Omneity® Pellets
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
Topic:Immunology
The equine immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work collaboratively to defend against pathogens and maintain homeostasis. It consists of innate and adaptive components, each with distinct functions and mechanisms. The innate immune system provides the first line of defense through physical barriers, phagocytic cells, and the complement system. The adaptive immune system involves lymphocytes, such as B cells and T cells, which generate specific responses to antigens and provide immunological memory. Research in equine immunology explores the interactions between these components, the impact of genetic and environmental factors on immune function, and the development of vaccines and therapeutics. This page gathers peer-reviewed studies and scholarly articles focusing on the mechanisms, regulation, and clinical applications of the equine immune system in health and disease.
Seroprevalence of Leptospira in Lavradeiro horses, a semi-feral ecotype from the Northern Brazilian Amazon. Leptospirosis is a neglected zoonosis with significant impact on public and veterinary health, with equines acting as potential maintenance hosts of infection. This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of Leptospira in Lavradeiro horses under semi-feral conditions in Indigenous communities in the state of Roraima, Brazil. A total of 387 serum samples were subjected to the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), using antigens of Leptospira spp. from 18 serogroups. The overall prevalence was 15.8% (95% CI: 12.3-19.8%), with the most frequent serogroups being Australis, Tarassovi, Autumna...
Psycho-Spiritual Reflections on the Horse/Human Relationship. This essay offers a psycho-spiritual and psychoanalytic meditation on the horse-human relationship as a nonverbal site of attunement, regulation, and meaning-making. Drawing on autobiographical clinical narrative, it explores how horseback riding became a medium for experiencing and reflecting upon embodied connection, mutual responsiveness, and contemplative presence. Encounters with horses illuminate forms of reciprocity that preceded and exceed speech, while also opening reflection on maternal attachment, separation, loss, and the emergence of selfhood. In dialogue with Freud, Winnicott, Pi...
West Nile Virus in Horses as a Sentinel Host in One Health Surveillance: Epidemiological Insights and Future Perspectives. West Nile virus (WNV) is a globally distributed mosquito-borne flavivirus with significant implications for both veterinary and public health. While horses are incidental dead-end hosts, their epidemiological role extends beyond clinical disease, as they can serve as effective sentinel hosts for detecting local viral circulation. Their frequent exposure to mosquito vectors, ability to mount measurable antibody responses, geographic stability, accessibility for monitoring, and the possibility of observation within managed owner-veterinarian systems make them particularly suitable for surveillan...
Cross-protective effect of a multicomponent fusion protein vaccine during a natural episode of Streptococcus zooepidemicus respiratory disease in ponies. Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus is a highly diverse opportunistic pathogen of horses, associated with respiratory disease and endometritis. Objective: To characterise S. zooepidemicus isolates recovered from young ponies during a natural episode of respiratory disease, and to determine if vaccination with Strangvac®, a vaccine against Streptococcus equi subspecies equi, conferred cross-protection. Methods: Retrospective analysis of a double-blinded placebo-controlled study involving 32 ponies (16 vaccinates and 16 placebo controls) that experienced a natural episode of respiratory...
Short-interval longitudinal analysis of immune cell dynamics in heavy draft foals after colostrum intake. Maternal cells and antibodies are present in equine colostrum, but their relationship with immune cells in foals after colostrum ingestion remains unclear. This study longitudinally analyzed immune cells in the peripheral blood of neonatal foals at short intervals and investigated their relationship with colostral immune cells. Eleven clinically healthy draft mares and their foals were examined. Foal blood was collected before colostrum intake (0 hr) and at 2-3, 6, 12, 36-48 hr, and 3 and 7 days after ingestion. Mare blood and milk (0, 36-48 hr; 0 hr milk defined as colostrum) were also collec...
Recent Advances in Natural Products for Colitis: Mechanisms and Translational Perspectives. Colitis is a chronic relapsing inflammatory disorder characterized by persistent mucosal inflammation, epithelial barrier disruption, oxidative stress, immune dysregulation, and gut microbiota imbalance. Although current therapies have improved disease management, their long-term use is still limited by incomplete response, relapse, adverse effects, and high cost. Natural products have attracted increasing attention as promising candidates for colitis intervention because of their structural diversity, broad bioactivity, and multitarget regulatory potential. In veterinary medicine, colitis and...
