Neonatal isoerythrolysis involving the Qc and Db antigens in a foal.
Abstract: In 1992, a multiparous 13-year-old Thoroughbred mare and her 48-hour-old colt were examined because of possible neonatal isoerythrolysis (NI). Supportive treatment was administered, and the foal recovered without requiring a transfusion. According to the owners, the mare had delivered foals without incident during 1987 and 1991. The mare was barren during 1993, but in 1994, delivered a filly that developed severe NI. The foal was given 3 transfusions and eventually recovered without complications. Blood typing analysis of the mare and its foals indicated that all 4 foals were positive for the Qc, Db, and Dq antigens, and the 3 most recently born foals were positive for the Ua antigen; however, the marc was negative for the Qc, Db, Dq, and Ua antigens. The mare did not have alloantibodies against Ua and did not react to the Dq antigen. However, in 1994, the mare reacted against the Db (the reaction was characterized by strong agglutination and an increase in titer at the time of parturition and a subsequent decrease) and Qc (the reaction was characterized by weak lysis and an increase in titer at the time of parturition and a subsequent decrease) antigens. Results of testing in this mare and foals suggested that although approximately 90% of all cases of NI in horses are attributable to the Aa or Qa antigen, other antigens may be involved.
Publication Date: 2001-07-07 PubMed ID: 11439776DOI: 10.2460/javma.2001.219.79Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research discusses a case where a mare gave birth to a foal which developed neonatal isoerythrolysis (NI), a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when a mare’s antibodies attack her foal’s red blood cells. The study hints that whilst the majority of NI cases are attributed to the Aa or Qa antigen, other factors might be involved.
Case Overview
- The study focused on a Thoroughbred mare and her four offsprings born over a period spanning from 1987 to 1994.
- The first reported instance of suspected NI happened with her third foal in 1992 but recovered without any transfusion.
- In 1994, the mare delivered a filly that developed severe NI, requiring three blood transfusions.
Blood Analysis
- Blood typing analysis was carried out on the mare and her four foals.
- All four foals were found positive for the Qc, Db, and Dq antigens, and the last three were also positive for the Ua antigen.
- The mare, on the other hand, was negative for these antigens (Qc, Db, Dq, Ua).
Immune Reaction in the Mare
- The mare didn’t show any alloantibodies against the Ua antigen and showed no reaction to the Dq antigen.
- Yet, during 1994, the mare had strong reactions against the Db antigen characterized by strong agglutination at the time of parturition and a subsequent decrease.
- Her reactions towards the Qc antigen were characterized by weak lysis and an increase in titer during parturition, followed by a decrease.
Implications of the Study
- Findings from this study suggest that in addition to the Aa and Qa antigens, which are known to be involved in around 90% of all NI cases, other antigens such as Db and Qc may contribute to NI.
The research provides valuable insights into the possible involvement of other factors (antigens) in neonatal isoerythrolysis, thereby expanding the understanding of this condition in equines.
Cite This Article
APA
MacLeay JM.
(2001).
Neonatal isoerythrolysis involving the Qc and Db antigens in a foal.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 219(1), 79-50.
https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.2001.219.79 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Colostrum / immunology
- Erythroblastosis, Fetal / diagnosis
- Erythroblastosis, Fetal / etiology
- Erythroblastosis, Fetal / veterinary
- Female
- Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / immunology
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horse Diseases / immunology
- Horses
- Isoantibodies / blood
- Isoantigens / immunology
- Male
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Kakoi H, Kikuchi M, Ishige T, Nagata SI, Hirosawa Y, Tanaka S, Kishinami T. Investigation of erythrocyte antigen frequencies in draft horse populations in Japan to assess blood donor suitability. J Equine Sci 2021 Mar;32(1):17-19.
- Proverbio D, Perego R, Baggiani L, Ferrucci F, Zucca E, Nobile F, Spada E. Prevalence of Ca Blood Type and Alloantibodies in a Population of Horses from Italy. Animals (Basel) 2020 Jul 13;10(7).
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