitivity or intolerance do not have diarrhea or weight loss, but instead have other signs and symptoms such as vague abdominal pain, nausea, abdominal bloating, flatulence, chronic fatigue, constipation, poor growth and maturity, iron deficiency anemia, osteoporosis, seizures or other neurologic disorders, or even just elevated serum liver enzyme levels. Some animals may be asymptomatic.

Furthermore, animals with gluten or other food sensitivity or intolerance may not have fully developed intestinal lesions. Therefore, the immunologic food sensitivity or intolerance of these animals may not be properly diagnosed using known testing methods, such as endoscopic intestinal biopsy and blood or serum testing. Additionally, these animals may present with other immunologic diseases such as the autoimmune diseases of skin, liver, joints, kidneys, pancreas, and thyroid gland, or microscopic colitis.

Saliva testing for food sensitivity and intolerance in animals differs significantly from all other food allergen tests available for use in animals. It is highly reproducible and clinically relevant. In serum, the food antigen or peptide being tested, and any specific IgA or IgG antibody in serum bind to each other and then fix complement. In saliva, the food antigen or peptide being tested reacts directly with the IgA or IgM antibody in the test animal’s saliva.

Delayed food-related sensitivities begin in the gastro-intestinal tract when the intestinal lining becomes hyperpermeable. This problem is known as "leaky gut syndrome" or intestinal dysbiosis, and is defined as an increase in permeability of the intestinal mucosa to partially digested protein macromolecules, micromolecules, antigens and toxins. The immunological reaction to these proteins or other molecules in the liver initiates and perpetuates chronic food sensitivity or intolerance. When the gut is unhealthy, the rest of the body is unhealthy. The disease process that ensues is typically chronic or intermittent and often involves the gut and skin, as well as internal organs such as the liver. Gastro-intestinal tract function is disrupted when the lining of the gut is inflamed or damaged. With a leaky gut, large food antigens can be absorbed into the body. The body's defense systems then attack this antigen or antigens and the result is the production of antibodies against what was once a harmless, innocuous food ingredient. These IgA or IgG antibodies and immune complexes are formed in the bloodstream and circulate throughout the body where they can damage other tissues along the way. In saliva, these reactants are typically IgA or IgM.

[mimimomo]

Comments on Saliva vs Serum Testing in People
Saliva hormone or food antigen testing is a new technology. It's been used only in the last decade and, therefore, is not yet widely accepted by the medical community. Saliva testing also is not readily available in many laboratories. Furthermore, there's room for human error when gathering the saliva sample, as food or blood can easily contaminate the specimen.
The good news is saliva collection is noninvasive, painless, relatively inexpensive and convenient for the patient. When comparing saliva and serum methods, published studies have shown a saliva sample is more accurate than a serum sample.

For this reason, measurement of saliva IgA, IgG, and IgM antibodies against specific antigens of foods, intestinal bacterial and fungal flora is of considerable importance in the pathogenesis of immunologically mediated diseases, including food allergies or intolerance and autoimmunities.
Secretory IgA is capable of functioning as a blocking antibody, which can create a barrier to certain macromolecules, bacteria, and viruses. The interaction with secretory IgA will not permit such antigens to interact with the mucosa and blocks their entrance and exposure to the gut-associated lymphoid tissue. This blockage permits the host to shield efficiently the systemic immune response, local immune response, or both, from being bombarded by many molecules. An additional role of secretory IgA is prevention of diffusion of food antigens into mucous membranes.
Unlike the immediate effects of IgE-mediated allergy, the IgG and IgA-mediated food allergy and intolerance reactions can take several days to appear. Levels of IgG and IgA antibodies in the blood against different food antigens have been used for demonstration of delayed food allergy and intolerance reactions. Therefore, raised serum or plasma IgG and IgA levels of food-specific antibodies are often associated with food allergies. However, measurement of IgG or IgA in the blood may miss abnormal immune reaction to many food antigens. In one instance, it is known that oral or intragastric administration of dietary soluble proteins such as bovine gammaglobulin (BGG) and ovalbumin or egg albumin results in salivary IgA production, but not in any antibody production in serum.

The deposition of antigens in the gut has been shown to lead to the production of IgA antibodies in secretion at sites distant from the gut, such as colostrums, lacrimal and salivary secretions in man and salivary secretions in rhesus monkeys and in rats.

A general conclusion, therefore, is that the secretory immune system can be stimulated centrally and that precursors of IgA-producing cells migrate from the gut-associated lymphoid tissue to several secretory sites in addition to the lamina propria of the gut itself. Therefore, if antigens are injected into the submucosal tissues, they are likely to induce serum IgG antibodies as well as secretory IgA antibodies in saliva. However, if it is applied topically to the skin or to the intraepithelial tissue, secretory IgA is the main product, which is detected in saliva. The role of topically applied antigen in the localization and persistence of IgA responses has been demonstrated in several secretory sites, including the respiratory tract, oral cavity, gut and vagina.