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The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne1988; 29(9); 718-723;

The hypersensitivity of horses to culicoides bites in british columbia.

Abstract: Culicoides hypersensitivity is a chronic, recurrent, seasonal dermatitis of horses that has a worldwide distribution, but has only recently been reported in Canada. It is characterized by intense pruritus resulting in lesions associated with self-induced trauma.A survey of veterinarians and horse-owners in British Columbia showed no differences in susceptibility due to the sex, color, breed, or height of the horses. The prevalence of the disease in the 209 horses surveyed was 26%. Horses sharing the same pasture could be unaffected. The disease was reported primarily from southwestern British Columbia; it occurred between April and October and usually affected the ventral midline, mane, and tail. Horses were generally less than nine years old when the clinical signs first appeared ([unk]=5.9 yr). Culicoides hypersensitivity was common in the lineage of several affected horses, possibly indicating a genetic susceptibility. Most cases were severe enough to require veterinary attention and some horses were euthanized.
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Publication Date: 1988-09-01 PubMed ID: 17423117PubMed Central: PMC1680856
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  • Journal Article

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 investigates the prevalence of hypersensitivity to Culicoides (a type of midge) bites among horses in British Columbia and explores the factors that may affect susceptibility. The report points to a 26% prevalence of the associated dermatitis among the sample of horses observed; importantly, the genetic lineage of several affected horses suggests genetic susceptibility may be a contributing factor.

Objective and Methods

  • The study was designed to comprehend the prevalence and effects of Culicoides hypersensitivity, a type of dermatitis in horses caused by bites from these midges in British Columbia, Canada. This condition had only recently been reported in the country prior to this study.
  • Using a survey, the researchers gathered information from both veterinarians and horse-owners in the region, with a sample size of 209 horses.

Findings

  • The researchers found a fairly high prevalence of this condition, with 26% of the horses surveyed showing signs of the disease.
  • The research did not reveal any difference in susceptibility due to the horse’s sex, color, breed, or height, suggesting that these factors do not play a role in the horses’ hypersensitivity.
  • Interestingly, horses grazing in the same pasture presented varied responses – some unaffected while others suffering from the hypersensitivity, suggesting that environmental factors alone could not explain the prevalence of the disease.
  • Most cases of hypersensitivity were reported from southwestern British Columbia, and occurred between April and October. Symptoms were primarily found on the horse’s ventral midline, mane, and tail.

Implications

  • Horses with signs of hypersensitivity were generally less than nine years old when symptoms first appeared, suggesting the diseased condition onset early in life.
  • The study indicates a possible genetic susceptibility to this condition as it was found to be common in the lineage of several affected horses.
  • In many instances, hypersensitivity was severe enough to require veterinary supervision, with some horses even needing to be euthanized.
  • The findings of this study should raise awareness among horse owners in Canada and globally regarding the disease and provide a direction for possible preventative and management measures.

Cite This Article

APA
Anderson GS, Belton P, Kleider N. (1988). The hypersensitivity of horses to culicoides bites in british columbia. Can Vet J, 29(9), 718-723.

Publication

The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne
ISSN: 0008-5286
NlmUniqueID: 0004653
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 29
Issue: 9
Pages: 718-723

Researcher Affiliations

Anderson, G S
    Belton, P
      Kleider, N

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        Citations

        This article has been cited 7 times.
        1. Novotny EN, White SJ, Wilson AD, Stefánsdóttir SB, Tijhaar E, Jonsdóttir S, Frey R, Reiche D, Rose H, Rhyner C, Schüpbach-Regula G, Torsteinsdóttir S, Alcocer M, Marti E. Component-resolved microarray analysis of IgE sensitization profiles to Culicoides recombinant allergens in horses with insect bite hypersensitivity. Allergy 2021 Apr;76(4):1147-1157.
          doi: 10.1111/all.14556pubmed: 32780483google scholar: lookup
        2. Venail R, Lhoir J, Fall M, del Río R, Talavera S, Labuschagne K, Miranda M, Pagès N, Venter G, Rakotoarivony I, Allène X, Scheid B, Gardès L, Gimonneau G, Lancelot R, Garros C, Cêtre-Sossah C, Balenghien T, Carpenter S, Baldet T. How do species, population and active ingredient influence insecticide susceptibility in Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) of veterinary importance?. Parasit Vectors 2015 Aug 28;8:439.
          doi: 10.1186/s13071-015-1042-8pubmed: 26310789google scholar: lookup
        3. Meulenbroeks C, van der Lugt JJ, van der Meide NM, Willemse T, Rutten VP, Zaiss DM. Allergen-Specific Cytokine Polarization Protects Shetland Ponies against Culicoides obsoletus-Induced Insect Bite Hypersensitivity. PLoS One 2015;10(4):e0122090.
          doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0122090pubmed: 25901733google scholar: lookup
        4. Kim HC, Bellis GA, Kim MS, Chong ST, Lee DK, Park JY, Yeh JY, Klein TA. Seasonal abundance of biting midges, Culicoides spp. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), collected at cowsheds in the southern part of the Republic of Korea. Korean J Parasitol 2012 Jun;50(2):127-31.
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        5. Langner KF, Jarvis DL, Nimtz M, Heselhaus JE, McHolland LE, Leibold W, Drolet BS. Identification, expression and characterisation of a major salivary allergen (Cul s 1) of the biting midge Culicoides sonorensis relevant for summer eczema in horses. Int J Parasitol 2009 Jan;39(2):243-50.
          doi: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2008.06.008pubmed: 18708061google scholar: lookup
        6. Björnsdóttir S, Sigvaldadóttir J, Broström H, Langvad B, Sigurdsson A. Summer eczema in exported Icelandic horses: influence of environmental and genetic factors. Acta Vet Scand 2006 May 26;48(1):3.
          doi: 10.1186/1751-0147-48-3pubmed: 16987399google scholar: lookup
        7. O'Neill W, McKee S, Clarke AF. Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) supplementation associated with reduced skin test lesional area in horses with Culicoides hypersensitivity. Can J Vet Res 2002 Oct;66(4):272-7.
          pubmed: 12418783
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