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Journal of veterinary internal medicine2008; 22(3); 654-661; doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2008.0091.x

The effect of age on serum antibody titers after rabies and influenza vaccination in healthy horses.

Abstract: The proportion of geriatric horses within the equine population has increased in the past decade, but there is limited information on the immune function of these animals. Objective: Aged horses will have a lesser increase in serum antibody response to vaccination. Methods: Thirty-four aged healthy horses (> or = 20 years) and 29 younger adult horses (4-12 years) of various breeds. Methods: All horses were vaccinated with vaccines of killed rabies and influenza virus. Horses in each age group were allocated to receive either rabies or influenza booster vaccine 4 weeks after the initial vaccination. Serum samples were taken at 0, 4, 8, and 24 weeks. Rabies serum neutralization titers and equine influenza virus specific antibody sub-isotypes (IgGa, IgGb, IgG(T), and IgA) as well as single radial hemolysis (SRH) titers were determined. Results: Rabies antibody titers were similar in the 2 age groups at all sampling times. Aged horses had higher IgGa and IgGb influenza antibody titers before vaccination than younger horses but similar titers after vaccination (P= .004 and P= .0027, respectively). Younger horses had significantly greater increases in titer than aged horses at all sampling times for IgGa (P= .001) and at 8 and 24 weeks for IgGb (P= .041 and .01, respectively). There was no detectable serum IgG(T) at any time point. A significant booster vaccine effect was seen for both antirabies and anti-influenza titers. Anti-influenza titer before vaccination also had a significant effect on subsequent antibody response. Conclusions: Healthy aged horses generated a primary immune response to a killed rabies vaccine similar to that of younger adult horses. Aged horses had a significantly reduced anamnestic response to influenza vaccine.
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Publication Date: 2008-05-02 PubMed ID: 18466246DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2008.0091.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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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 research article investigates the effect of age on the immune response of horses to rabies and influenza vaccinations. It found that older horses have a lower increase in serum antibody response to vaccines compared to younger horses.

Objective of the Study

The main objective of the study was to determine if aged horses would respond differently to vaccination in terms of serum antibody response compared to younger adult horses. This is essential, given the increased proportion of geriatric horses in the equine population, and the currently limited information on their immune function.

Methodology

  • Overall, 34 aged healthy horses, aged 20 years and above, and 29 younger adult horses aged between 4 and 12 years, were used in the study.
  • All horses received vaccinations of killed rabies and influenza virus.
  • A booster dose of either rabies or influenza vaccine was administered to each age group 4 weeks after the initial vaccination.
  • Serum samples were collected at 0, 4, 8, and 24 weeks later.
  • Different tests were performed to check the antibody subtypes and titers, including Rabies serum neutralization titers, equine influenza virus-specific antibodies, and single radial hemolysis (SRH) titers.

Results

  • The serum antibody response to rabies was found to be similar in the two age groups at all timepoints.
  • Aged horses had higher influenza-specific antibodies before vaccination compared to younger horses, however, they showed similar levels after vaccination.
  • Younger horses demonstrated a significantly higher increase in antibody titers at all three timepoints post the first vaccination.
  • Interestingly, there was no detectable serum IgG(T) observed at any timepoint.
  • The booster vaccine had a noticeable effect on both rabies and influenza antibody titers.

Conclusions

The study concluded that aged, healthy horses generated a primary immune response to the killed rabies vaccine that was similar to that of younger adult horses. However, when it came to the influenza vaccine, aged horses had a noticeably reduced anamnestic response, which is the ability of the immune system to quickly and specifically recognize an antigen that the body has previously encountered and initiate a corresponding immune response.

Cite This Article

APA
Muirhead TL, McClure JT, Wichtel JJ, Stryhn H, Frederick Markham RJ, McFarlane D, Lunn DP. (2008). The effect of age on serum antibody titers after rabies and influenza vaccination in healthy horses. J Vet Intern Med, 22(3), 654-661. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-1676.2008.0091.x

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 0891-6640
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 22
Issue: 3
Pages: 654-661

Researcher Affiliations

Muirhead, T L
  • Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE, Canada. tmuirhead@upei.ca
McClure, J T
    Wichtel, J J
      Stryhn, H
        Frederick Markham, R J
          McFarlane, D
            Lunn, D P

              MeSH Terms

              • Aging / blood
              • Aging / immunology
              • Animals
              • Antibodies, Viral / blood
              • Female
              • Horse Diseases / blood
              • Horse Diseases / genetics
              • Horse Diseases / immunology
              • Horses / blood
              • Horses / immunology
              • Immunoglobulin A / blood
              • Immunoglobulin G / blood
              • Influenza Vaccines / immunology
              • Male
              • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / immunology
              • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / veterinary
              • Rabies / immunology
              • Rabies / veterinary
              • Rabies Vaccines / immunology
              • Seasons
              • Selenium / blood
              • Sex Characteristics
              • Thyroxine / blood
              • Time Factors
              • Triiodothyronine / blood
              • Vitamin E / blood
              • alpha-MSH / blood

              Citations

              This article has been cited 13 times.
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              11. Muirhead TL, Wichtel JJ, Stryhn H, McClure JT. The selenium and vitamin E status of horses in Prince Edward Island. Can Vet J 2010 Sep;51(9):979-85.
                pubmed: 21119864
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