Lawsonia intracellularis-specific interferon γ gene expression by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vaccinated and naturally infected foals

Nicola Pusterla, Samantha Mapes, Connie Gebhart

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8 Scopus citations

Abstract

The cell-mediated immune response to Lawsonia intracellularis, the agent of equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE), was investigated in vaccinated and naturally infected foals. Interferon (IFN)-γ gene expression was determined in peripheral blood mononuclear cells collected from vaccinated (n= 6) and control foals (n= 6) every 30. days for 180. days following first vaccine administration, and from clinically affected foals (n= 16) within 7-10. days of diagnosing EPE. Seroconversion (immunoperoxidase monolayer assay titer ≥60) occurred in 5/6 vaccinated foals between 60 and 90. days following the first vaccine administration and these foals remained seropositive for the remaining study period. IFN-γ gene expression in all vaccinated foals was significantly higher (P< 0.05) on days 60-180 following first vaccine administration compared to IFN-γ gene expression in control foals. When IFN-γ gene transcription was compared between naturally infected and vaccinated foals, a significant difference (P< 0.05) was observed only for day 0.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)249-251
Number of pages3
JournalVeterinary Journal
Volume192
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2012

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The vaccine used in this study was provided by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica. Connie Gebhart received a grant from Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica in partial support of this study. The other authors have no financial or personal relationships with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence or bias the content of the paper.

Funding Information:
The study was supported by the Center of Equine Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, with additional contributions from public and private donors. The authors are grateful to Dr. Bob Stenbom, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, for providing the vaccine. The authors thank Joel Viloria and the students from the Animal Science Horse Barn, University of California at Davis for assistance with sample collection.

Copyright:
Copyright 2012 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Cell-mediated immunity
  • Equine proliferative enteropathy
  • Horse
  • Lawsonia intracellularis

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