Preliminary Notes on Equine Tissue Transglutaminase Serology and A Case of Equine Gluten-Sensitive Enteropathy and Dermatitis in an 11-Year-Old Dutch Warmblood Horse.

The study investigates potential links between gluten and equine inflammatory small bowel disease (ISBD), exploring the prevalence of specific antibodies in healthy sport ponies. In addition, the research introduces a case of gluten-sensitive enteropathy and dermatitis in a Dutch Warmblood horse.

Background and Objectives

• The research focused on studying potential links between gluten and the equine inflammatory small bowel disease (ISBD). In particular, it aimed to understand the occurrence of IgA antibodies to tissue transglutaminase (TGA) in a group of healthy, non-gluten-free sport ponies.
• In extension to this, the paper also presents a unique case of possible gluten-sensitive enteropathy and dermatitis in a horse, showcasing the practical application of this research.

Research Methodology

• The research involved blood sample collection from a group of 40 healthy jumping ponies, consisting of 12 mares, 8 stallions, and 20 geldings. These ponies ranged from 3 to 19 years in age.
• The sera obtained from these samples were tested for the presence of IgA antibodies against human recombinant TGA.
• Using the two-tailed Pearson test, a statistical analysis was done to assess the significance of the correlation between the TGA titer and age in the studied ponies.
• The study also documented the clinical course of an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood horse potentially suffering from gluten-sensitive enteropathy and dermatitis.

Results

• The average TGA titer found was 21.4 ± 13.6 AU/mL, with the titer values ranging from 2-65 AU/mL.
• A statistically significant correlation (P = .013, r = 0.389) was observed between the age and TGA titer in the ponies.
• Only one out of the 40 ponies showed an elevated TGA titer which equates to 2.5% of the population studied.
• Applying a gluten-free diet for three months to the 11-year-old Warmblood gelding resulted in a decrease in the elevated TGA titer and full remission of the generalized skin reaction. The horse had a tentative diagnosis of ISBD.

Conclusion

• This study is pioneering in the fact that it is the first to evaluate TGA antibodies in sera from healthy non-gluten-free ponies and draw a correlation with age.
• The research provides compelling evidence indicative of a connection between gluten and equine inflammatory small bowel disease (ISBD) and dermatitis. As such, it advocates for further investigation into gluten-sensitive enteropathy and dermatitis within horses affected with ISBD.