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Home / Equine Research Bank / BMC Vet Res / Cul o 2 specific IgG3/5 antibodies predicted Culicoides hype...
BMC veterinary research2020; 16(1); 283; doi: 10.1186/s12917-020-02499-w

Cul o 2 specific IgG3/5 antibodies predicted Culicoides hypersensitivity in a group imported Icelandic horses.

Abstract: Culicoides hypersensitivity (CH) is induced in horses by salivary allergens of Culicoides midges. In Iceland, the causal Culicoides species for CH are not present. Previous epidemiological data indicated that Icelandic horses are more susceptible to CH when they are exported from Iceland and first exposed to Culicoides at adult age. Horses born in countries where Culicoides is endemic, develop the disease less frequently. Here, we established a longitudinal allergy model to identify predictive and diagnostic serological biomarkers of CH. Results: Sixteen adult Icelandic horses from Iceland were imported to the Northeastern United States (US) during the winter and were kept in the same environment with natural Culicoides exposure for the next two years. None of the horses showed clinical allergy during the first summer of Culicoides exposure. In the second summer, 9/16 horses (56%) developed CH. Allergen specific IgE and IgG isotype responses in serum samples were analysed using nine potential Culicoides allergens in a fluorescent bead-based multiplex assay. During the first summer of Culicoides exposure, while all horses were still clinically healthy, Cul o 2 specific IgG3/5 antibodies were higher in horses that developed the allergic disease in the second summer compared to those that did not become allergic (p = 0.043). The difference in Cul o 2 specific IgG3/5 antibodies between the two groups continued to be detectable through fall (p = 0.035) and winter of the first year. During the second summer, clinical signs first appeared and Cul o 3 specific IgG3/5 isotypes were elevated in allergic horses (p = 0.041). Cul o 2 specific IgG5 (p = 0.035), and Cul o 3 specific IgG3/5 (p = 0.043) were increased in late fall of year two when clinical signs started to improve again. Conclusions: Our results identified IgG5 and IgG3/5 antibodies against Cul o 2 and Cul o 3, respectively, as markers for CH during and shortly after the allergy season in the Northeastern US. In addition, Cul o 2 specific IgG3/5 antibodies may be valuable as a predictive biomarker of CH in horses that have been exposed to Culicoides but did not yet develop clinical signs.
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Publication Date: 2020-08-10 PubMed ID: 32778104PubMed Central: PMC7418374DOI: 10.1186/s12917-020-02499-wGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 investigates the increased susceptibility of Icelandic horses to Culicoides hypersensitivity (CH), an allergy induced by salivary allergens of Culicoides midges, when they are first exposed to these midges as adults. The study establishes a longitudinal allergy model to identify serological biomarkers that can predict and diagnose CH. The researchers found that specific antibodies, IgG3/5, against allergens Cul o 2 and Cul o 3, were higher in horses that later developed the allergy.

Research Context and Purpose

  • The research focuses on Culicoides hypersensitivity (CH), an allergy in horses caused by bites from Culicoides midges. The disease is particularly prevalent among Icelandic horses imported to regions where these midges are common.
  • The purpose of the study was to establish a longitudinal allergy model and identify serological biomarkers that can predict and diagnose CH in horses.

Research Methodology

  • 16 adult Icelandic horses were imported from Iceland to the Northeastern United States during winter and kept in the same natural environment exposed to Culicoides for two years.
  • Throughout the exposure period, researchers analyzed the IgE and IgG isotype responses in the horses’ serum samples using a fluorescent bead-based multiplex assay. They used nine potential Culicoides allergens in this process.

Key Findings

  • During the first summer of Culicoides exposure, none of the horses showed any clinical allergy. However, IgG3/5 antibodies specific to the Cul o 2 allergen were found to be higher in horses that went on to develop the disease in the year that followed.
  • In the second summer, 56% of horses developed CH and demonstrated increases in IgG3/5 antibodies specific to the Cul o 3 allergen.
  • Increases in specific IgG5 and IgG3/5 antibodies against Cul o 2 and Cul o 3 respectively were noted during and after the allergy season. This suggested their potential utility as indicative markers for CH.

Significance and Conclusion

  • The study identifies specific antibodies against allergens Cul o 2 and Cul o 3 as possible markers for CH and may serve as a predictive biomarker of the disease in horses that have been exposed to Culicoides but did not yet show clinical signs.
  • This research offers valuable insights into understanding the development CH in Icelandic horses and identifying horses at risk before they exhibit symptoms, enabling preventative measures to be taken.

Cite This Article

APA
Raza F, Ivanek R, Freer H, Reiche D, Rose H, Torsteinsdóttir S, Svansson V, Björnsdóttir S, Wagner B. (2020). Cul o 2 specific IgG3/5 antibodies predicted Culicoides hypersensitivity in a group imported Icelandic horses. BMC Vet Res, 16(1), 283. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-020-02499-w

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 16
Issue: 1
Pages: 283

Researcher Affiliations

Raza, Fahad
  • Departments of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
Ivanek, Renata
  • Departments of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
Freer, Heather
  • Departments of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
Reiche, Dania
  • Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, 55216, Ingelheim, Germany.
Rose, Horst
  • Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, 55216, Ingelheim, Germany.
Torsteinsdóttir, Sigurbjörg
  • Institute for Experimental Pathology, University of Iceland, Keldnavegur 3, 112 Reykjavik, Keldur, Iceland.
Svansson, Vilhjálmur
  • Institute for Experimental Pathology, University of Iceland, Keldnavegur 3, 112 Reykjavik, Keldur, Iceland.
Björnsdóttir, Sigríður
  • Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority, MAST, Office of Animal Health and Welfare, 800, Selfoss, Iceland.
Wagner, Bettina
  • Departments of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA. bw73@cornell.edu.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Ceratopogonidae / immunology
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / immunology
  • Horses
  • Hypersensitivity / immunology
  • Hypersensitivity / veterinary
  • Immunoglobulin E / blood
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Insect Bites and Stings / complications
  • Insect Bites and Stings / immunology
  • Insect Bites and Stings / veterinary
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • New York
  • Seasons

Grant Funding

  • NA / Harry M. Zweig Memorial Fund for Equine Research
  • #2005-01812 / National Institute of Food and Agriculture
  • NA / Boehringer Ingelheim

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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