[Is summer eczema predictable in imported Icelandic horses?].

The research article presents a prospective study of insect bite hypersensitivity in horses that are exported from Iceland into Switzerland. The article examines the reactions of these horses to the saliva of biting insects, particularly the species Culicoides, and the incidence of related allergic dermatitis.

Studying Sommer Ekzem in Horses

The article discusses Sommer Ekzem, also known as infectious allergic dermatitis. This condition, often affecting up to 50% of horses imported from Iceland into continental Europe, is a result of an allergic reaction to the saliva of biting insects, like Culicoides spp. The condition is virtually nonexistent in Iceland as the culpable insect species are not found there.

• The primary focus of the research was to explain the susceptibility of horses to the allergen (saliva of the biting insects).
• The researchers also investigated why the incidence of this allergic reaction is largely disparate between horse populations in Iceland versus continental Europe
• In Iceland, only 3-10% of the horse population show allergic reactions, while the numbers can go up to 50% among horses exported from Iceland.

Horses’ Allergic Reaction to Saliva of Biting Insects

Once sensitized to the saliva, horses often show allergic reactions to bites from other insects. For example, the black flies (Simulium spp.), that are also endemic to Iceland.

• The study sought to identify if horses native to Iceland are sensitized to S. Vittatum.
• The researchers tested assumptions as to whether the horses’ immune sensitivity could aid predictions regarding the occurrence of Sommer Ekzem among horses imported into Switzerland.

In summary, the research assists in understanding the susceptibility of horses to insect bite hypersensitivity when introduced into new environments. The study presents a comprehensive analysis of the factors contributing to the higher incidence of allergic diseases among Iceland’s horses upon export.