Co-reactivity between related and unrelated environmental allergens in equine allergen-specific IgE serology testing in the UK.
- Evaluation Study
- Journal Article
- Observational Study
- Veterinary
Summary
The research paper investigates the co-reactivity of 44 different environmental allergens in horses with suspected allergies. By performing allergen-specific IgE serological assays and statistically evaluating the results, the study finds significant associations between related and unrelated allergen pairs.
Objective
The core objective of this study was to evaluate allergenic co-reactivity between 44 environmental allergens in horses showing symptoms of allergic disease. Through these tests, the researchers aimed to create an understanding that would aid in allergen avoidance and targeted immunotherapy for horses.
Methods
- The study involved 344 horses with suspected allergic disease whose sera were tested for environmental allergen sensitivity.
- The researchers performed allergen-specific IgE serological assays using 44 different allergens, which they divided into six taxonomically related groups like house dust/storage mites, moulds, insects, grass, tree, and weed pollens.
- The researchers applied pairwise comparisons and calculated the odds ratios (ORs) for every environmental pair to see if testing positive for one allergen might lead to increased or decreased likelihood of a positive result for another allergen.
- Statistical significance thresholds were set using Holm-Bonferroni correction at P < 0.00006 for all horses and P < 0.00005 for horses with at least one positive reaction.
- The research team employed one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc tests to examine the differences in mean log e ORs between three groups—taxonomically related allergens with a significant association, related allergens lacking a significant association, and unrelated allergens.
Results
- The research found statistically significant associations between both related and unrelated allergen pairs, with the related pairs being more frequent.
- Co-reactivity ranged from 100% for grasses to 0% for moulds in both total horses and those with at least one positive reaction.
- The weed group stood out for having more co-reactions with another group (grasses).
Conclusion
The study concluded that there is co-reactivity both within and between certain related allergen groups. However, the researchers also emphasized that further studies are needed to ascertain whether this co-reactivity results from antigenic cross-reactivity. The findings have significant implications for addressing allergic diseases in horses through allergen avoidance and targeted immunotherapy.
Cite This Article
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Avacta Animal Health, Unit 651, Street 5, Thorp Arch Estate, Wetherby, Yorkshire, LS23 7FZ, UK.
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Edinburgh, EH25 9RG, UK.
- Avacta Animal Health, Unit 651, Street 5, Thorp Arch Estate, Wetherby, Yorkshire, LS23 7FZ, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Allergens / immunology
- Animals
- Fungi / immunology
- Horses / immunology
- Hypersensitivity / veterinary
- Immunoglobulin E / blood
- Immunoglobulin E / immunology
- Poaceae / immunology
- Pollen / immunology
- Retrospective Studies
- Serologic Tests / veterinary
- Skin Tests / veterinary
- United Kingdom
Grant Funding
- Avacta Animal Health
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