Transient hypogammaglobulinaemia of the young in a Thoroughbred yearling |
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| Authors: | Gemma Cock M Julia B Felippe Armon Blair Sally DeNotta |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA;2. Equine Immunology Laboratory, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA;3. Ocala Equine Hospital, Ocala, Florida, USA |
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| Abstract: | A 12-month-old Thoroughbred colt was presented for chronic recurrent respiratory disease characterised by persistent nasal discharge, intermittent pyrexia and coughing of several months' duration. These episodes were responsive to empirical antimicrobial therapy but returned once therapy was discontinued. History, physical examination and initial diagnostics were suggestive of bacterial pneumonia and possible underlying immunodeficiency. Serum immunoglobulin analysis and peripheral blood lymphocyte phenotyping revealed low serum IgG and IgM concentrations. In this 12-month-old colt, low serum IgG concentration was the most diagnostic parameter and supported a presumptive diagnosis of transient hypogammaglobulinaemia of the young. The colt responded favourably to repeated treatment with antimicrobials for bacterial pneumonia, and serial immunologic testing over the following months showed gradual increase in serum IgG and IgM concentrations, supporting the diagnosis of delayed development of humoral immunity in this patient. |
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| Keywords: | horse diagnostic equine immunology immunodeficiency |
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