Quantification of antigen-specific antibody concentrations in tracheal lavage fluid of horses with summer pasture-associated obstructive pulmonary disease.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether horses with summer pasture-associated obstructive pulmonary disease (SPAOPD) have increased concentrations of antigen-specific IgG and IgE in tracheal lavage fluid, compared with values in clinically normal horses.


METHODS
8 horses (6 females, 2 geldings; 6 Quarter Horses, 2 Appaloosas), 14 to 23 years old and with previous diagnosis of SPAOPD, served as the principal group; 8 horses (2 females, 6 geldings; 1 Quarter Horse, 7 Thoroughbreds), 6 to 9 years old, with no evidence of respiratory tract disease, served as the control group.


METHODS
Data were collected twice during a 1-year period: when all SPAOPD-affected horses were manifesting clinical signs of disease (July), and when all SPAOPD-affected horses appeared clinically normal (February). On each occasion, clinical evaluations were performed and blood and tracheal lavage fluid samples were collected. Transtracheal lavage supernatant was evaluated for mold antigen-specific IgG and IgE concentrations.


RESULTS
Median IgE relative antibody unit (RAU) values were significantly higher in control, compared with principal, horses. The SPAOPD-affected horses had increased concentrations of specific IgG for only 1 antigen, during winter sample collection.


CONCLUSIONS
Antigen-specific IgG and IgE RAU values were not increased in SPAOPD-affected horses when these horses were manifesting clinical signs of disease.
Seahorn
T L
TL
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge 70803, USA.
Beadle
R E
RE
McGorum
B C
BC
Marley
C L
CL
D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D006736:Horses; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D012621:Seasons; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000662:veterinary; D014132:Trachea / Q000276:immunology*; D014508:Urea / Q000097:blood
D000906:Antibodies; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D014508:Urea