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- Author or Editor: Stephen D. White x
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Abstract
Pruritus in the horse may be due to several causes, the most common being a hypersensitivity response to salivary proteins in the Culicoides genera, which may coexist with atopic dermatitis, also known as an environmental allergy to pollens, molds, dust, storage mites, etc. Less common etiologies are food allergy and contact allergy, the latter often caused by owners applying various products to the skin. Other ectoparasites, such as Chorioptes mites, may also initiate pruritus. Secondary bacterial infections (usually Staphylococcus spp) may be pruritic in and of themselves.
This article reviews the questions that need to be asked of owners to obtain a relevant history, always important for any organ system, but perhaps none more so than the skin. The various clinical findings such as alopecia and crusts and their location on the horse, diagnostic methods such as intradermal or serum testing for allergies, and subsequent hyposensitization are also discussed. Therapeutic options currently available for the potential underlying diseases, in particular for the hypersensitivity reactions to Culicoides spp or environmental allergens, are reviewed with the studies of hyposensitization over the last 40 years, as well as medications that may be effective.
While the most common causes of pruritus in the horse are known, the current understanding of the pathophysiology still needs to be investigated, and consequently, the most effective treatments for those causes need to be improved. Newer research is discussed that may eventually add to the diagnostic and therapeutic options currently available for the pruritic horse.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the pharmacokinetics of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) following single-dose IV or PO administration, characterize the pharmacokinetics of MMF following long-term PO administration, and describe the clinicopathologic effects of long-term MMF administration in horses.
ANIMALS
12 healthy adult horses.
PROCEDURES
In phase 1, 6 horses received a single IV (2.5 mg/kg) or PO (5 mg/kg) dose of MMF in a randomized balanced crossover assessment (≥ 2-week interval between administrations). In phase 2, 6 other horses received MMF for 60 days (5 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h for 30 days and then 5 mg/kg, PO, q 48 h for an additional 30 days).
RESULTS
Following IV (single-dose) or PO (single- or multiple-dose) administration, MMF was rapidly converted to mycophenolic acid. For single-dose PO administration, mean ± SD maximum plasma mycophenolic acid concentration was 1,778.3 ± 441.5 ng/mL at 0.71 ± 0.29 hours. For single-dose IV administration, mean systemic clearance and volume of distribution at steady state were 0.689 ± 0.194 L/h/kg and 1.57 ± 0.626 L/kg, respectively. Following single doses, mean terminal half-life was 3.99 ± 0.865 hours for IV administration and 4.02 ± 1.01 hours for PO administration. The accumulation index following long-term PO administration was 1.0 ± 0.002, and the terminal half-life was 4.59 ± 1.25 hours following the final dose on day 60. None of the horses developed abnormal clinical signs or had any consistently abnormal clinicopathologic findings.
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Further investigation of the clinical efficacy of long-term MMF treatment of horses with autoimmune diseases is warranted.
Abstract
Objective—To assess heritability and mode of inheritance for hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia (HERDA) in Quarter Horses.
Animals—1,295 horses with Quarter Horse bloodlines, including 58 horses affected with HERDA.
Procedure—Horses were classified as affected or unaffected or as undetermined when data were insufficient to assess phenotype. Pedigree data were analyzed to determine the probable mode of inheritance. Heritability was estimated by use of Bayesian statistical methods.
Results—Heritability (mean ± SD) of HERDA was estimated to be 0.38 ± 0.13, with both sexes having an equal probability of being affected. Results for evaluation of the pedigrees were consistent with a single Mendelian autosomal recessive mode of inheritance.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—HERDA in Quarter Horses is an inherited disease, and affected horses are more likely to produce affected offspring. An autosomal recessive mode of inheritance should be considered by people making breeding decisions involving Quarter Horses when a first-degree relative has been confirmed with HERDA or has produced affected offspring. In addition, breeders whose horses have produced affected offspring can reduce the likelihood of producing affected horses in the future by avoiding inbreeding. (Am J Vet Res 2005;66:437–442)
Abstract
Objective—To determine pharmacokinetics of azathioprine (AZA) and clinical, hematologic, and serologic effects of IV and oral administration of AZA in horses.
Animals—6 horses.
Procedure—In study phase 1, a single dose of AZA was administered IV (1.5 mg/kg) or orally (3.0 mg/kg) to 6 horses, with at least 1 week between treatments. Blood samples were collected for AZA and 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) analysis 1 hour before and at predetermined time points up to 4 hours after AZA administration. In study phase 2, AZA was administered orally (3 mg/kg) every 24 hours for 30 days and then every 48 hours for 30 days. Throughout study phase 2, blood samples were collected for CBC determination and serum biochemical analysis.
Results—Plasma concentrations of AZA and its metabolite, 6-MP, decreased rapidly from plasma following IV administration of AZA, consistent with the short mean elimination half-life of 1.8 minutes. Oral bioavailability of AZA was low, ranging from 1% to 7%. No horses had abnormalities on CBC determination or serum biochemical analysis, other than 1 horse that was lymphopenic on day 5 and 26 of daily treatment. This horse developed facial alopecia from which 1 colony of a Trichophyton sp was cultured; alopecia resolved within 1 month after the study ended.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Overall, no adverse effects were observed with long-term oral administration of AZA to horses, although 1 horse did have possible evidence of immunosuppression with chronic treatment. Further investigation of the clinical efficacy of AZA in the treatment of autoimmune diseases in horses is warranted. (Am J Vet Res 2005;66:1578–1583)
Abstract
Objective—To evaluate a method of aerobic bacteriologic culture of epidermal collarette specimens from dogs with superficial pyoderma and compare results with those for aerobic bacteriologic culture of abdominal skin specimens in healthy dogs.
Design—Prospective study.
Animals—22 dogs with epidermal collarettes and 24 healthy dogs.
Procedure–Dry sterile cotton swabs were rolled across epidermal collarettes or hairless areas of abdominal skin in healthy dogs and submitted for aerobic bacteriologic culture. Hemolytic colonies of gram-positive–staining cocci were tested for catalase production, and if results were positive, a coagulase test was performed. Colonies with coagulase activity were tested for the ability to ferment mannitol. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed on all Staphylococcus spp that were isolated.
Results–S intermedius was isolated from collarettes in 18 of 22 dogs with superficial pyoderma but not from healthy dogs. Estimated sensitivity and specificity of the culture method were 81.8% and 100%, respectively. There were no significant differences in the ability to culture S intermedius, the number of S intermedius isolates without resistance to antimicrobials, and the number of S intermedius isolates resistant to penicillin G when comparing dogs with superficial pyoderma for the first time and dogs with recurrent pyoderma, dogs that did or did not receive concurrent antimicrobials, and dogs with and without underlying allergic disease.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance–Bacteriologic culture of epidermal collarette specimens was a simple and reliable method for identification of S intermedius in dogs with superficial pyoderma, regardless of history of pyoderma or current antimicrobial use. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2005;226:904–908)
Abstract
In collaboration with the American College of Veterinary Pathologists
