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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Equine insect hypersensitivity: skin test and biopsy results...
Equine veterinary journal1990; 22(4); 236-240; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1990.tb04259.x

Equine insect hypersensitivity: skin test and biopsy results correlated with clinical data.

Abstract: Forty-four seasonally pruritic horses and 21 asymptomatic horses in Florida, USA, were tested for insect, grass and mould hypersensitivity by intradermal injection of allergenic extracts. The affected horses ranged in age from 10 months to over 30 years and included a variety of breeds. Affected horses reacted to varying dilutions of extracts made from Culicoides, mosquitoes, horse flies and black flies. Reactions to Culicoides were more intense than those caused by injection of antigens from other arthropods. Mild pruritus existed from the end of February until the end of June when the condition worsened and remained severe until November when it improved to an asymptomatic state. Histopathological examination of skin biopsies demonstrated changes compatible with arthropod hypersensitivity. Three clinical syndromes associated with insect hypersensitivity were described as follows: 1) horses with lesions on face, ears, mane, withers, rump and tail; 2) horses with lesions on face, ears, intermandibular space, chest, belly and groin, and 3) those with a combination of dorsal and ventral lesions.
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Publication Date: 1990-07-01 PubMed ID: 1976506DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1990.tb04259.xGoogle 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 focuses on a study conducted on 44 horses in Florida, USA, which exhibited seasonal itching due to suspected insect hypersensitivity. Skin tests and biopsies were conducted on these horses, revealing their hypersensitivity to different insects and allergens. Certain findings were correlated with the time of the year, severity of the condition, and location of skin lesions on the horses.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers focused on 44 horses exhibiting pruritus (itching), and 21 horses that showed no symptoms for comparison.
  • The horses spanned a wide range of ages and breeds to provide a diverse data set.
  • Each horse was tested for hypersensitivity to insects, grass, and mould allergens. This testing involved the injection of allergenic extracts into the horses’ skin.
  • Biopsies were also taken from the horses’ skin for histopathological examination to identify any changes related to arthropod (insect) hypersensitivity.

Findings

  • The horses’ reactions varied in terms of intensity, ranging from mild to severe responses to the injected extracts. The strongest reactions were observed for extracts made from Culicoides, a type of biting midge.
  • The timing of pruritus also varied based on the season. Symptoms were mild towards the end of February until the end of June. The condition worsened from there and remained severe until November before showing improvement.
  • Three specific clinical syndromes or patterns of symptoms linked with insect hypersensitivity were identified. These were characterized by lesions that occurred on different parts of the horses’ bodies, categorized as: horses with lesions on the face, ears, mane, withers, rump and tail; horses with lesions on face, ears, intermandibular space, chest, belly and groin; those with a combination of dorsal and ventral lesions.

Interpretation and Conclusion

  • The research establishes a clear correlation between allergic reactions in horses and exposure to certain insects, particularly the Culicoides species.
  • The severity and timing of these allergic reactions appear to be influenced by the seasonal pattern of these insects’ life cycles, pointing to a direct relationship between insect activity and the observed symptoms in horses.
  • The identified clinical syndromes provide further insights into the manifestation of insect hypersensitivity in horses and could aid in improving diagnostic accuracy and determining treatment options.

Cite This Article

APA
Fadok VA, Greiner EC. (1990). Equine insect hypersensitivity: skin test and biopsy results correlated with clinical data. Equine Vet J, 22(4), 236-240. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1990.tb04259.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 22
Issue: 4
Pages: 236-240

Researcher Affiliations

Fadok, V A
  • Department of Medical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610.
Greiner, E C

    MeSH Terms

    • Animals
    • Biopsy / veterinary
    • Ceratopogonidae / immunology
    • Culicidae / immunology
    • Dermatitis, Contact / diagnosis
    • Dermatitis, Contact / veterinary
    • Diptera / immunology
    • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
    • Horses
    • Intradermal Tests / veterinary
    • Pruritus / diagnosis
    • Pruritus / veterinary
    • Seasons
    • Skin / pathology

    Citations

    This article has been cited 11 times.
    1. Barbosa JD, Sodré MHS, Barbosa CC, da Costa PSC, Oliveira CMC, Ferreira TTA, da Silveira JAS, Lamego EC, Paz MC, Caldeira RD, Magalhães Matos PC, Serruya A, Salvarani FM, Silveira NDSES. Allergic Dermatitis in Pêga Breed Donkeys (Equus asinus) Caused by Culicoides Bites in the Amazon Biome, Pará, Brazil. Animals (Basel) 2024 Apr 29;14(9).
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      doi: 10.1111/all.14145pubmed: 31816097google scholar: lookup
    6. François L, Hoskens H, Velie BD, Stinckens A, Tinel S, Lamberigts C, Peeters L, Savelkoul HFJ, Tijhaar E, Lindgren G, Janssens S, Ducro BJ, Buys N, Schurink AA. Genomic Regions Associated with IgE Levels against Culicoides spp. Antigens in Three Horse Breeds. Genes (Basel) 2019 Aug 8;10(8).
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