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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Clin Microbiol / Immunoglobulin and specific antibody responses to Rhodococcu...
Journal of clinical microbiology1986; 23(5); 943-947; doi: 10.1128/jcm.23.5.943-947.1986

Immunoglobulin and specific antibody responses to Rhodococcus (Corynebacterium) equi infection in foals as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Abstract: Humoral immune response to intestinal Rhodococcus (Corynebacterium) equi in horses was studied by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Anti-R. equi immunoglobulin M (IgM), IgG, and IgA antibodies were demonstrated in the healthy horse population. Adult horse levels of anti-R. equi IgM and IgG antibodies were reached by 5 to 9 weeks of age in two healthy newborn foals. R. equi was recovered from the foals in the range of 10(3) to 10(4) per g of intestinal contents. A 1-week-old foal was infected with R. equi by mouth daily for 9 weeks. The foal did not show any clinical signs of illness. Anti-R. equi IgM antibody values in the foal increased about 5 to 8 weeks after initial inoculation, similar to the naturally occurring immune response to intestinal R. equi. There were differences among the antibody responses to R. equi in healthy horses, foals with suspected infection, and infected foals. These results suggest that exposure to R. equi is widespread in the horse population and that intestinal R. equi is the most important source of antigenic stimulation for a naturally occurring immune response in horses.
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Publication Date: 1986-05-01 PubMed ID: 3711280PubMed Central: PMC268755DOI: 10.1128/jcm.23.5.943-947.1986Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 study examines the immune response of horses, particularly foals, to Rhodococcus equi infection by focusing on the levels of different antibodies (IgM, IgG, IgA) produced during the infection, as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Methodology

  • The researchers used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, a popular laboratory technique for detecting and measuring antibodies in blood, to study the immune response of horses to Rhodococcus equi infection.
  • Anti-R. equi IgM, IgG, and IgA antibodies were observed in the healthy horse population.
  • R. equi bacteria concentration in two healthy newborn foals and one foal infected through the mouth was also measured. These bacteria were isolated from the intestinal contents of the foals, showing the bacteria’s presence within the horses.

Findings

  • The scientists found that adult horse levels of anti-R. equi IgM and IgG antibodies were achieved by the young foals between 5 and 9 weeks of age.
  • The foal that was infected with R. equi orally didn’t show any signs of illness. However, its anti-R. equi IgM antibody values increased around 5 to 8 weeks after initial inoculation, mirroring the naturally occurring immune response to intestinal R. equi.
  • The study showed variations in antibody responses to R. equi among healthy horses, foals suspected of infection, and confirmed infected foals.

Implications

  • This study provides evidence that exposure to Rhodococcus equi is prevalent in the horse population.
  • The results also suggest that intestinal R. equi is the main source of immune-stimulating antigens in horses. This highlights the role of the gut in training the immune system and fighting off infections.
  • This work could foster further research into developing targeted treatments or preventive measures against R. equi infections in the horse population.

Cite This Article

APA
Takai S, Kawazu S, Tsubaki S. (1986). Immunoglobulin and specific antibody responses to Rhodococcus (Corynebacterium) equi infection in foals as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. J Clin Microbiol, 23(5), 943-947. https://doi.org/10.1128/jcm.23.5.943-947.1986

Publication

Journal of clinical microbiology
ISSN: 0095-1137
NlmUniqueID: 7505564
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 23
Issue: 5
Pages: 943-947

Researcher Affiliations

Takai, S
    Kawazu, S
      Tsubaki, S

        MeSH Terms

        • Age Factors
        • Animals
        • Antibodies, Bacterial / biosynthesis
        • Corynebacterium / immunology
        • Corynebacterium Infections / immunology
        • Corynebacterium Infections / veterinary
        • Horse Diseases / immunology
        • Horses
        • Immunoglobulin A / biosynthesis
        • Immunoglobulin G / biosynthesis
        • Immunoglobulin M / biosynthesis
        • Time Factors

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        Citations

        This article has been cited 5 times.
        1. Vanniasinkam T, Barton MD, Heuzenroeder MW. B-Cell epitope mapping of the VapA protein of Rhodococcus equi: implications for early detection of R. equi disease in foals. J Clin Microbiol 2001 Apr;39(4):1633-7.
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