Lymphocyte immunostimulation in the diagnosis of Corynebacterium equi pneumonia of foals

Prescott, J. F.
Ogilvie, Timothy H.
Markham, R. J. Frederick

American Journal of Veterinary Research

Journal Article

1980

41

12

2073

2075

Health Management
Pathology and Microbiology

A lymphocyte stimulation test using antigens of Corynebacterium equi was used to compare the response of peripheral blood lymphocytes from foals with C equi pneumonia with those of clinically normal foals and adult horses. The test clearly distinguished infected foals from normal foals when tested in animals less than or equal to 2 months old. After the 2nd month, stimulation response from individual normal foals sometimes exceed those from infected foals, but mean stimulation response to C equi Show moreA lymphocyte stimulation test using antigens of Corynebacterium equi was used to compare the response of peripheral blood lymphocytes from foals with C equi pneumonia with those of clinically normal foals and adult horses. The test clearly distinguished infected foals from normal foals when tested in animals less than or equal to 2 months old. After the 2nd month, stimulation response from individual normal foals sometimes exceed those from infected foals, but mean stimulation response to C equi antigens was significantly (P less than 0.025) greater in 3- to 5-month-old infected foals when compared with mean values of 3- to 5-month-old normal foals. Mean stimulation responses in 5- to 7-month-old foals, which had recovered from C equi pneumonia, could not be distinguished from mean responses of normal foals. The test could still, however, be used diagnostically in foals greater than 2 months of age if stimulation responses were low. The test indicated the great extent of exposure to C equi in the normal horse population. Show less

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