Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Acquired immunodeficiency in a seven-year-old horse.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1987
- Authors:
- Freestone, J F et al.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A seven-year-old horse with no prior health issues was found to have a serious infection caused by a bacteria called Rhodococcus equi. Tests showed that the horse had low levels of certain immune cells and antibodies, which are important for fighting infections. The horse also did not respond well to tests that check how the immune system reacts to challenges. Despite thorough investigation, the reason for this weakened immune system was not identified. Overall, the horse was diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency, but the specific cause remains unknown.
Abstract
A 7-year-old horse with no previous history of illness was determined to have a systemic infection of Rhodococcus equi. Rhodococcus equi was isolated from blood, tracheal fluid, and feces. Lymphopenia, failure to respond to concanavalin A and phytohemagglutinin lymphocyte stimulation testing, decreased concentrations of immunoglobulin (Ig)M, IgA, and IgG, low R equi antibody titer, histologic depletion of lymphoid tissue, and a failure to respond to antigenic stimulation led to the conclusion that both humoral and cell-mediated immunity were compromised. No cause for the acquired immunodeficiency could be determined.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3570921/