Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Unusual patterns of serum antibodies to Streptococcus equi in two horses with purpura hemorrhagica.
- Journal:
- Journal of veterinary internal medicine
- Year:
- 1991
- Authors:
- Heath, S E et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine · Canada
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
In a study involving 28 adult horses, researchers looked at the levels of certain antibodies related to a bacteria called Streptococcus equi, which can cause infections. Among these horses, 9 had recent infections, 17 had no known exposure to the bacteria, and 2 were suffering from a condition called purpura hemorrhagica, which involves bleeding under the skin. The horses with recent infections showed the highest levels of a specific antibody called IgA. For the horses with purpura, their levels of another antibody, IgG, were initially very low but increased as they began to recover from the disease. Overall, the treatment for the horses with purpura appeared to be effective, as their antibody levels rose during recovery.
Abstract
An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for use in horses to determine serum titers of antibodies of the immunoglobulin classes IgA, IgG, and IgM to Streptococcus equi M-like protein and culture supernatant protein antigens. Serum antibodies were determined in 28 adult horses, including 9 horses with recent S. equi infections, 17 horses without known exposure to S. equi, but without a history of respiratory disease in the preceding 4 months, and 2 horses with clinical purpura hemorrhagica. Serum IgA titers to culture supernatant protein antigen were highest in recently infected horses (P less than 0.001). Serial determinations of antibody titers in the horses with purpura showed that IgG antibodies to both S. equi M-like protein and culture supernatant protein antigens were undetectable initially, but later rose coincidental with clinical recovery from the disease. Possible mechanisms for these findings are discussed.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1748978/