Abstract
The most common allergic dermatitis of the horse is associated with hypersensitivity to insect bites. A purely hereditary-based background to this allergic pruritus has not been shown, and so far, it is not fully understood why some horses are more susceptible than others. Although altered zinc levels have been detected in many inflammatory and allergic disorders, changes in various trace elements have not been widely investigated in horses with allergic dermatitis. Therefore, the purpose was to analyse trace element profiles in the sera of 8 affected and 8 matched healthy horses and to further assess whether the profiles change after therapy of the affected animals. Sera were collected both before and after therapy of the eczema horses. Samples were analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for their iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co) and nickel (Ni) content. Concentrations of Zn and Ni were significantly lower in eczema than in healthy horses (p = 0.0089 and p = 0.0018, respectively). In addition, concentrations of Fe, Zn and Ni displayed significant inverse associations with the severity of clinical signs (p = 0.0075, p = 0.0397 and p = 0.0011, respectively). After a 4-week therapy, no significant differences were found between the groups. Concentrations of Ti were exceptionally stable both between the horses and over time. Horses with allergic dermatitis have alterations in their trace element profiles in comparison with healthy horses. Alterations seem to diminish when clinical signs are regressing.
Highlights
Allergic dermatitis due to hypersensitivity to insect bites is one of the diseases profoundly impairing the quality of life of horses
Altered zinc levels have been detected in many inflammatory and allergic disorders, changes in various trace elements have not been widely investigated in horses with allergic dermatitis
The purpose of this study was to assess the levels of nine trace elements in the sera of horses with allergic dermatitis and in their matched healthy controls by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and to further determine whether trace element levels change after therapy of the affected horses
Summary
Allergic dermatitis due to hypersensitivity to insect bites is one of the diseases profoundly impairing the quality of life of horses. Severity of clinical signs is related to the intensity of scratching and following skin lesions This hypersensitivity affects horses recurrently during the summer months, when animals are exposed to biting insects, especially to species of Culicoides [3] [4] [5]. A purely genetic background for this allergy has not been demonstrated and it is commonly recognized that this recurrent pruritus is a multifactor disease resulting from both hereditary and environmental predisposing factors [9] [14] It is obscure, why some horses are more susceptible to developing this dermatitis than others, even when they live in similar conditions. The elements with the most interesting or unexpected findings are discussed in more detail
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