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Molecular mechanisms and treatment modalities in equine Culicoides hypersensitivity. Vet J 2021; 276:105741. [PMID: 34416400 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2021.105741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Equine Culicoides hypersensitivity (CH) is the most common allergic condition in horses affecting the skin. This review focuses on immunopathology and molecular mechanisms of equine CH. The role of eosinophils is emphasized, as well as disease severity and the influence of long-term chronic allergen exposure on T helper (Th) 2 cells. Using current knowledge from human allergic disorders, similar effects are hypothesized in equine patients. Key aspects of CH diagnosis and treatment are discussed, focusing on allergen specific immunotherapy and allergen-independent approaches, such as targeting hypereosinophilia through interleukin-5 and allergic non-histaminic pruritus though interleukin-31.
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2
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Larson EM, Wagner B. Viral infection and allergy - What equine immune responses can tell us about disease severity and protection. Mol Immunol 2021; 135:329-341. [PMID: 33975251 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2021.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Horses have many naturally occurring diseases that mimic similar conditions in humans. The ability to conduct environmentally controlled experiments and induced disease studies in a genetically diverse host makes the horse a valuable intermediate model between mouse studies and human clinical trials. This review highlights important similarities in the immune landscape between horses and humans using current research on two equine diseases as examples. First, equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) infection initiates a series of innate inflammatory signals at its mucosal entry site in the upper respiratory tract. These inflammatory markers are highly synchronized and predictable between individuals during viral respiratory infection and ultimately lead to adaptive immune induction and protection. The timing of early inflammatory signals, followed by specific adaptive immune markers correlating with immunity and protection, allow accurate outbreak tracking and also provide a foundation for understanding the importance of local mucosal immunity during other viral respiratory infections. Second, rare peripheral blood immune cells that promote allergic inflammation can be analyzed during Culicoides hypersensitivity, a naturally occurring type I IgE-mediated allergic disease of horses. Rare immune cells, such as IgE-binding monocytes or basophils, can be studied repeatedly in the horse model to unravel their larger mechanistic role in inflammation during allergic and other inflammatory diseases. We conclude with a survey of all other common equine inflammatory conditions. Together, this review serves as a reference and rationale for the horse as a non-rodent model for immunological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth M Larson
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, United States
| | - Bettina Wagner
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, United States.
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Zittra C, Wöss G, Van der Vloet L, Bakran-Lebl K, Shahi Barogh B, Sehnal P, Fuehrer HP. Barcoding of the Genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in Austria-An Update of the Species Inventory Including the First Records of Three Species in Austria. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9050406. [PMID: 32456256 PMCID: PMC7280969 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9050406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ceratopogonidae are small nematoceran Diptera with a worldwide distribution, consisting of more than 5400 described species, divided into 125 genera. The genus Culicoides is known to comprise hematophagous vectors of medical and veterinary importance. Diseases transmitted by Culicoides spp. Such as African horse sickness virus, Bluetongue virus, equine encephalitis virus (Reoviridae) and Schmallenberg virus (Bunyaviridae) affect large parts of Europe and are strongly linked to the spread and abundance of its vectors. However, Culicoides surveillance measures are not implemented regularly nor in the whole of Austria. In this study, 142 morphologically identified individuals were chosen for molecular analyses (barcoding) of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (mt COI). Molecular analyses mostly supported previous morphologic identification. Mismatches between results of molecular and morphologic analysis revealed three new Culicoides species in Austria, Culicoidesgornostaevae Mirzaeva, 1984, which is a member of the Obsoletus group, C. griseidorsum Kieffer, 1918 and C. pallidicornis Kieffer, 1919 as well as possible cryptic species. We present here the first Austrian barcodes of the mt COI region of 26 Culicoides species and conclude that barcoding is a reliable tool with which to support morphologic analysis, especially with regard to the difficult to identify females of the medically and economically important genus Culicoides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Zittra
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (C.Z.); (L.V.d.V.); (K.B.-L.); (B.S.B.)
