Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
L. Vostry, H. Vostra-Vydrova, J. Citek, G. Gorjanc, I. Curik
Summary: Inbreeding depression was observed to increase the prevalence of insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) in Old Kladruber horses. The use of a single-step approach helped in efficiently estimating overall and regional inbreeding effects. Overall, inbreeding, especially in the ELA class II region, was associated with an increased risk of IBH in Old Kladruber horses.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Denise Soderroos, Rickard Ignell, Pia Haubro Andersen, Kerstin Bergvall, Miia Riihimaki
Summary: Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH), a common allergic skin disease in horses caused by Culicoides biting midges, reduces the welfare of affected horses. This study examined the impact of IBH on animal welfare and behavior, and evaluated a new prophylactic insect repellent. The results showed that there were no differences in movement activity and observed behavior between IBH-affected horses and control horses. However, horses displayed more itching behaviors in the evening, indicating the need for protection and the use of insect repellents when Culicoides are most active. Short periods of scratching were associated with moderate/severe inflammatory skin lesions. It was found that the new repellent tested can potentially reduce allergen exposure and prevent signs of IBH, but further studies are required.
Review
Immunology
Ashley Vander Does, Angelina Labib, Gil Yosipovitch
Summary: Mosquito bites can cause various reactions, ranging from localized symptoms such as wheals and itchiness to rare systemic reactions and anaphylaxis. The itchiness is caused by mosquito saliva components entering the skin tissue, although the exact mechanism is unclear. Histamine is believed to play a role, but other salivary proteins and genetic factors may also contribute to itchiness. Prevention is important through physical barriers or repellents, and treatment involves antihistamines and corticosteroids. More research is needed on topical treatments targeting neural-mediated itch.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Allergy
Ella N. Novotny, Samuel J. White, A. Douglas Wilson, Sara B. Stefansdottir, Edwin Tijhaar, Sigridur Jonsdottir, Rebekka Frey, Dania Reiche, Horst Rose, Claudio Rhyner, Gertraud Schuepbach-Regula, Sigurbjoerg Torsteinsdottir, Marcos Alcocer, Eliane Marti
Summary: This study tested a panel of differentially expressed Culicoides r-allergens using an allergen microarray on a cohort of IBH-affected and control horses. Results showed that a combination of seven r-allergens could diagnose over 90% of IBH-affected horses with a specificity of over 95%, indicating their potential as major allergens for IBH.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Faezeh Nazari, Hamid-Reza Seyedabadi, Alireza Noshary, Nasser Emamjomeh-Kashan, Mohamad-Hosein Banabazi
Summary: The study revealed genomic regions under putative natural selection in the Kurdish horse population, containing known QTL associated with body size and insect bite hypersensitivity, among others. Inbreeding likely occurred around 20 generations ago. Further functional and comparative studies are necessary to confirm the effects of these regions on the genetic and phenotypic diversity of Kurdish horses.
JOURNAL OF EQUINE VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Abbey Cox, Allison J. Stewart
Summary: Insect Bite Hypersensitivity (IBH) is the most common pruritic disease of horses, caused by sensitivity to the saliva of biting midges or other insects. It affects up to 60% of horses in some areas and has significant welfare concerns. There is currently no cure, but management strategies include minimizing insect bites and symptomatic therapy with corticosteroids and antihistamines. New therapies such as vaccines and desensitization procedures show promise in controlling hypersensitivity reactions.
Article
Immunology
Sigridur Jonsdottir, Sigurbjorg Torsteinsdottir, Vilhjalmur Svansson, Johannes Gudbrandsson, Sara Bjork Stefansdottir, Jon Mar Bjornsson, Arna Runarsdottir, Eliane Marti
Summary: Research findings indicate that horses affected by IBH have higher levels of IgE in their serum, with Icelandic-born Icelandic horses showing higher levels of IgE against allergens. Both barley and E.coli produced allergens performed similarly in distinguishing between IBH-affected and healthy horses.
