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Equine veterinary journal2007; 39(1); 69-73; doi: 10.2746/042516407x153020

Identification of environmental factors affecting the prevalence of insect bite hypersensitivity in Shetland ponies and Friesian horses in The Netherlands.

Abstract: It is expected that climate and habitat factors influence the prevalence of culicoides and, therefore, the prevalence of insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH), but very little is described in the literature to prove the association of these factors. Prevalence varies widely from 3% in certain areas of Great Britain to 60% in certain parts of Australia. Objective: To describe the influence of environmental factors on the prevalence of IBH in Shetland ponies and Friesian horses in The Netherlands. Methods: Data on 3284 Shetland and 2824 Friesian mares (n = 6108) were collected in The Netherlands, based on 90 regions, according to postal codes. The climate components, amount of rainfall, number of warm days, number of cold days, and habitat components of soil type and type of vegetation were collected for each region. Results: Prevalence of IBH varied widely from 0-71.4% per region. The results showed that the environment with low IBH-prevalence had high rainfall, many cold days and few warm days per year. Habitats with a low IBH-prevalence were based along the coast line. Habitats with increasing prevalence of IBH had soils of clay with heather and woody vegetation. Friesian mares had a higher IBH prevalence than Shetland mares, which could indicate an effect of genetic background or an effect of year. Conclusions: There is an environmental effect on IBH prevalence within The Netherlands, which is caused by climate and habitat factors. Conclusions: The results provide a more accurate description of environmental factors and their impact on development of IBH; and should help better to understand habitat and climate effects, and to distinguish these from other effects, such as animal factors (genetics, age or sex).
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Publication Date: 2007-01-19 PubMed ID: 17228599DOI: 10.2746/042516407x153020Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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This study investigates how environmental factors might influence the occurrence of insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) in Shetland ponies and Friesian horses in The Netherlands. The researchers found that regions with high rainfall, numerous cold days, and fewer warm days per year had lower incidences of IBH.

Methodology

  • The researchers collected data on 3284 Shetland and 2824 Friesian mares from 90 regions in The Netherlands. These areas were chosen based on postal codes.
  • For each region, the researchers recorded the amount of rainfall, the number of warm and cold days, as well as the type of soil and vegetation present.

Findings

  • The results showed a wide variance in IBH prevalence from 0 to 71.4% across different regions.
  • Environments that had higher rainfall, more cold days, and fewer warm days in a year had a lower prevalence of IBH.
  • Coastal habitats also showed low occurrence of IBH.
  • Contrarily, areas that had increased prevalence of IBH typically had clay soils with heather and woody vegetation.
  • There was also a difference in IBH prevalence between horse breeds: Friesian mares showed a higher prevalence than Shetland mares, suggesting a potential role of genetic factors or age.

Conclusions

  • The results suggest that both climate and habitat factors have an impact on IBH prevalence.
  • These findings will allow for a better understanding of how environmental factors can influence the development of IBH, distinguishing these factors from other influences like genetic, age or sex of the horse.

Cite This Article

APA
van Grevenhof EM, Ducro B, Heuven HC, Bijma P. (2007). Identification of environmental factors affecting the prevalence of insect bite hypersensitivity in Shetland ponies and Friesian horses in The Netherlands. Equine Vet J, 39(1), 69-73. https://doi.org/10.2746/042516407x153020

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 39
Issue: 1
Pages: 69-73

Researcher Affiliations

van Grevenhof, E M
  • Animal Breeding and Genetics Group, Wageningen University, P.B. 338 Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Ducro, B
    Heuven, H C M
      Bijma, P

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Ceratopogonidae / immunology
        • Cold Temperature
        • Female
        • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
        • Horse Diseases / immunology
        • Horses
        • Hypersensitivity / epidemiology
        • Hypersensitivity / immunology
        • Hypersensitivity / veterinary
        • Insect Bites and Stings / epidemiology
        • Insect Bites and Stings / immunology
        • Insect Bites and Stings / veterinary
        • Netherlands / epidemiology
        • Prevalence
        • Rain
        • Seasons
        • Skin Diseases / epidemiology
        • Skin Diseases / immunology
        • Skin Diseases / veterinary

        Citations

        This article has been cited 12 times.
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