title: Discriminant and multiple regression analysis of anemia and opportunistic infection in Fell pony foals.
abstract: A condition resembling acquired immunodeficiency with anemia has been described in British Fell pony foals. The pathogenesis is unknown. The present study involved 322 foals of which 164 were of Fell breed and 12 were affected. Discriminant and multiple regression analyses were used to test the results of all clinical pathology parameters from these foals for statistical association with (1) breed origin and (2) presence of disease. Only hematocrit associated significantly with presence of disease. However, significant associations were found with Fell breed origin, including serum albumin concentration and lymphocyte count. The unexpected discovery of sporadic lymphocytosis in the breed indicates the value of this kind of analysis and may be evidence that Fell foal immunodeficiency is associated with retroviral infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3BX, UK. daysman@liverpool.ac.uk
authors.forename: John B.
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Dixon
authors.forename: Malcolm
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Savage
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wattret
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Gordon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: Stuart D.
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: Donald F.
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Haywood
authors.forename: Clare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Phythian
authors.forename: Andrew R.
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Macintyre
authors.forename: Susan C.
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: Derek C.
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Knottenbelt
authors.forename: Jack R.
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Green