Comparative analysis of mesenchymal stromal cells derived from ovarian follicular aspirates of young and aged mares. Mesenchymal stromal cells from equine ovarian follicular aspirates represent a promising source for cell-based therapies. However, the age of the donor mare may alter their biological properties and therapeutic potential. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of age on MSCs from ovarian follicular aspirates of young (< 10 years, n = 5) and aged (≥ 18 years, n = 5) mares. MSCs were isolated, expanded, cryopreserved at passage 3, and subsequently thawed to evaluate proliferation, immunophenotype, differentiation capacity, and gene expression profiles. Proliferation rates, total cel...
Composition of allogeneic equine orthobiologics and their repeated intra-articular administrations. Orthobiologics such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2MG) are increasingly used for equine musculoskeletal injuries. However, their composition and safety with repeated allogeneic intra-articular administration remain poorly investigated. Objective: To characterise orthobiological preparations with or without 1 h incubation at 37°C (PRP, PRP + Inc, A2MG, A2MG + Inc) and evaluate immunological safety following repeated intra-articular administration (autologous and allogeneic) of PRP combined with A2MG + Inc in healthy horses. Methods: In vivo experiments...
Equine infectious anemia virus blocks interferon responses through Rev-mediated activation of the stress granule-PKR-eIF2α pathway. Type I interferons (IFNs) play a pivotal role in antiviral defence by inducing interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) that target multiple stages of viral replication. Equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) is an ancient lentivirus that establishes long-term asymptomatic infections in equids, suggesting its exceptional immune evasion capabilities. However, the mechanisms by which EIAV modulates IFN responses remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that EIAV infection attenuates ISG expression at the post-transcriptional level. The viral Rev protein plays a central role by interacting with the stress g...
Identification of gene conversion events in horse IGHV suggests preferential hotspots for diversification. The humoral immune response relies on a diverse antibody repertoire, which is expanded through processes such as somatic hypermutation, class-switch recombination and gene conversion. These processes are primarily mediated by activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID). Gene conversion generates diversity in immunoglobulin heavy and light chains (IGHVs) in species such as chickens and rabbits, though it has not been widely studied. Since 80% of the equine IGHV repertoire originates from only three functional gene segments, we examined gene conversion events in horses to assess their role in an...
Immunohistological characterization of equine synovial tissue in metacarpophalangeal joints of different ages and osteoarthritis status. Synovial macrophages' role in equine osteoarthritis (OA) is not well understood, despite horses being a model for human degenerative joint disorders. Equine synovial macrophages' characterization is limited and age-related changes are not described. This study aimed to evaluate surface marker distribution and expression from potential synovial tissue macrophages in foals, adult non-affected, and OA-affected horses. Unassigned: Surface markers (CD14, CD16, CD206) were quantitatively evaluated on dorsal villous synovial biopsies from the metacarpophalangeal joint of foals (F), non-affected (cont...
Immunization of Foals with Equine Rotavirus A Vaccine Can Stabilize or Increase Rotavirus-Specific Neutralizing Antibody Titers. Despite a monovalent G3P[12] ('G3') vaccine being available for horses, equine rotavirus A (ERVA) is still the predominant infectious pathogen causing diarrhea in foals in the United States of America (U.S.). Previous research has shown that maternal neutralizing antibody (NAb) titers are too high and will interfere with the vaccination of foals at 30 and 45 days of age. We aimed to determine if it is possible to increase NAb titers in foals through vaccination before they are vulnerable to ERVA infection. We immunized two foals with the commercially available vaccine (G3) at solely three mont...
A synergistic dual-endopeptidase platform for high-yield, homogeneous F(ab’)2 production from polyclonal equine immunoglobulins for therapeutic applications. Therapeutic F(ab') fragments derived from polyclonal equine antisera remain essential emergency biologics for addressing snake envenomation, tetanus, and viral infections. Traditional production methods rely on pepsin digestion, which is limited by non-specific proteolysis, harsh acidic conditions (pH 2.0-4.0), risk of contamination from animal sources, and significant batch variability, often complicating downstream preparative separations. In this study, we introduce a synergistic dual-endopeptidase platform that integrates hinge-specific biocatalysis with affinity chromatography to facilit...
Comparison of equine PBMC isolation using two protocols: Impact on key cellular parameters. There are diverse uses for equine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in research. Studies have shown that PBMC isolation protocols can affect immune parameters of diagnostic and research assays. We aimed to assess the impact of equine blood handling techniques on cell yield, viability, and proliferation under mitogen stimulation. Whole blood (WB) samples were collected from eight healthy adult horses into heparinized tubes for PBMC isolation by comparing method 1 (M1) where freshly collected WB was layered directly over a density gradient medium for centrifugation, followed by PBMC harv...
