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Equine veterinary journal1989; 21(4); 249-255; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1989.tb02161.x

Rhodococcus equi foal pneumonia: protective effects of immune plasma in experimentally infected foals.

Abstract: The immunoprophylactic capacity of specific immune plasma was evaluated in pony foals infected experimentally with Rhodococcus equi. Immune plasma, produced by repeated parenteral administration of viable R. equi to adult horses, was harvested and frozen. Group I (six control foals) and Group II (six principal foals) received lactated Ringers solution and immune plasma respectively at three and five days of age. R. equi were aerosolised into a caudal lung lobe of all foals at seven days of age. Clinical signs, haematological alterations, immune responses, thoracic radiographs and technetium99m pulmonary perfusion scans were monitored. All foals were destroyed and complete post mortem examinations performed. All foals developed pneumonia as evidenced by clinical, radiographic and perfusion alterations, but the survival rate of principal foals was significantly (P less than 0.01) greater than that of control foals. Five control foals developed terminal disease, whereas all principal foals recovered. There was no significant (P greater than 0.05) difference in temperature response, or peripheral blood leucocyte, neutrophil or fibrinogen concentrations between groups. ELISA values for R. equi antibody were significantly (P less than 0.001) greater in principal foals following treatment, but there was no significant (P greater than 0.05) difference in IgG or IgM concentrations between groups. Results of the haemolysis inhibition assay indicated that equi factor neutralising antibodies were transferred by immune plasma to the principal foals. Post mortem examinations of five control foals destroyed at approximately three weeks post infection because of terminal disease, revealed severe pyogranulomatous pneumonia. One control and all principal foals were either free of lesions or had resolving lesions and/or minimal scar formation at three months post infection.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Publication Date: 1989-07-01 PubMed ID: 2767025DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1989.tb02161.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support
  • U.S. Gov't
  • Non-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.

This study investigates the protective effects of immune plasma in pony foals that have been experimentally infected with Rhodococcus equi, which is known to cause pneumonia. The researchers found that foals treated with immune plasma showed significantly improved survival rates compared to the control group.

Experimental Procedure

  • The researchers produced immune plasma by repeatedly injecting adult horses with viable Rhodococcus equi.
  • This immune plasma was harvested and frozen for use in the study.
  • Twelve pony foals were divided into two groups – a control group (Group I) and a treatment group (Group II).
  • The foals in Group II were treated with the immune plasma, while the control group received a solution of lactated Ringer’s.
  • All foals were then exposed to an aerosol of Rhodococcus equi when they were seven days old.

Data Collection

  • The researchers monitored the clinical signs, blood work changes, immune responses, thoracic radiographs and technetium99m pulmonary perfusion scans of the foals.
  • All the foals eventually developed pneumonia, as indicated by clinical signs, radiograph alterations, and changes in perfusion.
  • However, the foals treated with immune plasma displayed a significantly higher survival rate compared to the control group.
  • ELISA test results also showed significantly higher levels of R. equi antibodies in the treated foals after the immune plasma treatment, offering a potential explanation for their improved survival rates.

Post Mortem Examination

  • The foals were euthanized, and autopsies were performed to assess the extent of the infection.
  • The control foals examined at three weeks post-infection all suffered from severe pyogranulomatous pneumonia.
  • Conversely, the treated foals exhibited either no signs of disease or signs of resolving lesions/ minimal scar formation.

This research suggests that immune plasma treatment could effectively protect pony foals from fatality due to Rhodococcus equi infection.

Cite This Article

APA
Martens RJ, Martens JG, Fiske RA, Hietala SK. (1989). Rhodococcus equi foal pneumonia: protective effects of immune plasma in experimentally infected foals. Equine Vet J, 21(4), 249-255. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1989.tb02161.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 21
Issue: 4
Pages: 249-255

Researcher Affiliations

Martens, R J
  • Department of Large Animal Medicine and Surgery, Texas A&M University, College Station.
Martens, J G
    Fiske, R A
      Hietala, S K

        MeSH Terms

        • Actinomycetales Infections / prevention & control
        • Actinomycetales Infections / therapy
        • Actinomycetales Infections / veterinary
        • Animals
        • Animals, Newborn / immunology
        • Antibodies, Bacterial / analysis
        • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
        • Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests
        • Horse Diseases / prevention & control
        • Horse Diseases / therapy
        • Horses
        • Immune Sera / immunology
        • Immunization, Passive / veterinary
        • Immunoglobulin G / analysis
        • Immunoglobulin M / analysis
        • Lung / diagnostic imaging
        • Lung / pathology
        • Pneumonia / microbiology
        • Pneumonia / prevention & control
        • Pneumonia / veterinary
        • Radiography
        • Radionuclide Imaging
        • Rhodococcus / immunology

        Citations

        This article has been cited 25 times.
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