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Topic:Insect Bite Hypersensitivity

Insect Bite Hypersensitivity (IBH) is an allergic reaction in horses caused by bites from certain insects, primarily Culicoides spp., also known as midges. It is characterized by intense itching, skin lesions, and discomfort, often leading to secondary infections due to self-trauma. The condition is seasonal and varies in severity depending on geographic location, insect prevalence, and individual horse sensitivity. IBH is a common dermatological issue in horses and serves as a model for studying allergic responses and immune regulation. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the pathophysiology, management strategies, and genetic predispositions associated with insect bite hypersensitivity in equine populations.
Developing a preventive immunization approach against insect bite hypersensitivity using recombinant allergens: A pilot study.
Veterinary immunology and immunopathology    May 15, 2015   Volume 166, Issue 1-2 8-21 doi: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2015.05.002
Jonsdottir S, Hamza E, Janda J, Rhyner C, Meinke A, Marti E, Svansson V, Torsteinsdottir S.Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is an allergic dermatitis of horses caused by bites of midges (Culicoides spp.). IgE-mediated reactions are often involved in the pathogenesis of this disease. IBH does not occur in Iceland due to the absence of Culicoides, but it occurs with a high frequency in Icelandic horses exported to mainland Europe, where Culicoides are present. We hypothesize that immunization with the Culicoides allergens before export could reduce the incidence of IBH in exported Icelandic horses. The aim of the present study was therefore to compare intradermal and intralymphatic ...
Repellent effect of topical deltamethrin on blood feeding by Culicoides on horses.
The Veterinary record    May 6, 2015   Volume 176, Issue 22 574 doi: 10.1136/vr.102800
Robin M, Archer D, McGowan C, Garros C, Gardès L, Baylis M.African horse sickness (AHS) is a vectorborne disease spread by Culicoides biting midges. The UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs currently suggests using topical deltamethrin for AHS control; however, no data are available regarding its efficacy in the horse. The aims of this study were to investigate the effect of topical deltamethrin on blood feeding by Culicoides on horses and to investigate which Culicoides species blood fed on horses. Three pairs of horses were placed in partially enclosed cages that allowed samples representing the Culicoides interacting with individ...
Allergen-Specific Cytokine Polarization Protects Shetland Ponies against Culicoides obsoletus-Induced Insect Bite Hypersensitivity.
PloS one    April 22, 2015   Volume 10, Issue 4 e0122090 doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0122090
Meulenbroeks C, van der Lugt JJ, van der Meide NM, Willemse T, Rutten VP, Zaiss DM.The immunological mechanisms explaining development of an allergy in some individuals and not in others remain incompletely understood. Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is a common, seasonal, IgE-mediated, pruritic skin disorder that affects considerable proportions of horses of different breeds, which is caused by bites of the insect Culicoides obsoletus (C. obsoletus). We investigated the allergen-specific immune status of individual horses that had either been diagnosed to be healthy or to suffer of IBH. Following intradermal allergen injection, skin biopsies were taken of IBH-affected an...
Protection of horses against Culicoides biting midges in different housing systems in Switzerland.
Veterinary parasitology    April 18, 2015   Volume 210, Issue 3-4 206-214 doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.04.006
Lincoln VJ, Page PC, Kopp C, Mathis A, von Niederhäusern R, Burger D, Herholz C.Species belonging to the Culicoides complexes (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae), obsoletus and pulicaris, in Switzerland, are potential vectors of both bluetongue virus (BTV) and African horse sickness virus (AHSV). The epidemic of BTV in 2006 and 2007 in Europe has highlighted the risk of introduction and spread of vector-borne diseases in previously non-endemic areas. As a measure of prevention, as part of an integrated control programme in the event of an outbreak of African horse sickness (AHS), it is of utmost importance to prevent, or substantially reduce, contact between horses and Culicoides....
Ultrastructure of antennal sensory organs of horse nasal-myiasis fly, Rhinoestrus purpureus (Diptera: Oestridae).
