The symptoms of equine SCID tend to develop around time the foal seems normal and healthy. This occurs because
months of age, before this
antibodies from the colostrum protect the foal until they begin to degrade. As affected foals are unable to produce their own antibodies, they become vulnerable to repeated infection once the maternal antibodies are gone. Other symptoms of equine SCID include hypoplastic lymphoid tissue, lymphocytopnea, lack of IgM in blood plasma before ingestion of colostrum, severe and repeated infection occurring around four - six months of age, death occurring between four to six months of age. Diagnosis of equine SCID can be made by noting the presence of three or more of the above symptoms in an Arabian or part-Arabian horse. Definitive diagnosis is through testing for mutation of the genes responsible for VDJ recombinase. There is presently no treatment for affected individuals, however symptomatic treatment for secondary infection may be required or humane euthanasia. Currently, prognosis is 100% fatal. Prevention is genetic testing. As this trait is heritable, it is recommended that Arabian and Arabian-cross animals are tested for genetic mutations before being considered suitable for breeding. More research is being done to find a treatment for SCID through genetic testing. Animals that are carriers should not be bred.
Immunoglobulin Deficiency
Immunoglobulin deficiency is a failure of the body to produce sufficient . The deficiency can be primary which is congenital or secondary which means the immunodeficiency was acquired. Acquired deficiencies occur in foals that do not receive adequate maternal antibodies from the colostrum. This is also called failure of . Newborn animals that do not obtain adequate levels of these antibodies often develop fatal bacterial or viral infections of the gastrointestinal or respiratory tract. Acquired deficiencies in mature horses can occur due to immunosuppressive treatments, such as corticosteroids, viral infections, stress, tumours, endocrine disorders and ageing. Immunoglobulin deficiency can occur as part of any disease that disrupts the production of antibodies in the body. For example, certain tumours cause the production of abnormal antibodies, which decreases production of normal antibodies. Signs & symptoms can include repeated infection, weight loss, ineffective treatment with antibiotics, pneumonia, pyodermatitis, meningitis, abscesses and osteomyelitis. Diagnosis can be complicated and involves thorough case history, laboratory tests such as a complete blood count & genetic testing. Depending on whether the deficiency is short- or long term, treatment with antibiotics and intravenous immunoglobulins may be needed. Depending on whether the deficiency is short- or long term, treatment with antibiotics and intravenous immunoglobulins may be needed.
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