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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Pullman, Washington » Animal Disease Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #270443
Title: Protective effects of passively transferred merozoite-specific antibodies against Theileria equi in horses with severe combined immunodeficiency

Author
item MEALEY, R - Washington State University
item Kappmeyer, Lowell
item Ueti, Massaro
item WAGNER, BETTINA - Cornell University
item Knowles Jr, Donald

Submitted to: Clinical and Vaccine Immunology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/17/2011
Publication Date: 10/28/2011
Citation: Mealey, R.H., Kappmeyer, L.S., Ueti, M.W., Wagner, B., Knowles Jr, D.P. 2011. Protective effects of passively transferred merozoite-specific antibodies against Theileria equi in horses with severe combined immunodeficiency. Clinical and Vaccine Immunology. 19(1):100-4.

Interpretive Summary: The re-emergence of Theileria equi infection in the United States has promoted additional research into vaccine development for this foreign animal infection (disease). SCID foals are genetically incapable of producing antibody responses and are therefore an important host to learn about antibody mediated control of infection and disease. Blood from T. equi infected and uninfected horses was transfused into SCID foals to test for the ability of antibody to control infection. Data from this work indicate that antibody against T. equi plays a role in control of infection.

Technical Abstract: Theileria equi immune plasma was infused into young horses (foals) with severe combined immunodeficiency. Although all foals became infected following intravenous challenge with homologous T. equi merozoite stabilate, delayed time-to-peak parasitemia and enhanced survival occurred. Protective effects were associated with a predominance of passively transferred merozoite-specific IgG3.