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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Exercise alters the immune response to equine influenza viru...
Equine veterinary journal2002; 33(7); 664-669; doi: 10.2746/042516401776249417

Exercise alters the immune response to equine influenza virus and increases susceptibility to infection.

Abstract: Equine influenza virus remains a major health concern for the equine industry in spite of ongoing vaccination programmes. Previous work has shown that the immune system of horses can be affected by strenuous exercise. The possible adverse consequence of exercise-induced alterations in lymphocyte responses measured in vitro was unknown. Here we demonstrate that subjecting vaccinated ponies to a 5 day strenuous exercise programme results in a significant suppression of their T cell-mediated immune response to equine influenza virus as measured by decreased lymphoproliferation and gamma interferon production measured in vitro. These same ponies also demonstrated increased susceptibility to influenza disease following a challenge exposure to the same strain of virus. Rested ponies that had received the same vaccine and challenge were completely protected from disease. Our results demonstrate that exercise-induced suppression of the equine immune response to influenza virus can be associated with an increased susceptibility to disease.
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Publication Date: 2002-01-05 PubMed ID: 11770987DOI: 10.2746/042516401776249417Google 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.

The research article discusses how strenuous exercise affects the immune response of horses to influenza virus, increasing their susceptibility to infection.

Background

  • The authors point out that equine influenza virus is a significant health issue in spite of ongoing vaccination programmes.
  • A crucial factor is that the immune system of a horse can be negatively affected by strenuous exercise. However, how this exercise-induced alteration in lymphocyte responses (white blood cells that help fight infections) affects a horse’s immunity to the virus was unclear.

Research Methodology

  • To explore this, the researchers carried out a study where vaccinated ponies were subjected to a strenuous exercise programme for five days.
  • The researchers studied the T cell-mediated immune response to the virus in these ponies, by analyzing their lymphocyte proliferation and production of gamma interferon (a substance that stimulates the immune system).

Findings

  • They found that this strenuous exercise resulted in a significant suppression of the ponies’ immune response to the influenza virus.
  • The ponies had decreased lymphocyte proliferation and gamma interferon production.
  • Importantly, these ponies also demonstrated increased susceptibility to the influenza disease after being exposed to the virus.
  • In contrast, a control group of ponies that had been resting (but had received the same vaccine and were exposed to the virus) were fully protected from the disease.

Conclusions

  • The findings show that the immune response in horses to the influenza virus can be hindered by strenuous exercise.
  • This weakened immune response is associated with an increased susceptibility to the disease.
  • These results have important implications for managing the health and training of horses, particularly regarding the timing of vaccinations and intense exercise.

Cite This Article

APA
Folsom RW, Littlefield-Chabaud MA, French DD, Pourciau SS, Mistric L, Horohov DW. (2002). Exercise alters the immune response to equine influenza virus and increases susceptibility to infection. Equine Vet J, 33(7), 664-669. https://doi.org/10.2746/042516401776249417

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 33
Issue: 7
Pages: 664-669

Researcher Affiliations

Folsom, R W
  • Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge 70803, USA.
Littlefield-Chabaud, M A
    French, D D
      Pourciau, S S
        Mistric, L
          Horohov, D W

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Antibodies, Viral / biosynthesis
            • Antibodies, Viral / blood
            • Cells, Cultured
            • Disease Susceptibility / immunology
            • Disease Susceptibility / veterinary
            • Heart Rate
            • Horse Diseases / immunology
            • Horse Diseases / prevention & control
            • Horses
            • Immune Tolerance / immunology
            • Influenza A virus / immunology
            • Influenza Vaccines / immunology
            • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
            • Interferon-gamma / genetics
            • Interleukin-2 / biosynthesis
            • Interleukin-2 / genetics
            • Lactates / blood
            • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
            • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / immunology
            • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / prevention & control
            • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / veterinary
            • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
            • Physical Exertion / physiology
            • Stress, Physiological / etiology
            • Stress, Physiological / immunology
            • Stress, Physiological / veterinary

            Citations

            This article has been cited 18 times.
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