Parasitology research    April 10, 2015   Volume 114, Issue 7 2527-2533 doi: 10.1007/s00436-015-4453-8
Liu XH, Li XY, Li K, Zhang D.Rhinoestrus purpureus (Brauer, 1858) (Diptera: Oestridae) is an economically important parasite that can cause severe nasal myiasis in equids or even attacking humans. The antennae of R. purpureus were examined using stereoscopic microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The general morphology was provided detailedly, together with distribution, type, size, and ultrastructure of antennal sensilla. All the three antennal segments, antennal scape, pedicel, and funiculus, are interspersed by microtrichiae. Only mechanoreceptors are detected on antennal scape and pedicel. On antennal funiculus,...
Regulatory T cells in early life: comparative study of CD4+CD25high T cells from foals and adult horses.
PloS one    March 19, 2015   Volume 10, Issue 3 e0120661 doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0120661
Hamza E, Mirkovitch J, Steinbach F, Marti E.The immune system of mammals is subject to continuous development during the postnatal phase of life. Studies following the longitudinal development of the immune system in healthy children are limited both by ethical considerations and sample volumes. Horses represent a particular valuable large animal model for T regulatory (Treg) cells and allergy research. We have recently characterised Treg cells from horses, demonstrated their regulatory capability and showed both their expansion and induction in vitro. Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is a common allergy in horses resembling atopic de...
Efficacy of alphacypermethrin-treated high density polyethylene mesh applied to jet stalls housing horses against Culicoides biting midges in South Africa.
Veterinary parasitology    February 19, 2015   Volume 210, Issue 1-2 84-90 doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.02.007
Page PC, Labuschagne K, Venter GJ, Schoeman JP, Guthrie AJ.The efficacy of alphacypermethrin-treated high density polyethylene (HDPE) mesh applied to jet stalls against Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) was determined by mechanical aspiration of midges from horses and using Onderstepoort 220 V downdraught black light traps in four blocks of a 3 × 2 randomised design under South African field conditions. The alphacypermethrin-treated HDPE mesh applied to the stall significantly (P = 0.008) reduced the number of Culicoides midges, predominantly Culicoides (Avaritia) imicola Kieffer, mechanically aspirated from horses housed in the sta...
Cloning and expression of recombinant equine interleukin-3 and its effect on sulfidoleukotriene and cytokine production by equine peripheral blood leukocytes.
Veterinary immunology and immunopathology    December 3, 2014   Volume 163, Issue 3-4 202-209 doi: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2014.11.012
Janda J, Lehmann M, Luttmann W, Marti E.Interleukin-3 is a growth and differentiation factor for various hematopoietic cells. IL-3 also enhances stimulus-dependent release of mediators and cytokine production by mature basophils. Function of IL-3 has not been studied in horses because of lack of horse-specific reagents. Our aim was to produce recombinant equine IL-3 and test its effect on sulfidoleukotriene and cytokine production by equine peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL). Equine IL-3 was cloned, expressed in E. coli and purified. PBL of 19 healthy and 20 insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH)-affected horses were stimulated with Culi...
Development and Oviposition Preference of House Flies and Stable Flies (Diptera: Muscidae) in Six Substrates From Florida Equine Facilities.
Journal of medical entomology    November 1, 2014   Volume 51, Issue 6 1144-1150 doi: 10.1603/ME14040
Machtinger ET, Geden CJ, Hogsette JA, Leppla NC.House flies, Musca domestica L., and stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), (Diptera: Muscidae), common pests on equine facilities, were studied in the laboratory to determine the success and duration of larval development and oviposition preferences on six substrates commonly found on equine facilities. Substrates tested were hay soiled with urine and manure, fresh horse manure, pine shaving bedding soiled with urine and manure (72 h in a manure pile), builders sand bedding soiled with urine and manure aged 3 d, and soil from an overgrazed pasture mixed with urine and manure of variable age....
Multiple hypersensitivities including recurrent airway obstruction, insect bite hypersensitivity, and urticaria in 2 warmblood horse populations.
