Immunologic disorders in neonatal foals.
Abstract: Foals live in an environment heavily populated by bacteria, many of which are capable of causing disease. Development of infection,however, is the exception rather than the rule. The ability of the foal to prevent infection by most pathogens is the result of a sophisticated set of defense mechanisms. These defense mechanisms can be divided into adaptive and innate immunity. Innate immunity encompasses defense mechanisms that pre-exist or are rapidly induced within hours of exposure to a pathogen. Conversely, adaptive or acquired immunity represents host defenses mediated by T and B lymphocytes, each expressing a highly specific antigen receptor and exhibiting memory during a second encounter with a given antigen. Immunologic disorders are relatively common in foals compared with their occurrence in adult horses. This article summarizes the current understanding of the equine fetal and neonatal immune system and reviews common immunodeficiency disorders as well as disorders resulting from allogenic incompatibilities.
Publication Date: 2005-07-30 PubMed ID: 16051049DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2005.04.004Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This paper is about the immune systems of newborn horses (known as foals). It covers how their immune systems function and discusses some common immune-related disorders in foals in comparison to adult horses.
Immune System in Foals
The research paper discusses in great detail the two main sections of the immune system in foals:
- Innate immunity: These pre-existing or rapidly-induced measures are the foal’s first line of defense against bacteria and pathogens. Operating within hours of being exposed to potential disease-causing agents, this facet of the immune system is crucial in protecting the newborn horse against infections.
- Adaptive or acquired immunity: Representing host defenses mediated by T and B lymphocytes, this part of the immune system is highly specific to antigens and exhibits memory functionality during a second encounter with a specific antigen.
Common Immunodeficiency Disorders
Foals are relatively more susceptible to immunological disorders than adult horses. Some of the common immunological disorders discussed in the paper are:
- Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders: These are conditions that the foals are born with. The paper reviews these disorders, discussing how they affect the equine fetal and neonatal immune system.
- Secondary Immunodeficiency Disorders: These conditions are caused by an external factor such as malnutrition or infection. The paper reviews these disorders, discussing how they affect the immune system of foals.
Disorders from allogenic incompatibilities
The study also reviews disorders in foals that result from allogenic incompatibilities, These are conditions that occur when a foal’s immune system reacts against foreign antigens from the mother, which can lead to various health issues.
Cite This Article
APA
Giguère S, Polkes AC.
(2005).
Immunologic disorders in neonatal foals.
Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract, 21(2), 241-v.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cveq.2005.04.004 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, PO Box 100136, Southwest 16th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA. gigueres@mail.vetmed.ufl.edu
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn / immunology
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / immunology
- Horses / immunology
- Immune System Diseases / epidemiology
- Immune System Diseases / immunology
- Immune System Diseases / veterinary
- Immunity, Cellular
- Immunity, Innate
- Immunity, Maternally-Acquired
Citations
This article has been cited 10 times.- Rivolta AA, Bujold AR, Wilmarth PA, Phinney BS, Navelski JP, Horohov DW, Sanz MG. Comparison of the broncoalveolar lavage fluid proteomics between foals and adult horses. PLoS One 2023;18(9):e0290778.
- Freccero F, Di Maio C, Mariella J, Lanci A, Castagnetti C, Hallowell G. Assessment of the microvascular perfusion using sidestream dark-field imaging in healthy newborn foals. Vet Med Sci 2023 Jan;9(1):158-166.
- Rampacci E, Mazzola K, Beccati F, Passamonti F. Diagnostic characteristics of refractometry cut-off points for the estimation of immunoglobulin G concentration in mare colostrum. Equine Vet J 2023 Jan;55(1):102-110.
- Freccero F, Lanci A, Mariella J, Viciani E, Quercia S, Castagnetti A, Castagnetti C. Changes in the Fecal Microbiota Associated with a Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Administration in Hospitalized Neonatal Foals with Probiotics Supplementation. Animals (Basel) 2021 Aug 2;11(8).
- Turini L, Bonelli F, Nocera I, Battaglia F, Meucci V, Panzani D, Mele M, Sgorbini M. Evaluation of jennies' colostrum: IgG concentrations and absorption in the donkey foals. A preliminary study. Heliyon 2020 Aug;6(8):e04598.
- Satué K, Gardon JC, Muñoz A. Clinical and laboratorial description of the differential diagnoses of hemostatic disorders in the horse. Iran J Vet Res 2020 Winter;21(1):1-8.
- Folmar CN, Cywes-Bentley C, Bordin AI, Rocha JN, Bray JM, Kahn SK, Schuckert AE, Pier GB, Cohen ND. In vitro evaluation of complement deposition and opsonophagocytic killing of Rhodococcus equi mediated by poly-N-acetyl glucosamine hyperimmune plasma compared to commercial plasma products. J Vet Intern Med 2019 May;33(3):1493-1499.
- Vendrig JC, Coffeng LE, Fink-Gremmels J. Effects of orally administered galacto-oligosaccharides on immunological parameters in foals: a pilot study. BMC Vet Res 2014 Nov 19;10:278.
- Bandrick M, Theis K, Molitor TW. Maternal immunity enhances Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae vaccination induced cell-mediated immune responses in piglets. BMC Vet Res 2014 Jun 5;10:124.
- Turini L, Francesca B, Matilde V, Francesca B, Valentina M, Micaela S. Immunity transfer in mule foals fed with good IgG quality colostrum. Heliyon 2024 Feb 15;10(3):e25560.
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