Seroprevalence of antibodies against Coccidioides immitis in healthy horses.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the seroprevalence of antibodies against Coccidioides immitis in healthy horses residing in an area in which the organism is endemic.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
197 healthy horses (in which coccidioidomycosis had not been previously diagnosed) that resided in an area of Arizona in which coccidioidomycosis is endemic.


METHODS
Of the horses evaluated at the Arizona Equine Medical and Surgical Center during a 6-month period, 197 with no clinical signs of coccidioidomycosis were randomly selected for inclusion in the study; sera were evaluated for IgM and IgG antibodies against C immitis via an immunodiffusion assay (IgG-positive samples were assessed quantitatively). Within 6 months, recheck titer evaluations were attempted for all seropositive horses.


RESULTS
Serum antibodies against C immitis were detected in 8 of 197 horses (seroprevalence, 4.06%). Results of serologic assays were positive for IgG antibodies and negative for IgM antibodies in 7 horses and positive for both IgG and IgM antibodies in 1 horse; reciprocal serum IgG antibody titers were low (none > 8). Follow-up serologic data were obtained from 5 horses; compared with initial findings, horses had become seronegative or titers were unchanged or decreased. Duration of residence in the area was significantly shorter for seropositive horses than for seronegative horses.


CONCLUSIONS
Serum antibodies against C immitis may rarely be detected in healthy horses residing in an area in which the disease is endemic; any horse with a detectable serum antibody titer should be reevaluated after an interval of at least 3 weeks.
Higgins
Jill C
JC
Arizona Equine Medical and Surgical Center, 1685 S Gilbert Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85296, USA.
Leith
Gayle S
GS
Voss
Ed D
ED
Pappagianis
Demosthenes
D
D000818:Animals; D000908:Antibodies, Fungal / Q000097:blood*; D001130:Arizona / Q000453:epidemiology; D003045:Coccidioides / Q000276:immunology*; D003047:Coccidioidomycosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006736:Horses; D005779:Immunodiffusion / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D000908:Antibodies, Fungal; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M