Journal of veterinary internal medicine    September 30, 2014   Volume 29, Issue 1 320-326 doi: 10.1111/jvim.12473
Kehrli D, Jandova V, Fey K, Jahn P, Gerber V.Multiple hypersensitivities (MHS) have been described in humans, cats, and dogs, but not horses. Objective: Horses suffering from recurrent airway obstruction (RAO), insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH), or urticaria (URT) will have an increased risk of also being affected by another one of these hypersensitivities. This predisposition for MHS also will be associated with decreased shedding of strongylid eggs in feces and with a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP BIEC2-224511), previously shown to be associated with RAO. Methods: The first population (P1) included 119 randomly sampled horses re...
Immune responses to ectoparasites of horses, with a focus on insect bite hypersensitivity.
Parasite immunology    September 3, 2014   Volume 36, Issue 11 560-572 doi: 10.1111/pim.12142
Wilson AD.Horses are affected by a wide variety of arthropod ectoparasites, ranging from lice which spend their entire life on the host, through ticks which feed over a period of days, to numerous biting insects that only transiently visit the host to feed. The presence of ectoparasites elicits a number of host responses including innate inflammatory responses, adaptive immune reactions and altered behaviour; all of which can reduce the severity of the parasite burden. All of these different responses are linked through immune mechanisms mediated by mast cells and IgE antibodies which have an important ...
Factors associated with Culicoides Obsoletus complex spp.-specific IgE reactivity in Icelandic horses and Shetland ponies.
Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)    May 6, 2014   Volume 201, Issue 3 395-400 doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2014.04.023
Schurink A, van der Meide NM, Savelkoul HF, Ducro BJ, Tijhaar E.Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is a common allergic skin disease in horses, caused by biting insects of the Culicoides spp. In The Netherlands, Culicoides spp. of the Obsoletus complex are the most important midges involved in IBH. The aim of the present study was to identify and quantify associations between several endogenous (host) and exogenous (environmental) factors and immunoglobulin E (IgE) reactivity against Obsoletus complex-derived whole body extract or seven recombinant allergens, measured by ELISA. Data from 143 Icelandic horses and 177 Shetland ponies were analysed using mult...
Field and in vitro insecticidal efficacy of alphacypermethrin-treated high density polyethylene mesh against Culicoides biting midges in South Africa.
Veterinary parasitology    March 6, 2014   Volume 203, Issue 1-2 184-188 doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.02.051
Page PC, Labuschagne K, Venter GJ, Schoeman JP, Guthrie AJ.The efficacy of untreated and alphacypermethrin-treated high density polyethylene (HDPE) mesh against Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) was determined using Onderstepoort downdraught black light traps and a contact bioassay. Three traps were operated overnight in four replicates of a 3×3 randomised Latin square design near horses under South African field conditions. Both the untreated and alphacypermethrin-treated HDPE mesh significantly (P<0.05) reduced the numbers of Culicoides midges, predominantly Culicoides (Avaritia) imicola Kieffer, collected in the light traps by...
Equine insect bite hypersensitivity: are molecular diagnostic tests the future?
Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)    February 26, 2014   Volume 200, Issue 2 212-213 doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2014.02.017
Marti E.No abstract available
Evaluation of a diagnostic ELISA for insect bite hypersensitivity in horses using recombinant Obsoletus complex allergens.
Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)    December 11, 2013   Volume 200, Issue 1 31-37 doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.12.004
van der Meide NM, Savelkoul HF, Meulenbroeks C, Ducro BJ, Tijhaar E.Culicoides spp. of the Obsoletus complex belong to the most important species of midge, involved in causing insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) in horses in The Netherlands. The aim of the current study was to evaluate seven different Obsoletus complex-derived recombinant allergens (Cul o 1-Cul o 7) and to compare these with Obsoletus complex whole body extract (WBE) in an IgE ELISA, using sera of 194 clinically-confirmed cases of IBH and 175 unaffected horses. The highest test accuracy was obtained with WBE, followed by Cul o 2, 3 and 5. Two ELISAs with a combination of recombinant allergens, ...
