Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Acquired B lymphocyte deficiency and chronic enterocolitis in a 3-year-old quarter horse.
- Journal:
- Veterinary immunology and immunopathology
- Year:
- 1997
- Authors:
- MacLeay, J M et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical and Population Sciences · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 3-year-old American Quarter Horse was found to have a problem with its immune system, specifically a deficiency in B lymphocytes, which are important for fighting infections. The horse had chronic diarrhea caused by a type of bacteria called Salmonella typhimurium, as well as bacterial pneumonia, which is an infection in the lungs. Various tests were done to understand the immune issue, showing low levels of certain antibodies and a decrease in the function of another type of immune cell called T cells. Unfortunately, the horse's condition was serious, and it ultimately did not survive.
Abstract
This case report describes a 3-year-old American Quarter Horse with acquired immunodeficiency. Clinical signs included chronic diarrhea due to Salmonella typhimurium and bacterial pneumonia. Characterization of the immunodeficiency involved in vivo phytohemagglutinin (PHA) intradermal testing, in vitro lymphocyte proliferation in response to concanavalin A, immunofluorescence flow cytometry data on blood lymphocytes, serum protein electrophoresis and immunoglobulin (Ig) quantification. A diagnosis of B lymphocyte deficiency with resulting deficiencies in serum IgG, IgA and IgM and a concurrent decrease in T cell function was made based on these tests. Postmortem examination revealed no evidence of lymphosarcoma. This case represents a variation of young adult-onset B cell deficiency not previously described in the literature.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9239837/