Insect Bite Hypersensitivity in Horses: Causes, Diagnosis, Scoring and New Therapies.
Abstract: Insect Bite Hypersensitivity (IBH, Queensland itch, sweet itch, equine summer eczema) is the most common pruritic disease of horses. It is most often caused by sensitivity to the saliva of spp. of biting midges; however, it can also be caused by hypersensitivity to other insect species. The prevalence of IBH in horses is reported to be as high as 60% in some parts of the world. Due to the severe pruritus and effects of secondary self-trauma, IBH has animal welfare concerns, and there is currently no cure. Management of this condition is life-long, time consuming and costly. New grading systems to document disease severity are being validated, which will allow the comparison of clinical trial results of new and existing therapies. Management involves the minimisation of insect bites by use of stabling, fans, rugs and repellents. Symptomatic therapy involves the administration of systemic or topical corticosteroids, systemic antihistamines, and creams and sprays to promote skin healing and decrease inflammation. New immune-mediated therapeutics including vaccines, in addition to desensitisation procedures, show promise at controlling hypersensitivity reactions. This article will review aetiologic agents, pathophysiology, scoring systems and current and new therapies.
Publication Date: 2023-08-04 PubMed ID: 37570323PubMed Central: PMC10416928DOI: 10.3390/ani13152514Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research article broadly investigates the causes, diagnoses, scoring systems and current as well as new therapies for Insect Bite Hypersensitivity (IBH), a prevalent and severe discomfort-causing condition in horses with no known cure. It primarily happens due to horse’s sensitivity to the saliva of midges, albeit other insects can also induce hypersensitivity.
Understanding Insect Bite Hypersensitivity
- Insect Bite Hypersensitivity (IBH), also known under several names like Queensland itch, sweet itch, and equine summer eczema, is identified as a prevalent pruritic (itching) condition in horses.
- It is majorly caused due to sensitivity developed in response to the saliva of some species of biting midges, highlighting this condition’s hypersensitive nature. However, hypersensitivity reactions may also emerge from other insect species.
- Up to 60% of horses in some parts of the world reportedly suffer from IBH, indicating its vast prevalence.
- IBH poses considerable animal welfare concerns because of the intense itchiness it causes in horses, following the ensuing secondary self-trauma. Currently, no cure exists for it.
Management and Severity Scoring of IBH
- The management of IBH is a challenging, expensive, and lifelong process. It primarily comprises preventative strategies that minimize insect bites, such as using fans, rugs, repellents, or keeping horses in stables.
- Scientists are working to validate new grading systems to record the severity of IBH. These scoring systems would further pave the way to compare results from clinical trials investigating new and existing therapies.
Existing and Emerging Therapies
- Existing symptomatic treatments entail the application of systemic or topical corticosteroids, systemic antihistamines, as well as various creams and sprays developed to promote skin healing and alleviate inflammation.
- Future promising treatments are mostly focused on immunity. They include vaccines and desensitisation procedures intended to control hypersensitivity reactions in horses.
Overview of the Research Article
- This paper delves into a comprehensive review of the causative agents, pathophysiology, and scoring systems, along with a critical evaluation of current and upcoming therapies for Insect Bite Hypersensitivity in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Cox A, Stewart AJ.
(2023).
Insect Bite Hypersensitivity in Horses: Causes, Diagnosis, Scoring and New Therapies.
Animals (Basel), 13(15), 2514.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152514 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland Gatton, 5391 Warrego Highway, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia.
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland Gatton, 5391 Warrego Highway, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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