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Equine veterinary journal2022; 55(3); 376-388; doi: 10.1111/evj.13858

Transfusion of hyperimmune plasma for protecting foals against Rhodococcus equi pneumonia.

Abstract: The bacterium Rhodococcus equi causes pneumonia in foals that is prevalent at breeding farms worldwide. In the absence of an effective vaccine, transfusion of commercial plasma from donor horses hyperimmunised against R. equi is used by many farms to reduce the incidence of pneumonia among foals at farms where the disease is endemic. The effectiveness of hyperimmune plasma for controlling R. equi pneumonia in foals has varied considerably among reports. The purposes of this narrative review are: (1) to review early studies that provided a foundational basis for the practice of transfusion of hyperimmune plasma that is widespread in the United States and in many other countries; (2) to summarise current knowledge of hyperimmune plasma for preventing R. equi pneumonia; (3) to provide an interpretive summary of probable explanations for the variable results among studies evaluating the effectiveness of transfusion of hyperimmune plasma for reducing the incidence of R. equi pneumonia; (4) to review mechanisms by which hyperimmune plasma might mediate protection; and (5) to consider risks of transfusing foals with hyperimmune plasma. Although the weight of evidence supports the practice of transfusing foals with hyperimmune plasma to prevent R. equi pneumonia, many important gaps in our knowledge of this topic remain including the volume/dose of hyperimmune plasma to be transfused, the timing(s) of transfusion, and the mechanism(s) by which hyperimmune plasma mediates protection. Transfusing foals with hyperimmune plasma is expensive, labour-intensive, and carries risks for foals; therefore, alternative approaches for passive and active immunisation to prevent R. equi pneumonia are greatly needed.
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Publication Date: 2022-08-03 PubMed ID: 35834170DOI: 10.1111/evj.13858Google 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.

The research article aims to review the practice and effectiveness of using hyperimmune plasma transfusion for protecting foals against Rhodococcus equi pneumonia, a prevalent disease on breeding farms. The study scrutinizes the varied results of the practice’s effectiveness, explores the possible mechanisms of protection, considers associated risks, and highlights the need for alternative solutions.

Objective and Methodology

  • The article is a narrative review that synthesizes early studies, current knowledge, and variable results associated with the application of hyperimmune plasma transfusion.
  • It seeks to provide an interpretative understanding of the practice, which is widespread in the United States and many other countries as a method to counter Rhodococcus equi pneumonia.

Key Findings and Interpretations

  • Transfusion of commercial plasma from donor horses, hyperimmunised against R. equi, is a common practice in farms where pneumonia among foals is endemic, especially given the absence of an effective vaccine.
  • The effectiveness of this approach has shown considerable variation across different reports, warranting an in-depth review and interpretation of these results.

Mechanism of Protection and Risks

  • The review further investigates the mechanisms through which hyperimmune plasma potentially provides protection, in a bid to understand and smoothen the discrepancies found in various studies.
  • Despite the benefits, transfusing foals with hyperimmune plasma comes with certain concerns. It is an expensive and labour-intensive process and carries risks for the foals. The extent of these risks is also a topic the study delves into.

Knowledge Gaps and Need for Alternatives

  • One major finding of the study is the clear gaps present in our knowledge on determining the optimal volume/dose, the appropriate timing of the transfusion, and the exact protection mechanism mediated by the hyperimmune plasma.
  • Given the risks and effort involved, and the gaps in current knowledge, the review highlights the need for exploring alternative approaches for both passive and active immunisation against R. equi pneumonia.

Cite This Article

APA
Kahn SK, Cohen ND, Bordin AI, Coleman MC, Heird JC, Welsh TH. (2022). Transfusion of hyperimmune plasma for protecting foals against Rhodococcus equi pneumonia. Equine Vet J, 55(3), 376-388. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13858

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 55
Issue: 3
Pages: 376-388

Researcher Affiliations

Kahn, Susanne K
  • Equine Infectious Disease Laboratory, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
Cohen, Noah D
  • Equine Infectious Disease Laboratory, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
Bordin, Angela I
  • Equine Infectious Disease Laboratory, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
Coleman, Michelle C
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
Heird, James C
  • Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
Welsh, Thomas H
  • Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Rhodococcus equi
  • Actinomycetales Infections / prevention & control
  • Actinomycetales Infections / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / prevention & control
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / prevention & control
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / veterinary
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / epidemiology
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary

Grant Funding

  • Texas A&M University

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
  1. Yerlikaya Z, Karagülle B, Otlu B, Muz A. From Paddock to Foal: Prevalence and Genotypic Diversity of Rhodococcus equi on Stud Farms in Türkiye. Vet Sci 2026 Jan 10;13(1).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci13010072pubmed: 41600728google scholar: lookup
  2. da Silveira BP, Cohen ND, Lawhon SD, Watson RO, Bordin AI. Protective immune response against Rhodococcus equi: An innate immunity-focused review. Equine Vet J 2025 May;57(3):563-586.
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  4. da Silveira BP, Barhoumi R, Bray JM, Cole-Pfeiffer HM, Mabry CJ, Burghardt RC, Cohen ND, Bordin AI. Impact of surface receptors TLR2, CR3, and FcγRIII on Rhodococcus equi phagocytosis and intracellular survival in macrophages. Infect Immun 2024 Jan 16;92(1):e0038323.
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  5. Alvarez Narvaez S, Sanchez S. Exploring the Accessory Genome of Multidrug-Resistant Rhodococcus equi Clone 2287. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023 Nov 17;12(11).
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