Common Variable Immunodeficiency in Horses is Characterized by B Cell Depletion in Primary and Secondary Lymphoid Tissues
2009
Flaminio, M. Julia B. F. | Tallmadge, Rebecca L. | Salles-Gomes, Cristina O. M. | Matychak, Mary Beth
Introduction Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) in horse patients is characterized by late-onset B cell lymphopenia or depletion, hypo- or agammaglobulinemia, impaired humoral response to tetanus toxoid vaccination, and recurrent fevers and bacterial infections. Discussion This study describes the clinical and immunologic findings of 14 affected horses (average age 10.7 ± 4.4 years) of both genders (six females, eight males) and different breeds (eight Thoroughbreds, four Quarter Horses, one Warmblood, one Pony). Serial immunological testing in peripheral blood revealed persistent, severe B cell lymphopenia (mean 1.3 ± 2.3% positive cells) in all patients. Serum IgG (range <200 to 800 mg/dL) and IgM (<=25.0 mg/dL) deficiency was common to all horses. Serum IgA concentrations declined with time. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry revealed absence of lymphoid follicles and B cells in primary and secondary lymphoid tissues. CVID is a cause of recurrent pneumonia, septicemia, and meningitis in adult horses and has a grave prognosis for clinical management and survival.
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