Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Immune-mediated polysynovitis in four foals.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1988
- Authors:
- Madison, J B & Scarratt, W K
- Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical Studies · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
In this study, four young horses (foals) developed a condition called immune-mediated polysynovitis, which means their joints became inflamed due to their immune system reacting improperly. All four foals had infections somewhere else in their bodies, not in their joints. They showed signs of swollen joints and stiffness, but tests for bacteria in the joints didn't show any growth. Special tests on joint tissue samples confirmed the presence of immune complexes, which are proteins that can cause inflammation. The researchers believe that the inflammation in the joints was triggered by the foals' immune response to their other infections.
Abstract
The deposition of immune complexes in the synovial membrane resulted in polysynovitis in 4 foals. All 4 foals had an infection at a site other than the joints. The polysynovitis was characterized by marked effusions of affected joints and joint stiffness. Bacterial and mycoplasmal cultures of the joints did not yield growth. Staining of synovial membrane biopsy specimens with fluorescein-labeled anti-equine IgG revealed immune complexes in the synovial membrane. Immune-mediated polysynovitis might develop in foals with bacterial infections. We propose that deposition of immunoglobulin in the synovial membrane of the affected foals was caused by an increase in circulating immune complexes formed as a result of the primary disease processes.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2970450/