Investigations on the role of staphylococci in the pathogenesis of German shepherd dog pyoderma (GSP).

Skin reaction patterns to intradermal injections of a Staphylococcus intermedius antigen were examined in physically healthy dogs and in dogs with German Shepherd dog Pyoderma (GSP) at 15 and 30 minutes and at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 24, 48 and 72 hours after the injection. In both groups the skin histopathology revealed an aspecific inflammatory response of an early polymorphonuclear reaction, followed by a mononuclear cell reaction at 24 and 48 hours. It is concluded that hypersensitivity to staphylococcal antigens does not play a role in the pathogenesis of GSP.