Rhodococcus equi-specific hyperimmune plasma administration decreases faecal shedding of pathogenic R. equi in foals.

The research article presents a study investigating the impact of Rhodococcus equi-specific hyperimmune plasma (HIP) in reducing the faecal shedding of pathogenic R. equi in young foals, hypothesizing that the use of such plasma can lead to decreased shedding of the pathogen.

Objective and Hypothesis

• The objective of the study was to observe the effects of administering R. equi-specific hyperimmune plasma (HIP) to newborn foals.
• The hypothesis was that using HIP in foals would lead to decreased faecal shedding of virulent R. equi, which causes pneumonia.

Methodology

• The researchers divided neonatal foals into two groups: a treatment group of 12 foals that were administered HIP, and a control group of 9 foals that weren’t administered anything.
• Soon after birth and after administration of HIP, all foals were infected with R. equi.
• Faecal samples were collected before and on weeks 2, 3, 5, and 7 post-infection. The samples were then examined for the presence of virulent R. equi using quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR).

Findings

• The study found strong evidence of an association between the use of HIP and a decrease in faecal shedding of the pathogenic R. equi, as per Pearson chi-squared test results.
• Additionally, foals in the control group were found to shed significantly higher amounts of the pathogen than those that were given HIP, as revealed by the Mann-Whitney rank-sum test.

Conclusion and Future Studies

• This study was the first of its kind to report this additional benefit of administering HIP to foals. However, more research is necessary to understand the wider implications of its use under practical field conditions.