Results of intradermal tests in horses without atopy and horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
OBJECTIVE
To compare results of intradermal tests (IDT), conducted using environmental allergens, in horses without atopy and horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).


METHODS
38 horses (22 horses without atopy and 16 horses with COPD).


METHODS
All horses were examined (physical examination, hematologic examination, serum biochemical analyses, examination of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid). An IDT was conducted, using a full panel of 73 allergens consisting of grasses, weeds, trees, molds, and insects. Results of the IDT were evaluated 30 minutes and 4, 6, and 24 hours after injection of allergens. Horses without atopy were euthanatized, and gross and histologic changes of lung parenchyma were assessed.


RESULTS
Horses without atopy had a greater number of positive immediate and late-phase reactions than did horses with COPD. Horses with COPD did not have a significantly greater number of positive reactions than horses without atopy at any time period for any allergen group (grasses, weeds, trees, molds, and insects).


CONCLUSIONS
Positive results of IDT document allergen-specific hypersensitivity but do not necessarily distinguish clinically relevant reactions from subclinical reactivity in horses with COPD. Interpreting the clinical relevance of results of IDT requires a thorough knowledge of the medical history, physical examination findings, and environment of each animal.
Lorch
G
G
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus 43210, USA.
Hillier
A
A
Kwochka
K W
KW
Saville
W J
WJ
Kohn
C W
CW
Jose-Cunilleras
E
E
D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005658:Fungi / Q000276:immunology; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D006736:Horses; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000662:veterinary; D007313:Insecta / Q000276:immunology; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D006109:Poaceae / Q000276:immunology; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000662:veterinary*; D014197:Trees / Q000276:immunology
D000485:Allergens