Temporary suppression of cell-mediated immunity in Standardbred horses with decreased athletic capacity

Abstract

Eighty Standardbred horses, originating from 5 training campuses, with decreased athletic performance in association with symptoms such as intermittent fever and mild pharyngitis were examined. As control animals, 10 horses from a stable with normally performing horses were used. Virus isolation and clinico-chemical and serological tests were performed. Lymphocyte proliferation tests were carried out to evaluate the capacity of the cell-mediated immunity. In addition, a bioassay for equine type I interferon, as a marker for early viral infections, was established. No specific microbe could be linked to these symptoms, but there was a temporary suppression of the cell-mediated immunity, which might be explained by the serological evidence of an EHV-2 and/or rhinovirus infection.

Keywords

poor performance; lymphocyte proliferation; equine interferon; virus; serology

Published in

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica
1998, volume: 39, number: 1, pages: 25-33
Publisher: DANSKE DYRLAEGEFORENING

SLU Authors

• Jensen Waern, Marianne

  • Department of Medicine and Surgery, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Fossum, Caroline

  • Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Pathobiology

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/106618