Duration of antigen-induced hyperresponsiveness in horses with allergic respiratory disease and possible links with early airway obstruction.
Abstract: Antigen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in allergic horses has previously been demonstrated when clinical signs of acute airway obstruction were apparent, as a consequence of exposure of animals to hay and straw for variable periods of time, and repeat measurements of hyperresponsiveness have been made no earlier than 1 week after challenge. In the present study airway responsiveness to methacholine has been measured in normal horses and allergic horses in clinical remission before and 24, 48 and 72 h after a hay and straw challenge of fixed, short, duration (7 h). Correlations between early increases in interpleural pressure and hyperresponsiveness have also been investigated. As in other studies, the mean airway responsiveness of groups of normal and allergic horses in clinical remission was not significantly different. The responsiveness to methacholine of allergic, but not normal, horses was increased after antigen challenge and was significantly greater than that of normal horses at 48 and 72 h after challenge (log PD8 cm: -0.77 +/- 0.28 vs. 0.27 +/- 0.14 at 48 h and -0.6 +/- 0.25 vs. 044 +/- 01 at 72 h; P < 0.05). There was also a significant correlation between interpleural pressure at the end of the 7-h challenge in allergic horses and the increase in responsiveness to methacholine at 24, 48 and 72 h. These results demonstrate that antigen induces an increase in airway responsiveness in allergic horses that persists for up to 3 days and which may be linked to the initial increase in interpleural pressure.
Publication Date: 1993-12-01 PubMed ID: 8126764DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2885.1993.tb00213.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research study investigates the duration of hyperresponsiveness in the airways of allergic horses after exposure to hay and straw, and suggests a link between early airway obstruction and this prolonged hyperresponsiveness.
Objective and Methodology
- The main objective of the study was to understand the duration of antigen-induced hyperresponsiveness (a heightened reaction to allergens) in horses with allergic respiratory disease, especially after exposure to common allergens, i.e., hay and straw.
- The researchers measured airway responsiveness to methacholine, a substance that causes muscle contractions in the airway, in normal (non-allergic) horses and allergic horses before and at multiple time points (24, 48, and 72 h) after a fixed, short duration (7 hours) hay and straw challenge.
- They also explored the correlation between early increases in interpleural pressure, a measure of the pressure in the space between the lung and chest wall, and the hyperresponsiveness.
Key Findings
- The research found that there is no significant difference in airway responsiveness detected between normal horses and allergic horses in remission.
- However, horses with allergies showed a significant increase in responsiveness to methacholine after exposure to the allergen. Their responsiveness was visibly higher when compared to normal horses at 48 and 72 hours post challenge.
- Horses with allergies were found to have significant correlations between the observed increase in interpleural pressure at the end of the 7-hour allergen challenge and the increment in methacholine responsiveness at 24, 48, and 72 hours post-exposure.
Conclusion and Implications
- The results suggest that allergy-inducing antigens lead to an augmentation in airway responsiveness in allergic horses and this elevated level can persist for up to three days post-exposure.
- This finding indicates a likely link between the initial increase in interpleural pressure, an early sign of airway obstruction, and prolonged hyperresponsiveness in allergic horses.
- Understanding these mechanisms can potentially inform the development of more effective treatments for horses showing allergic respiratory responses.
Cite This Article
APA
Fairbairn SM, Lees P, Page CP, Cunningham FM.
(1993).
Duration of antigen-induced hyperresponsiveness in horses with allergic respiratory disease and possible links with early airway obstruction.
J Vet Pharmacol Ther, 16(4), 469-476.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2885.1993.tb00213.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Basic Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, Hertfordshire, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Airway Obstruction / physiopathology
- Airway Obstruction / veterinary
- Animals
- Bronchial Hyperreactivity / physiopathology
- Bronchial Hyperreactivity / veterinary
- Bronchial Provocation Tests / methods
- Bronchial Provocation Tests / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horses
- Lung Diseases, Obstructive / physiopathology
- Lung Diseases, Obstructive / veterinary
- Methacholine Chloride
- Respiratory Function Tests / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Frippiat T, Art T, Tosi I. Airway Hyperresponsiveness, but Not Bronchoalveolar Inflammatory Cytokines Profiles, Is Modified at the Subclinical Onset of Severe Equine Asthma. Animals (Basel) 2023 Aug 1;13(15).
- Nyerges-Bohák Z, Kovács L, Povázsai Á, Hamar E, Póti P, Ladányi M. Heart rate variability in horses with and without severe equine asthma. Equine Vet J 2025 May;57(3):611-618.
- Simões J, Tilley P. Decision Making in Severe Equine Asthma-Diagnosis and Monitoring. Animals (Basel) 2023 Dec 16;13(24).
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