Comparison of serum concentrations of environmental allergen-specific IgE in atopic and healthy (nonatopic) horses.

This research investigates the difference in allergies between healthy horses and those with a type of allergy called atopy. The study used a range of allergens and found that the allergic horses had higher responses to several allergens as compared to healthy horses.

Methodology

• The study used Malopolski breed horses that were grouped as either atopic (allergic) or nonatopic (healthy). There were 21 horses in each group.
• Allergen-specific IgE serum concentrations were measured in these horses over the summer seasons from 2008 to 2015 using a monoclonal anti-IgE antibody.
• They utilized a Northern and Central European allergen panel containing mite, insect, mold, and plant pollen allergens. There were 15 tests of individual allergens and 5 tests of allergen mixtures in total.

Findings

• Atopic horses showed the strongest reactions against the storage mites Tyrophagus putrescentiae and the domestic mite Dermatophagoides farinae.
• These horses also had high IgE concentrations against insects, particularly Tabanus sp., the plant pollens colza, cultivated rye, and the mold pollen mixture Aspergillus/Penicillium.
• All atopic horses had a presence of IgE, suggesting they were allergic in some form.

Differences between Healthy and Allergic Horses

• Significant differences were observed in the mean specific IgE concentrations between the allergic and healthy horses, particularly in relation to mite, insect, mold and some plant allergens.
• Despite this, positive reactions were observed for a range of allergens in both the healthy and allergic horse populations indicating that some level of sensitivity is common in both groups.

Conclusion

• The study identified a high frequency of polysensitization (sensitivity to many allergens) in atopic horses, while also shedding light on the comparative allergic responses of healthy horses.
• The major allergens responsible for triggering allergic reactions in horses were identified, which can potentially assist in determining appropriate allergen-specific immunotherapies for horses in the future.