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A.K. Rotting: Equine Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany
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The effects of Strongylus vulgaris parasitism on eosinophil distribution and accumulation in equine large intestinal mucosa
Article first published online: 5 JAN 2010
DOI: 10.2746/042516408X295464
2008 EVJ Ltd
Additional Information
How to Cite
ROTTING, A. K., FREEMAN, D. E., CONSTABLE, P. D., MOORE, R. M., EURELL, J. C., WALLIG, M. A. and HUBERT, J. D. (2008), The effects of Strongylus vulgaris parasitism on eosinophil distribution and accumulation in equine large intestinal mucosa. Equine Veterinary Journal, 40: 379–384. doi: 10.2746/042516408X295464
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A.K. Rotting: Equine Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany
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Island Whirl Equine Colic Research Laboratory, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Box 100136, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
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Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, 601 Vernon L. Tharp Street, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
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Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Purdue University, 625 Harrison Street, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA
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4287 Poplar Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70808, USA.
Publication History
- Issue published online: 5 JAN 2010
- Article first published online: 5 JAN 2010
- Paper received for publication 11.01.08, Accepted 26.02.08
- Abstract
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- horse;
- eosinophil;
- parasite;
- intestine;
- mucosa
Summary
Reasons for performing study: Eosinophilic granulocytes have been associated with parasite or immune-mediated diseases, but their functions in other disease processes remain unclear. Cause and timing of eosinophil migration into the equine gastrointestinal mucosa are also unknown.
Objective: To determine the effects of intestinal parasitism on eosinophils in equine large intestinal mucosa.
Methods: Large intestinal mucosal samples were collected from horses and ponies (n = 16) from the general veterinary hospital population, ponies (n = 3) raised in a parasite-free environment, ponies experimentally infected with 500 infective Strongylus vulgaris larvae and treated with a proprietary anthelmintic drug (n = 14), and a similar group of ponies (n = 7) that received no anthelmintic treatment. Total eosinophil counts and eosinophil distribution in the mucosa were determined by histological examination. A mixed model analysis was performed and appropriate Bonferroni adjusted P values used for each family of comparisons. P<0.05 was considered significant.
Results: There was no difference in large intestinal mucosal eosinophil counts and eosinophil distribution between ponies infected with S. vulgaris and those raised in a parasite-free environment. Experimental infection with S. vulgaris, with or without subsequent anthelmintic treatment, did not change eosinophil counts, and counts were similar to those for horses from the general population.
Conclusions: Migration of eosinophils to the equine large intestinal mucosa appears to be independent of exposure to parasites. Large intestinal mucosal eosinophils may have more functions in addition to their role in defence against parasites.
Potential relevance: Exposure to intestinal parasites is not a prerequisite for the presence of mucosal eosinophils in equine large intestine.