- Unit Limnology, Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Günther Wöss
- Zoological Department 2, Natural History Museum Vienna, 1010 Vienna, Austria; (G.W.); (P.S.)
| | - Lara Van der Vloet
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (C.Z.); (L.V.d.V.); (K.B.-L.); (B.S.B.)
| | - Karin Bakran-Lebl
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (C.Z.); (L.V.d.V.); (K.B.-L.); (B.S.B.)
| | - Bita Shahi Barogh
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (C.Z.); (L.V.d.V.); (K.B.-L.); (B.S.B.)
| | - Peter Sehnal
- Zoological Department 2, Natural History Museum Vienna, 1010 Vienna, Austria; (G.W.); (P.S.)
| | - Hans-Peter Fuehrer
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (C.Z.); (L.V.d.V.); (K.B.-L.); (B.S.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +43-(1)-25077-2205
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4
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François L, Hoskens H, Velie BD, Stinckens A, Tinel S, Lamberigts C, Peeters L, Savelkoul HFJ, Tijhaar E, Lindgren G, Janssens S, Ducro BJ, Buys N, Schurink AA. Genomic Regions Associated with IgE Levels against Culicoides spp. Antigens in Three Horse Breeds. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10080597. [PMID: 31398914 PMCID: PMC6723964 DOI: 10.3390/genes10080597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH), which is a cutaneous allergic reaction to antigens from Culicoides spp., is the most prevalent skin disorder in horses. Misdiagnosis is possible, as IBH is usually diagnosed based on clinical signs. Our study is the first to employ IgE levels against several recombinant Culicoides spp. allergens as an objective, independent, and quantitative phenotype to improve the power to detect genetic variants that underlie IBH. Genotypes of 200 Shetland ponies, 127 Icelandic horses, and 223 Belgian Warmblood horses were analyzed while using a mixed model approach. No single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) passed the Bonferroni corrected significance threshold, but several regions were identified within and across breeds, which confirmed previously identified regions of interest and, in addition, identifying new regions of interest. Allergen-specific IgE levels are a continuous and objective phenotype that allow for more powerful analyses when compared to a case-control set-up, as more significant associations were obtained. However, the use of a higher density array seems necessary to fully employ the use of IgE levels as a phenotype. While these results still require validation in a large independent dataset, the use of allergen-specific IgE levels showed value as an objective and continuous phenotype that can deepen our understanding of the biology underlying IBH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liesbeth François
- Livestock Genetics, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hanne Hoskens
- Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Brandon D Velie
- School of Life & Environmental Sciences, B19-603 University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006,Australia
| | - Anneleen Stinckens
- Livestock Genetics, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Susanne Tinel
- Livestock Genetics, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Chris Lamberigts
- Research Group Livestock Physiology, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Leuven, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Liesbet Peeters
- Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, B-3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Huub F J Savelkoul
- Cell Biology and Immunology Group, Wageningen University & Research, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Edwin Tijhaar
- Cell Biology and Immunology Group, Wageningen University & Research, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Gabriella Lindgren
- Livestock Genetics, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Steven Janssens
- Livestock Genetics, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart J Ducro
- Animal Breeding and Genomics, Wageningen University & Research, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Nadine Buys
- Livestock Genetics, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - And Anouk Schurink
- Animal Breeding and Genomics, Wageningen University & Research, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands.
