ARS | Publication request: Protective effects of passively transferred merozoite-specific antibodies against Theileria equi in horses with severe combined immunodeficiency

Submitted to: Clinical and Vaccine Immunology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: October 17, 2011
Publication Date: October 28, 2011
Repository URL: http://cdli.asm.org
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.