Allergen-specific immunotherapy in horses with insect bite hypersensitivity: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.
Veterinary dermatology    November 25, 2013   Volume 25, Issue 1 29-e10 doi: 10.1111/vde.12092
Ginel PJ, Hernández E, Lucena R, Blanco B, Novales M, Mozos E.Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is a common cause of pruritus in horses, but there are few controlled studies on the efficacy of allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT). Atopic dermatitis and IBH can present with overlapping clinical signs; multiple insect and environmental allergens could be indicated in these horses to achieve effective hyposensitization. Although the success of ASIT using Culicoides spp. whole-body extracts is controversial, there are no controlled studies published that clearly show benefit from this form of therapy. Objective: The objective was to evaluate the efficacy ...
Update on equine allergies.
The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine practice    October 25, 2013   Volume 29, Issue 3 541-550 doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2013.08.005
Fadok VA.Horses develop many skin and respiratory disorders that have been attributed to allergy. These disorders include pruritic skin diseases, recurrent urticaria, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, and reactive airway disease. Allergen-specific IgE has been detected in these horses, and allergen-specific immunotherapy is used to ameliorate clinical signs. The best understood atopic disease in horses is insect hypersensitivity, but the goal of effective treatment with allergen-specific immunotherapy remains elusive. In this review, updates in pathogenesis of allergic states and a brief mention of the new...
Equine allergy therapy: update on the treatment of environmental, insect bite hypersensitivity, and food allergies.
The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine practice    September 24, 2013   Volume 29, Issue 3 551-557 doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2013.08.006
Marsella R.Allergies are common in horses. It is important to identify and correct as many factors as possible to control pruritus and make the patient comfortable. Culicoides hypersensitivity is a common component in allergic horses. The main treatment continues to be rigorous fly control and avoidance of insect bites. Environmental allergies are best addressed by early identification of the offending allergens and formulation of allergen-specific immunotherapy to decrease the need for rescue medications. Food allergy is best managed with food avoidance. Urticaria is one of the manifestations of allergi...
Phospholipids in sera of horses with summer eczema: lipid analysis of the autoserum preparation used in therapy.
Equine veterinary journal    September 12, 2013   Volume 46, Issue 3 322-327 doi: 10.1111/evj.12135
Hallamaa RE, Batchu KC, Tallberg T.Equine summer eczema, also known as insect bite hypersensitivity, affects horses recurrently during summer months. The treatment of this allergic pruritus is difficult and therefore there is a need for efficacious treatments. Autoserum therapy, based on the use of autogenous serum that is specifically prepared for oral administration and given when the animal shows clinical signs has been introduced recently. Lipids are thought to be responsible for the effect of this therapy. Objective: The main aim of this study was to analyse the phospholipid content of autogenous serum preparations and to ...
In vitro induction of functional allergen-specific CD4+ CD25high Treg cells in horses affected with insect bite hypersensitivity.
Clinical and experimental allergy : journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology    July 31, 2013   Volume 43, Issue 8 889-901 doi: 10.1111/cea.12131
Hamza E, Akdis CA, Wagner B, Steinbach F, Marti E.Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is a recurrent allergic dermatitis of horses with similarities to human atopic eczema, caused by bites of insects of the genus Culicoides. Previous studies suggested a dysregulated T cell tolerance to Culicoides allergen in IBH-affected horses. Objective: We have investigated whether the suppressive function of CD4(+) CD25(high) cells is impaired in IBH-affected horses and possible ways to restore it. Methods: CD4(+) CD25(-) cells sorted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were stimulated with irradiated autologous PBMC pulsed with Culicoides or te...
Evaluation of an IgE ELISA with Culicoides spp. extracts and recombinant salivary antigens for diagnosis of insect bite hypersensitivity in Warmblood horses.
Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)    July 25, 2013   Volume 198, Issue 1 141-147 doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.06.010
Peeters LM, Janssens S, Goddeeris BM, De Keyser K, Wilson AD, Kaufmann C, Schaffartzik A, Marti E, Buys N.Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) in horses represents an immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated hypersensitivity to salivary antigens from biting midges (Culicoides spp.). The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the performances of IgE ELISAs using recombinant Culicoides spp. Obsoletus group salivary gland antigens or crude whole body extracts ('ObsWBE'), C. nubeculosus recombinant proteins (Culn1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 10) and Obsoletus group recombinant proteins (Culo1 and 2). IgE levels were measured in plasma of 343 Warmblood horses classified as IBH-affected (n=167) and IBH-unaffected (n...
Recovery of African horse sickness virus from synthetic RNA.
The Journal of general virology    July 16, 2013   Volume 94, Issue Pt 10 2259-2265 doi: 10.1099/vir.0.055905-0
Kaname Y, Celma CCP, Kanai Y, Roy P.African horse sickness virus (AHSV) is an insect-vectored emerging pathogen of equine species. AHSV (nine serotypes) is a member of the genus Orbivirus, with a morphology and coding strategy similar to that of the type member, bluetongue virus. However, these viruses are distinct at the genetic level, in the proteins they encode and in their pathobiology. AHSV infection of horses is highly virulent with a mortality rate of up to 90 %. AHSV is transmitted by Culicoides, a common European insect, and has the potential to emerge in Europe from endemic countries of Africa. As a result, a safe an...
Cloning and expression of candidate allergens from Culicoides obsoletus for diagnosis of insect bite hypersensitivity in horses.
Veterinary immunology and immunopathology    March 19, 2013   Volume 153, Issue 3-4 227-239 doi: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2013.03.005
van der Meide NM, Roders N, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM, Schaap PJ, van Oers MM, Leibold W, Savelkoul HF, Tijhaar E.Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is an IgE-mediated (Type I) hypersensitivity reaction induced by allergens from biting midges of the Culicoides spp. The aim of the present study was to identify, clone and express recombinant allergens from C. obsoletus, the main species found feeding on horses in the Netherlands, by sequence homology searches on the C. obsoletus specific RNA database, with previously described allergens from C. nubeculosus and C. sonorensis. BLAST searches with these described allergens resulted in similarity hits with 7 genes coding for C. obsoletus allergens. These allerg...
Immunogenomic analysis of insect bite hypersensitivity in a model horse population.
Veterinary immunology and immunopathology    January 3, 2013   Volume 152, Issue 3-4 260-268 doi: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2012.12.013
Vychodilova L, Matiasovic J, Bobrova O, Futas J, Klumplerova M, Stejskalova K, Cvanova M, Janova E, Osickova J, Vyskocil M, Sedlinska M, Dusek L....Equine insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is a seasonal IgE-mediated dermatosis caused by bites of insects of the genus Culicoides. A familial predisposition for the disease has been shown but, except for the MHC, the genes involved have not been identified so far. An immunogenomic analysis of IBH was performed in a model population of Old Kladruby horses, all living in the same environment. Clinical signs of IBH were used as phenotypic manifestation of IBH. Furthermore, total serum IgE levels were determined in the sera of these horses and used as an independent phenotypic marker for the immu...
Major histocompatibility complex and other allergy-related candidate genes associated with insect bite hypersensitivity in Icelandic horses.
Molecular biology reports    December 30, 2012   Volume 40, Issue 4 3333-3340 doi: 10.1007/s11033-012-2408-z
Klumplerova M, Vychodilova L, Bobrova O, Cvanova M, Futas J, Janova E, Vyskocil M, Vrtkova I, Putnova L, Dusek L, Marti E, Horin P.Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is an allergic dermatitis of horses caused by bites of insects. IBH is a multifactorial disease with contribution of genetic and environmental factors. Candidate gene association analysis of IBH was performed in a group of 89 Icelandic horses all born in Iceland and imported to Europe. Horses were classified in IBH-affected and non-affected based on clinical signs and history of recurrent dermatitis, and on the results of an in vitro sulfidoleukotriene (sLT)-release assay with Culicoides nubeculosus and Simulium vittatum extract. Different genetic markers wer...
