Immunomodulation in horses.
Abstract: Nonspecific immunomodulators are substances that induce non-antigen-specific enhancement of the body's native or acquired defense mechanisms. Immunomodulant preparations are most often used for treatment of chronic, viral, or bacterial infection with evidence of secondary immunosuppression. The proposed mechanism of action of these products is macrophage activation and subsequent release of cytokines that enhance humoral and cell-mediated immunity. In equine medicine, nonspecific immunostimulant products are used for prevention and treatment of infectious respiratory disease and treatment of sarcoid skin tumors.
Publication Date: 2000-04-07 PubMed ID: 10752146DOI: 10.1016/s0749-0739(17)30126-8Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research article focuses on the usage of non-specific immunomodulators in horses to enhance their native or acquired defense mechanisms against chronic, viral, or bacterial infections, particularly respiratory diseases and sarcoid skin tumors.
Immunomodulation and Its Importance
- Immunomodulation refers to the process of altering an immune response. This alteration can either be an enhancement or suppression of the body’s immune response, depending on what is needed. The idea is to adjust the immune response to achieve a desired level of reactivity.
- In this context, the concept of immunomodulation is applied to horses, specifically involving the use of nonspecific immunomodulators.
- Nonspecific immunomodulators are substances that boost the body’s defense mechanisms without a specific antigen. They are evidently used in the treatment of chronic, viral, or bacterial infections, particularly in situations where secondary immunosuppression has been observed.
Immunomodulant Preparations
- Immunomodulant preparations are substances or medications that are mainly used to treat or prevent diseases by modifying immune system responses.
- They play a significant role in strengthening the immune system by activating macrophages, cells instrumental in detecting and destroying bacteria and harmful particles.
- Following this activation, macrophages release cytokines- molecules that facilitate cell to cell communication in immune responses and stimulate the movement of cells towards sites of inflammation, infection and trauma, thereby enhancing humoral (antibodies and related substances) and cell-mediated immunity. This eventually results in an improved and more effective immune response.
Usage in Equine Medicine
- Equine medicine heavily relies on these nonspecific immunomodulatory products for the prevention and treatment of infectious respiratory diseases and the treatment of sarcoid skin tumors.
- Sarcoid skin tumors are common in horses and can be quite resistant to treatment, making immunomodulatory treatments a valuable tool in managing this condition.
- Respiratory diseases, particularly those of an infectious nature, can have a detrimental impact on a horse’s athletic performance and overall health. Therefore, being able to boost the immune response to these diseases through nonspecific immunomodulation can be extremely beneficial for the horse’s health and performance.
Cite This Article
APA
Rush BR, Flaminio MJ.
(2000).
Immunomodulation in horses.
Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract, 16(1), 183-viii.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0749-0739(17)30126-8 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Adjuvants, Immunologic / therapeutic use
- Animals
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Carnet F, Paillot R, Fortier C, Hue ES, Briot L, de Geoffroy F, Vidalain PO, Pronost S. Immunostimulating Effect of Inactivated Parapoxvirus Ovis on the Serological Response to Equine Influenza Booster Vaccination. Vaccines (Basel) 2022 Dec 14;10(12).
- Rothacker CC, Boyle AG, Levine DG. Autologous vaccination for the treatment of equine sarcoids: 18 cases (2009-2014). Can Vet J 2015 Jul;56(7):709-14.
- Bruhn O, Grötzinger J, Cascorbi I, Jung S. Antimicrobial peptides and proteins of the horse--insights into a well-armed organism. Vet Res 2011 Sep 2;42(1):98.
- Koo H, Ryu SH, Ahn HJ, Jung WK, Park YK, Kwon NH, Kim SH, Kim JM, Yoo BW, Choi SI, Davis WC, Park YH. Immunostimulatory effects of the anionic alkali mineral complex Barodon on equine lymphocytes. Clin Vaccine Immunol 2006 Nov;13(11):1255-66.
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