Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Common variable immunodeficiency in a horse.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 2002
- Authors:
- Flaminio, M Julia B F et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical Sciences · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 12-year-old Quarter Horse mare was not responding to treatment for ongoing breathing problems and liver issues. Tests showed that she had very low levels of important immune proteins called immunoglobulins, which help fight infections. Further examinations indicated that she was missing a type of immune cell called B cells, which are crucial for producing these proteins. Because of her age and the test results, the veterinarians diagnosed her with common variable immunodeficiency, a condition that affects her immune system.
Abstract
A 12-year-old Quarter Horse mare that was nonresponsive to medical treatment was evaluated for chronic respiratory disease and hepatobiliary disease. Serum immunoglobulin concentrations were measured by use of radial immunodiffusion that revealed trace to nondetectable concentrations of IgG, IgG(T), IgM, and IgA. Use of serum protein electrophoresis confirmed agammaglobulinemia by the absence of the expected peak in the gamma region. In addition, vaccination with tetanus toxoid did not result in specific immunoglobulin production. Flow cytometric analysis of blood lymphocyte subpopulations revealed the absence of B cells in blood. Immunohistochemical analysis of tissue sections revealed the absence of B lymphocytes in bone marrow and spleen, with occasional B cells in the peripheral lymph nodes. Blood lymphocyte proliferation assays revealed weak responses to pokeweed mitogen and no response to stimulation with lipopolysaccharide. Considering the age and sex of the horse, results of the immunologic tests suggested a diagnosis of common variable immunodeficiency.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12418696/