Immunity to Streptococcus equi.
Abstract: Using the long chain test, and in some cases the bactericidal test, to measure antibody, the development of the immune response in horses to Str. equi has been followed. Long chain indices in excess of 5.0, accompanied by strong bactericidal capacity, were recorded in serums after the full 3-dose immunisation course with a commercial vaccine. The full course elicited the most satisfactory antibody titres declined within the 12 month post-vaccination period, thus providing support for the recommendation that yearly booster doses should be administered. The immune response in horses during 2 strangles outbreaks was compared with the response following vaccination. Recovered animals showed declining antibody levels 9 weeks after infection, and the evidence does not support longevity of the immune response after natural infection. Reaction to vaccination was observed in those animals with high initial antibody titre.
Publication Date: 1975-12-01 PubMed ID: 1222005DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1975.tb09379.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research studies the immune response in horses to Streptococcus equi, tracked using various tests, over a period of 12 months post-vaccination. The study supports the idea of annual booster doses and concludes that immune response doesn’t last long after a natural infection.
Test Tools and Vaccination
- The research uses long chain test and occasionally bactericidal test as the two principal tools for measuring the horses antibody count. These tests were used to follow the response of horses’ immune system on vaccination against Streptococcus equi.
- High antibody levels were observed in serum samples after a full 3-dose immunisation course with a commercial vaccine. The long chain indices recorded were more than 5.0, which indicates a strong immune response.
Vaccine Efficacy and Booster Doses
- A major observation was a natural decline in the antibody titres 12 months after the full course suggesting that the effective immunity period of the vaccine is limited. This evidenced the need for yearly booster doses to maintain the horses’ resistance to the infection.
Natural Infection vs Vaccination
- Further, the research compared the immune response in horses during two Strangles (a disease caused by Streptococcus equi) outbreaks with the response after vaccination.
- Horses that had naturally recovered from the infection showed decreasing antibody levels 9 weeks post infection. This implies that the immune response does not last long after a natural infection, contrasting with the response post-vaccination.
- An interesting observation was that horses that initially had high levels of antibodies responded to vaccination. This could suggest that horses which have endured an infection may still benefit from being vaccinated.
Cite This Article
APA
Woolcock JB.
(1975).
Immunity to Streptococcus equi.
Aust Vet J, 51(12), 554-559.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.1975.tb09379.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antibodies, Bacterial / biosynthesis
- Blood Bactericidal Activity
- Female
- Horses
- Immunity, Active
- Immunization Schedule
- Immunization, Secondary
- Male
- Streptococcal Infections / immunology
- Streptococcal Infections / veterinary
- Streptococcus / immunology
- Vaccination
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Liu M, Lei B. IgG Endopeptidase SeMac does not Inhibit Opsonophagocytosis of Streptococcus equi Subspecies equi by Horse Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes. Open Microbiol J 2010 Apr 8;4:20-5.
- Liu M, McClure MJ, Zhu H, Xie G, Lei B. The Two-Component Regulatory System VicRK is Important to Virulence of Streptococcus equi Subspecies equi. Open Microbiol J 2008;2:89-93.
- Piché CA. Clinical observations on an outbreak of strangles. Can Vet J 1984 Jan;25(1):7-11.
- Boschwitz JS, Timoney JF. Inhibition of C3 deposition on Streptococcus equi subsp. equi by M protein: a mechanism for survival in equine blood. Infect Immun 1994 Aug;62(8):3515-20.
- Srivastava SK, Barnum DA. The serological response of foals to vaccination against strangles. Can J Comp Med 1981 Jan;45(1):20-5.
- Srivastava SK, Barnum DA. Studies on the immunogenicity of Streptococcus equi vaccines in foals. Can J Comp Med 1985 Oct;49(4):351-6.
- Galan JE, Timoney JF. Mucosal nasopharyngeal immune responses of horses to protein antigens of Streptococcus equi. Infect Immun 1985 Mar;47(3):623-8.
- Breiman RF, Silverblatt FJ. Systemic Streptococcus equi infection in a horse handler--a case of human strangles. West J Med 1986 Sep;145(3):385-6.
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