Integrated workflow for production and in vitro characterization of equine anti-SARS-CoV-2 hyperimmune serum with epitope mapping. This study establishes an integrated workflow linking antibody production, neutralization assessment, and epitope mapping, supporting the identification of antigenic regions recognized by polyclonal antibodies generated in vivo. The viral suspension was inactivated with β-propiolactone under biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) conditions, with no cytopathic effect or plaque formation observed, confirming loss of viral replicative capacity. The produced immunogen retained antigenic activity, as demonstrated by reactivity with IgG antibodies from vaccinated and previously infected individuals. Protein an...
Evaluation of synthetic peptides derived from glycoproteins gp45 and gp90 as candidates for the immunodiagnosis of equine infectious anemia. The international scientific community continues to promote the development of diagnostic techniques with improved performance and novel capture antigens. On this basis, two synthetic peptides derived from gp45 and gp90 were evaluated to identify the best candidate for the indirect immunodetection of infection. In both assays, 68 serum samples from naturally infected horses in Granma Province (59 seropositive and 9 seronegative), previously classified using the agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test, were analyzed. The diagnostic performance of each candidate peptide was assessed by calculating ...
Inter-individual variability in equine antibody responses to African snake venoms follows heavy-tailed distributions with implications for antivenom production. Variability in the antibody response of horses used for snake antivenom manufacture is well recognized, yet its statistical structure and implications for industrial productivity remain poorly characterized. In this study, we quantified antivenom antibody titers by ELISA in a cohort of 14 horses immunized with venoms from the clinically most important snakes in sub-Saharan Africa. To integrate antibody levels with plasma availability, we calculated the Cumulative Plasma Productivity (CPP) by converting individual plasma volumes into titer-corrected equivalents and sequentially pooling these vo...
Comparison of in vitro degradation of immunoreactive adrenocorticotropic hormone and insulin in equine blood measured by two immunoassay methods. This study compared the in vitro stability of equine plasma adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and serum insulin measured by chemiluminescent assay (CLA; Siemens Immulite 2000XPi) and immunofluorescent assay (IFA; Tosoh AIA-900) after storage at 4°C or room temperature (approximately 21°C) for clinically relevant periods. Fresh equine EDTA blood for ACTH and coagulated blood for insulin were aliquoted and analysed immediately (T0) and after storage. ACTH was assessed at 24, 48 and 72 hours; insulin was assessed at 24 hours, 72 hours and 7 days. Percentage recovery relative to T0 was analyse...
Unusual, fatal neck cancer in a foal: immunohistological investigations and differential diagnosis. Neck masses may represent a diagnostic challenge for equine veterinarians, since they may involve different structures with a similar clinical appearance. Whereas neck masses in foals mostly result from non-neoplastic conditions, including various congenital abnormalities, neoplastic cervical masses have been rarely documented. This report describes the unusual case of a rapidly growing neck cancer in a four-month-old colt, resulting in a fatal outcome. Gross and immunohistological findings were most consistent with a poorly differentiated thymic carcinoma with sarcomatoid features and multifo...
In vitro cultivation of Trypanosoma equiperdum: Comparison of in vitro and in vivo antigens for an ethical and sustainable serological diagnosis of Dourine. The protozoan Trypanosoma equiperdum is the causative agent of Dourine, a contagious sexually transmitted disease of equines that can manifest itself in chronic or acute form. Dourine has serious veterinary and economic implications, as there are no vaccines available for prevention and the management of the disease requires the culling of infected animals, together with rigorous sanitary control measures. This study compares the traditional production of T. equiperdum antigen grown in vivo, with an in vitro cultivation methodology developed to eliminate the use of animals. The in vitro and in...
Molecular and serological survey on Theileria equi and Babesia caballi infecting Arabian horses in the northern provinces of Syria. Equine babesiosis is one of the prevalent diseases in horses worldwide, but its presence in Syria generally and in the northern region specifically is not known. In Syria, the civil war has severely disrupted veterinary services, hence disease control measures, creating a fertile ground for the spread of tick-borne diseases. Unassigned: This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive molecular and serological survey of and . in Arabian horses from the northern provinces of Syria, regions heavily impacted by the war. Unassigned: A total of 110 Arabian horses, aged between 2 and 10 years, were inc...
