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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract / Corticosteroids and Immune Suppressive Therapies in Horses.
The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine practice2017; 33(1); 17-27; doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2016.11.008

Corticosteroids and Immune Suppressive Therapies in Horses.

Abstract: Immune suppressive therapies target exaggerated and deleterious responses of the immune system. Triggered by exogenous or endogenous factors, these improper responses can lead to immune or inflammatory manifestations, such as urticaria, equine asthma, or autoimmune and immune-mediated diseases. Glucocorticoids are the most commonly used immune suppressive drugs and the only ones supported by robust evidence of clinical efficacy in equine medicine. In some conditions, combining glucocorticoids with other pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments, such as azathioprine, antihistamine, bronchodilators, environmental management, or desensitization, can help to decrease dosages and associated side effects.
Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2017-03-23 PubMed ID: 28325178DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2016.11.008Google 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.

The study focuses on the use of immune suppressive therapies, such as corticosteroids, in horses to manage overactive immune responses that can lead to various health conditions. These therapies may be combined with other treatments to decrease potential side effects.

Research Focus

  • The study investigates the application of immune suppressive therapies in horses. These therapies are designed to reduce exaggerated and harmful responses of the immune system. They can be triggered by internal or external factors, resulting in immune or inflammatory conditions such as urticaria, equine asthma, and autoimmune and immune-mediated diseases.

Role and Efficacy of Glucocorticoids

  • Glucocorticoids are the most popular immune suppressive drugs used. The study points out that their use is backed by strong evidence of clinical efficacy in equine medicine.
  • Glucocorticoids, a type of corticosteroid, work by reducing inflammation and suppressing the activity of the immune system.
  • The effectiveness of these drugs makes them a primary choice for treating conditions where the immune response is excessively strong and damaging.

Combination Therapies

  • The research also looks into the practice of combining glucocorticoids with other pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments.
  • These other treatments could comprise azathioprine, antihistamines, bronchodilators, environmental management strategies, or methods for desensitization.
  • The aim of this combination therapy is to help decrease the dosages of glucocorticoids that are necessary and thus reduce the related side effects.
  • Side effects of glucocorticoid use can include appetite and weight changes, increased blood sugar levels, and susceptibility to infections due to an inhibited immune response, among others.

Cite This Article

APA
Leclere M. (2017). Corticosteroids and Immune Suppressive Therapies in Horses. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract, 33(1), 17-27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cveq.2016.11.008

Publication

The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine practice
ISSN: 1558-4224
NlmUniqueID: 8511904
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 33
Issue: 1
Pages: 17-27

Researcher Affiliations

Leclere, Mathilde
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, 3200 Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, Q J2S 7C6, Canada. Electronic address: mathilde.leclere@umontreal.ca.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Horse Diseases / drug therapy
  • Horse Diseases / immunology
  • Horses
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use

Citations

This article has been cited 12 times.
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    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.541112pubmed: 33134345google scholar: lookup
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