Distance from the stable affects trapping of biting midges (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae).
Journal of vector ecology : journal of the Society for Vector Ecology    November 28, 2012   Volume 37, Issue 2 453-457 doi: 10.1111/j.1948-7134.2012.00250.x
Lühken R, Kiel E.No abstract available
Seasonal differences in cytokine expression in the skin of Shetland ponies suffering from insect bite hypersensitivity.
Veterinary immunology and immunopathology    November 19, 2012   Volume 151, Issue 1-2 147-156 doi: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2012.11.007
Meulenbroeks C, van der Meide NM, Zaiss DM, van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM, van der Lugt JJ, Smak J, Rutten VP, Willemse T.Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) in horses is a seasonal, IgE-mediated, pruritic skin disorder primarily caused by Culicoides spp. We hypothesize that a mixed Th2/Th1-type immune status, off season, alters into Th2-dominated immune reactivity in the skin of IBH-affected ponies in the IBH season. To study these immune response patterns Culicoides-specific IgE levels, skin histopathology and cytokine and transcription factor mRNA expression (IL4, IL10, IL13, IFNγ, FoxP3 and CD3(ζ)) in lesional and non-lesional skin of ponies affected by IBH in the IBH season were compared with those of the s...
Genome-wide association study of insect bite hypersensitivity in two horse populations in the Netherlands.
Genetics, selection, evolution : GSE    October 30, 2012   Volume 44, Issue 1 31 doi: 10.1186/1297-9686-44-31
Schurink A, Wolc A, Ducro BJ, Frankena K, Garrick DJ, Dekkers JC, van Arendonk JA.Insect bite hypersensitivity is a common allergic disease in horse populations worldwide. Insect bite hypersensitivity is affected by both environmental and genetic factors. However, little is known about genes contributing to the genetic variance associated with insect bite hypersensitivity. Therefore, the aim of our study was to identify and quantify genomic associations with insect bite hypersensitivity in Shetland pony mares and Icelandic horses in the Netherlands. Methods: Data on 200 Shetland pony mares and 146 Icelandic horses were collected according to a matched case-control design. C...
Risk factors for insect bite hypersensitivity in Friesian horses and Shetland ponies in The Netherlands.
Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)    July 28, 2012   Volume 195, Issue 3 382-384 doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.06.037
Schurink A, Podesta SC, Ducro BJ, van Arendonk JA, Frankena K.Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is an equine skin allergy caused by bites of Culicoides spp. and impacts on the welfare of affected horses. The aim of this study was to identify and quantify risk factors for IBH. Data from 3453 Friesian horse mares and 7074 Shetland pony mares scored for IBH by inspectors during obligatory foal inspections were analysed using breed-specific multivariable logistic regression models. The combined effect of month and year of scoring, Province and inspector were significantly associated with IBH in both breeds. In Shetland pony mares, withers height and coat co...
Culicoides obsoletus extract relevant for diagnostics of insect bite hypersensitivity in horses.
Veterinary immunology and immunopathology    July 23, 2012   Volume 149, Issue 3-4 245-254 doi: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2012.07.007
van der Meide NM, Meulenbroeks C, van Altena C, Schurink A, Ducro BJ, Wagner B, Leibold W, Rohwer J, Jacobs F, van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM....Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is an allergic dermatitis in horses caused by the bites of Culicoides species. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the applicability of whole body extracts of C. obsoletus (the main species found feeding on horses in the Netherlands), C. nubeculosus (rarely found in The Netherlands) and C. sonorensis (typical for North America) for diagnosis of IBH in horses in The Netherlands. Blood and serum samples of 10 clinically confirmed IBH affected and 10 healthy control horses were used to evaluate the IgE titers (ELISA) against the Culicoides whole body ex...