Maintenance of foals with combined immunodeficiency: causes and control of secondary infections.
Abstract: Sixty-six cases of combined immunodeficiency (CID) in foals were studied to determine the most prevalent causes of infection and death. Lesions of the respiratory system were observed in 59 of the foals and were attributable to infection with equine adenovirus. Pneumocystis carinii, and bacteria. Significant lesions were also observed in liver, pancreas, intestines, heart, and kidneys. Maintenance of foals with CID for experimental purposes is directed at the prevention and control of these secondary infections. Adenovirus can be controlled by administration of horse plasma containing high titers of antiadenovirus antibody. Bacteria are controlled by appropriate antibiotic therapy. Pneumocystis carinii infection remains a significant problem in the maintenance of foals with CID.
Publication Date: 1978-06-01 PubMed ID: 208432
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- P.H.S.
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.
The research pertains to a study involving 66 cases of combined immunodeficiency (CID) in foals, specifically focusing on identifying the prevalent causes of infection and mitigating associated risks. The results offer insights into managing certain secondary infections using various treatments like plasma administration and antibiotic therapy.
Objective of the Research
- The primary objective of the study was to investigate the common causes of infection and mortality in foals with combined immunodeficiency (CID).
- Another crucial aspect was to provide strategies for the maintenance of these foals by preventing and controlling secondary infections for experimental purposes.
Findings of the Study
- Out of the sixty-six CID afflicted foals studied, fifty-nine exhibited respiratory system lesions due to infection with equine adenovirus, Pneumocystis carinii, and various bacteria.
- Significant lesions were also discovered in other organs including the liver, pancreas, intestines, heart, and kidneys.
Proposed Prevention and Control of Secondary Infections
- The study found that the equine adenovirus could be managed using horse plasma containing high levels of anti-adenovirus antibodies.
- Bacterial infections could be regulated by implementing an appropriate antibiotic treatment regimen.
- Nevertheless, infection from Pneumocystis carinii still presents a significant problem in CID-afflicted foals’ maintenance.
Significance of the Research
- These findings could significantly improve the survival rate and health of foals suffering from CID.
- The research contributes to a better understanding of CID in foals and offers potential treatment strategies, emphasizing the need to tailor strategies according to the specific pathogens involved.
Cite This Article
APA
Perryman LE, McGuire TC, Crawford TB.
(1978).
Maintenance of foals with combined immunodeficiency: causes and control of secondary infections.
Am J Vet Res, 39(6), 1043-1047.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Adenoviridae Infections / prevention & control
- Adenoviridae Infections / veterinary
- Animals
- Bacterial Infections / prevention & control
- Bacterial Infections / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horses
- Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / veterinary
- Infections / veterinary
- Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / prevention & control
- Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 14 times.- Weissenbacher-Lang C, Blasi B, Bauer P, Binanti D, Bittermann K, Ergin L, Högler C, Högler T, Klier M, Matt J, Nedorost N, Silvestri S, Stixenberger D, Ma L, Cissé OH, Kovacs JA, Desvars-Larrive A, Posautz A, Weissenböck H. Detection of Pneumocystis and Morphological Description of Fungal Distribution and Severity of Infection in Thirty-Six Mammal Species. J Fungi (Basel) 2023 Feb 7;9(2).
- Mealey RH, Kappmeyer LS, Ueti MW, Wagner B, Knowles DP. Protective effects of passively transferred merozoite-specific antibodies against Theileria equi in horses with severe combined immunodeficiency. Clin Vaccine Immunol 2012 Jan;19(1):100-4.
- Taylor SD, Leib SR, Carpenter S, Mealey RH. Selection of a rare neutralization-resistant variant following passive transfer of convalescent immune plasma in equine infectious anemia virus-challenged SCID horses. J Virol 2010 Jul;84(13):6536-48.
- Mealey RH, Littke MH, Leib SR, Davis WC, McGuire TC. Failure of low-dose recombinant human IL-2 to support the survival of virus-specific CTL clones infused into severe combined immunodeficient foals: lack of correlation between in vitro activity and in vivo efficacy. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2008 Jan 15;121(1-2):8-22.
- Sellon DC, Knowles DP, Greiner EC, Long MT, Hines MT, Hochstatter T, Tibary A, Dame JB. Infection of immunodeficient horses with Sarcocystis neurona does not result in neurologic disease. Clin Diagn Lab Immunol 2004 Nov;11(6):1134-9.
- Mealey RH, Fraser DG, Oaks JL, Cantor GH, McGuire TC. Immune reconstitution prevents continuous equine infectious anemia virus replication in an Arabian foal with severe combined immunodeficiency: lessons for control of lentiviruses. Clin Immunol 2001 Nov;101(2):237-47.
- Crawford TB, Wardrop KJ, Tornquist SJ, Reilich E, Meyers KM, McGuire TC. A primary production deficit in the thrombocytopenia of equine infectious anemia. J Virol 1996 Nov;70(11):7842-50.
- Knowles DP Jr, Kappmeyer LS, Perryman LE. Specific immune responses are required to control parasitemia in Babesia equi infection. Infect Immun 1994 May;62(5):1909-13.
- Peters SE, Wakefield AE, Whitwell KE, Hopkin JM. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in thoroughbred foals: identification of a genetically distinct organism by DNA amplification. J Clin Microbiol 1994 Jan;32(1):213-6.
- Perryman LE, O'Rourke KI, McGuire TC. Immune responses are required to terminate viremia in equine infectious anemia lentivirus infection. J Virol 1988 Aug;62(8):3073-6.
- Magnuson NS, Perryman LE. In vitro of adenosine on lymphocytes and erythrocytes from horses with combined immunodeficiency. J Clin Invest 1979 Jul;64(1):89-101.
- Ma L, Weissenbacher-Lang C, Latinne A, Babb-Biernacki S, Blasi B, Cissé OH, Kovacs JA. Evolving spectrum of Pneumocystis host specificity, genetic diversity, and evolution. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2025 Jan 14;49.
- Weissenbacher-Lang C, Grenl A, Blasi B. Meta-Analysis and Systematic Literature Review of the Genus Pneumocystis in Pet, Farm, Zoo, and Wild Mammal Species. J Fungi (Basel) 2023 Nov 4;9(11).
- Sukura A, Laakkonen J, Rudbäck E. Occurrence of Pneumocystis carinii in canine distemper. Acta Vet Scand 1997;38(2):201-5.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists