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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Allergic dermatitis (sweet itch) of Icelandic horses in Swed...
Equine veterinary journal1987; 19(3); 229-236; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1987.tb01389.x

Allergic dermatitis (sweet itch) of Icelandic horses in Sweden: an epidemiological study.

Abstract: A survey of allergic dermatitis (sweet itch) in Sweden contained information on 441 Icelandic horses. Results of a questionnaire indicated that approximately 15 per cent of the country's Icelandic horses suffered from the disease. The prevalence of allergic dermatitis was significantly higher among horses imported from Iceland (26.2 per cent) compared to that of Swedish-born animals (6.7 per cent). In addition, horses born in Iceland were significantly more severely affected than horses born in Sweden. The risk of allergic dermatitis in Sweden appeared to be more than six times higher for horses exported from Iceland to Sweden relative to that of horses originally born in Sweden. The prevalence of disease for horses of seven years or older was 30 per cent for Icelandic-born individuals as compared to 7.3 per cent for horses born in Sweden. Similarly, the risk of allergic dermatitis in Sweden for horses of seven years or older appeared to be nearly 10 times higher for horses imported from Iceland relative to that of horses born in Sweden. Allergic dermatitis usually appeared during the third grazing season for imported horses and during the fourth season for horses born in Sweden. Furthermore, the course of the disease tended to become worse with time. Analysis of the prevalence of allergic dermatitis relative to gender revealed no significant differences. Certain geographical variations in the prevalence of the disease was also found.
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Publication Date: 1987-05-01 PubMed ID: 3608962DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1987.tb01389.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article explores the prevalence of allergic dermatitis, commonly known as sweet itch, among Icelandic horses in Sweden. The survey reveals a higher occurrence of the condition among horses imported from Iceland compared to those born in Sweden.

Study Objective and Methodology

  • The main objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and severity of allergic dermatitis (sweet itch) among Icelandic horses in Sweden.
  • The researchers used a survey to collect data on the disease from 441 Icelandic horses in the country.
  • A questionnaire was utilized to gather this data, providing a large sample base for the study.

Findings of the Study

  • About 15% of Icelandic horses in Sweden suffered from allergic dermatitis
  • Icelandic horses imported from Iceland had a significantly higher prevalence of sweet itch at 26.2% compared to 6.7% for horses born in Sweden.
  • The disease was not only more prevalent among imported Icelandic horses, but it was also observed to be more severe in these horses compared to those born in Sweden.
  • The risk of allergic dermatitis among horses exported from Iceland to Sweden was more than six times relative to horses born in Sweden.
  • For horses aged seven years or older, the prevalence was 30% for Icelandic-born individuals and 7.3% for Swedish-born horses. The risk for horses of seven years or older imported from Iceland to Sweden was nearly ten times higher compared to Swedish-born horses.
  • Most cases of allergic dermatitis appeared during the third grazing season for imported horses and during the fourth season for horses born in Sweden.
  • The severity of the disease seemed to worsen with time.
  • No significant differences were noted in the prevalence of the disease in relation to gender.

Conclusion and Recommendations

  • The study concludes that allergic dermatitis is more prevalent and severe in Icelandic horses that are imported from Iceland to Sweden than in those that are born in Sweden.
  • It is suggested that more in-depth studies could be carried out to determine the causes of the higher prevalence and the possible preventive measures that could be taken to minimize the disease among Icelandic horses in Sweden.

Cite This Article

APA
Broström H, Larsson A, Troedsson M. (1987). Allergic dermatitis (sweet itch) of Icelandic horses in Sweden: an epidemiological study. Equine Vet J, 19(3), 229-236. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1987.tb01389.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 19
Issue: 3
Pages: 229-236

Researcher Affiliations

Broström, H
    Larsson, A
      Troedsson, M

        MeSH Terms

        • Age Factors
        • Animals
        • Ceratopogonidae
        • Dermatitis / epidemiology
        • Dermatitis / veterinary
        • Female
        • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
        • Horses
        • Hypersensitivity / epidemiology
        • Hypersensitivity / veterinary
        • Iceland
        • Male
        • Sex Factors
        • Sweden
        • Time Factors

        Citations

        This article has been cited 13 times.
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          doi: 10.3390/microorganisms11112706pubmed: 38004718google scholar: lookup
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          doi: 10.3390/ani13081283pubmed: 37106846google scholar: lookup
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          doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0266263pubmed: 35913947google scholar: lookup
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        7. François L, Hoskens H, Velie BD, Stinckens A, Tinel S, Lamberigts C, Peeters L, Savelkoul HFJ, Tijhaar E, Lindgren G, Janssens S, Ducro BJ, Buys N, Schurink AA. Genomic Regions Associated with IgE Levels against Culicoides spp. Antigens in Three Horse Breeds. Genes (Basel) 2019 Aug 8;10(8).
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        9. Schurink A, Wolc A, Ducro BJ, Frankena K, Garrick DJ, Dekkers JC, van Arendonk JA. Genome-wide association study of insect bite hypersensitivity in two horse populations in the Netherlands. Genet Sel Evol 2012 Oct 30;44(1):31.
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          doi: 10.1186/1751-0147-48-3pubmed: 16987399google scholar: lookup
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