- Centre for Genetic Resources, The Netherlands (CGN), Wageningen University & Research, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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5
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Lomas HR, Robinson PA. A Pilot Qualitative Investigation of Stakeholders' Experiences and Opinions of Equine Insect Bite Hypersensitivity in England. Vet Sci 2018; 5:E3. [PMID: 29315275 PMCID: PMC5876561 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci5010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 01/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Equine insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH), commonly known as sweet itch or summer eczema, is a frustrating recurrent skin disease in the equine industry involving an immune reaction to the bites of Culicoides spp. midges. To investigate the impact of IBH in the field, an exploratory pilot study was conducted with equine stakeholders in one region of central England. Nine semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were conducted with horse owners and an equine veterinarian. The aim was to gain an understanding of experiences with IBH, and to gauge opinions on the value of the various management strategies horse owners use to control IBH. Awareness of IBH was generally high, particularly in those individuals who had previous experience with the condition. Those with previous experience of IBH commented on the significant effect on daily routines, and the associated cost implications. Most participants supported an integrated approach to hypersensitivity management, and this most commonly involved a combination of physical barriers and chemical repellents, but sometimes included feed supplementation. Overall, attitudes towards IBH suggested that the condition is a notable welfare and economic concern for stakeholders, but veterinary involvement tended to only be in more severe cases. Further research is required in the future to improve understanding, management and potential treatment of this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah R Lomas
- Department of Animal Production, Welfare and Veterinary Sciences, Harper Adams University, Newport, Shropshire TF10 8NB, UK.
| | - Philip A Robinson
- Department of Animal Production, Welfare and Veterinary Sciences, Harper Adams University, Newport, Shropshire TF10 8NB, UK.
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Elbers ARW, Meiswinkel R. Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) and livestock in the Netherlands: comparing host preference and attack rates on a Shetland pony, a dairy cow, and a sheep. JOURNAL OF VECTOR ECOLOGY : JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR VECTOR ECOLOGY 2015; 40:308-317. [PMID: 26611966 DOI: 10.1111/jvec.12169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2015] [Accepted: 05/25/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) host preferences and attack rates were quantified in early summer at a dairy farm in the Netherlands using livestock tethered at pasture. Midges were aspirated hourly over seven consecutive hours (17:00-23:00) from a dairy cow, a Shetland pony, and a sheep and correspondingly yielded seventeen, thirteen, and nine species. Of the 14,181 midges obtained, approximately 95% belonged to the C. obsoletus complex, C. dewulfi, C. chiopterus, and C. punctatus that together include all proven or potential vectors for arboviral diseases in livestock in northwestern Europe. On average, 7.6 and 3.5 times more Culicoides were collected, respectively, from the cow and the Shetland pony than from the sheep. In descending order of abundance, the C. obsoletus complex, C. dewulfi, and C. chiopterus dominated attacks on all three hosts, whereas C. punctatus and C. pulicaris favored only the two larger hosts. Irrespective of the host species involved, the three body regions attracted the same component species, C. chiopterus favoring the legs, C. punctatus and C. achrayi the belly, and the C. obsoletus complex, C. dewulfi, and C. pulicaris the head, back, and flanks. That known and potential vectors for animal diseases feed indiscriminately on a broad range of mammal hosts means that all major livestock species, including equines, are rendered susceptible to one or more Culicoides-borne pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- A R W Elbers
- Department of Epidemiology, Crisis Organization and Diagnostics, Central Veterinary Institute (CVI) part of Wageningen UR, P.O. Box 65, NL-8200AB Lelystad, the Netherlands.
| | - R Meiswinkel
- Via Pratarone 14, Rocca di Cave, Roma 00030, Italy
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The equine immune responses to infectious and allergic disease: a model for humans? Mol Immunol 2014; 66:89-96. [PMID: 25457878 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2014.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2014] [Revised: 09/23/2014] [Accepted: 09/29/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The modern horse, Equus caballus has historically made important contributions to the field of immunology, dating back to Emil von Behring's description of curative antibodies in equine serum over a century ago. While the horse continues to play an important role in human serotherapy, the mouse has replaced the horse as the predominant experimental animal in immunology research. Nevertheless, continuing efforts have led to an improved understanding of the equine immune response in a variety of infectious and non-infectious diseases. Based on this information, we can begin to identify specific situations where the horse may provide a unique immunological model for certain human diseases.
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