Allogeneic Platelet-Rich Gel Supernatant Reprograms the Cytokine and Growth Factor Microenvironment in an Equine In Vitro Inflammatory Tendon System. Tendinopathy involves a dysregulated inflammatory microenvironment in which cytokines, growth factors (GF) and extracellular matrix components interact dynamically. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is widely used as a regenerative therapy, but its mechanisms of action in inflamed tendon remain unclear. This study evaluated whether platelet-rich gel supernatant (PRGS) reprograms the inflammatory-anabolic mediator network in an equine in vitro tendon explant system stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Tendon explants were cultured under six experimental conditions, including non-stimulated contro...
Validation of a stall-side immunoglobulin assay for use in equine reproductive management. Equine foals receive IgG from mare colostrum through passive transfer. Failure of passive transfer (FPT) is a significant risk to the foal's life, leaving them vulnerable to infection and sepsis. Radial Immunodiffusion (RID) and immunoturbidimetric assays quantify IgG present in a foal sample but require a laboratory to complete. Accurate, reproducible, stall-side testing to rapidly quantify IgG would allow for expedited clinical decisions, with potential to improve equine foal care and survival. Objective: To evaluate the analytical and clinical performance of a stall-side IgG lateral-flow te...
A scoping review of neuroendocrinological biomarkers with potential for use in equine behavioral medicine practice. BACKGROUND: Equine emotion and welfare are of increasing concern to the general public, equestrians and researchers. There is growing demand for more objective indicators of specific emotional states, as well as the well-being of horses in a variety of contexts. Such markers may also assist in both the diagnosis and selection of biological therapies within equine behavioral medicine. RESULTS: This scoping review summarizes and appraises the published findings relating to relevant biological measurements from the last two decades. Particular attention is given to methodological, subject-related...
Glanders: Past, Present and Future of a Neglected Zoonosis as a Threat in Veterinary and Human Health. Burkholderia mallei is the causative agent of glanders, a serious zoonotic disease of major concern for both animal and human health. This highly contagious and potentially fatal bacterium is always classified as a biothreat agent. In this review, we covered a comprehensive overview of glanders, including the biology of the pathogen, epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, control strategies and ongoing eradication programs in Eurasia. We also summarized human case reports, differential diagnosis, treatment and organism's antimicrobial properties. The section on vaccine development is among the...
Multiple strategies, one mission: mesenchymal stromal cell-based mechanisms of action in osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a cross-species, multifactorial joint disease characterized by the progressive degeneration of articular cartilage, morphological remodeling of the subchondral bone, and inflammatory and fibrotic changes of the joint capsule. These alterations arise from chronic, often subclinical, inflammatory processes and dysregulated cellular homeostasis, leading to profound shifts in the cellular and extracellular composition of the joint organ. Although the mechanisms driving persistent inflammation are only partially understood, their impact on all joint-associated tissues is well...
Multivalent Disabled Infectious Single Animal (DISA)-DIVA vaccine for all nine serotypes of African horse sickness virus (AHSV) is broadly protective in IFNAR (-/-) mice. African horse sickness (AHS) is a highly severe, midge-borne disease of equids showing a mortality rate of > 90% in naive domestic horses. Outbreaks are caused by AHS virus (AHSV) and result in devastating economic losses in developing countries as equids play a crucial role in the agricultural industry and many households. The AHSV species encompasses nine serotypes showing no or limited cross protection, which is challenging regarding AHS vaccine development. Recently, and like bluetongue virus (BTV), the AHS Disabled Infectious Single Animal (DISA)-DIVA vaccine platform was developed...
Interleukins decrease epithelial protein and gene expression by K14 + CD105+ equine hoof progenitor cells. Background: Progenitor cell epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) could impact healing in the epidermal-dermal junction of the equine hoof stratum internum (SI). The hypothesis of this study was that K14 + CD105+ equine hoof SI progenitor cells assume a mesenchymal phenotype in the presence of inflammatory interleukins in vitro.Methods: K14 + CD105+ progenitor cell percentages isolated from proliferative scarred (fibrous) and healthy SI were quantified. Decellularized matrix was prepared from and K14 + CD105+ cells localized in healthy SI. Gene expression (CD44, CD105, E-cadhe...
Terpenic compounds possess anthelmintic and immunomodulatory properties with potential for controlling equine cyathostomin infections. The emergence of anthelmintic-resistant parasite isolates necessitates alternative control strategies. The use of dietary additives with anti-parasitic or immunomodulatory activities has been proposed as a solution, but whether such additives can simultaneously exert dual bioactivities within this context has rarely been explored. Here, we evaluated whether selected terpenes could exert dual bioactivities (anti-parasitic and immunomodulatory) with a view to their use as food additives that can limit strongyle infections in horses. In vitro tests with cyathostomin larval development, larval mig...