VETERINARY IMMUNOLOGY AND IMMUNOPATHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Elisabeth M. Larson, Susanna Babasyan, Bettina Wagner
Summary: Equine IL-8 is mainly produced by CD14(+)/MHC class II+/CD16(-) monocytes, including a subset of IgE-binding monocytes which have a higher capacity for IL-8 production in allergic horses. These IgE-binding monocytes are likely to contribute to the recruitment of innate immune cells and promotion of inflammation in IgE-mediated allergy.
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Dermatology
Anugya Mittal, Marcus L. Elias, Robert A. Schwartz, Rajendra Kapila
Summary: Cutaneous involvement can be a significant indicator of both COVID-19 and rickettsioses, both of which share a similar mechanism of infecting endothelial cells and causing vasculopathy. Rickettsial infections are characterized by eschars, while critically ill COVID-19 patients may exhibit eschars and necrotic lesions.
DERMATOLOGIC THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Adriana Palozzo, Donato Traversa, Giuseppe Marruchella, Gianluca Celani, Simone Morelli, Lucio Petrizzi
Summary: Cutaneous habronemosis in horses is caused by larvae of Habronema microstoma and Habronema muscae. This case describes clinic-pathological and surgical features of a quarter crack complicated by cutaneous habronemosis. Prompt diagnosis and treatment during fly activity are crucial for effective treatment and prevention of disfiguring summer sores.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Vera Carvalho Pessoa, Manuel Branco-Ferreira, Sigridur Jonsdottir, Eliane Marti, Paula Tilley
Summary: By testing IBH-affected horses, it was found that specific allergens Cul n WBE, Cul n 7, 8, 9, Cul o1P, and Cul o 2P performed the best in skin prick tests, showing a strong diagnostic potential. The sulfidoleukotriene release assay performed the best in in vitro tests.
Article
Allergy
Qing Wang, Nora L. Watson, Douglas E. Beakes, David J. Schwartz
Summary: This study compares the standard and accelerated venom skin test protocols for Hymenoptera venom allergy. The results show that the accelerated method is safer and does not result in adverse reactions. This study provides evidence for using an accelerated approach to reduce testing time and costs.
ANNALS OF ALLERGY ASTHMA & IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Allergy
Edgardo J. Jares, Victoria Cardona, R. Maximiliano Gome, Jonathan A. Bernstein, Nelson A. Rosario Filho, Ivan Cherrez-Ojeda, Luis Felipe Ensina, Alicia De Falco, Maria C. Diaz, Pierre A. Chavez Vereau, Mara M. Rocha Felix, Jorge Lavrut, Oscar I. Moreno Laflor, Patricia Latour Staffeld, Pedro Piraino, Perla Alacaraz Duarte, Juan C. Ivancevich, Fabian Dabove, Pedro Giavina-Bianchi, Ivan O. Tinoco Moran, Fabiana A. Nunes Oliviera, Silvana Monsell, Maria V. Souza, Alfonso M. Cepeda, Pablo D. Slullitel, Blanca M. Morfin-Maciel
Summary: This study investigated the clinical features, triggers and management of anaphylaxis in Latin America. The results showed that drug-induced anaphylaxis was the most common, followed by food-induced and venom-induced anaphylaxis. Children and adolescents were more likely to experience food-induced and insect sting-induced anaphylaxis. Less than half of the patients were prescribed epinephrine after emergency treatment. The importance of this study lies in providing updated data on anaphylaxis in Latin America and emphasizing the urgent need to disseminate and implement anaphylaxis guidelines.
WORLD ALLERGY ORGANIZATION JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Allergy
Sakura Sato, Noriyuki Yanagida, Komei Ito, Yoshitaka Okamoto, Hirohisa Saito, Masami Taniguchi, Makoto Nagata, Hirokuni Hirata, Masao Yamaguchi, Ruby Pawankar, Motohiro Ebisawa
Summary: This study conducted the first nationwide epidemiological survey on anaphylaxis in Japan. The results showed that children were the main population affected by anaphylaxis, with food and drugs being the most common triggers. Intramuscular injection of adrenaline was commonly used for treatment. The findings highlight the importance of comprehensive education and training on anaphylaxis.
ALLERGOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Sara Bjork Stefansdottir, Sigridur Jonsdottir, Holmfridur Kristjansdottir, Vilhjalmur Svansson, Eliane Marti, Sigurbjorg Torsteinsdottir
Summary: Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is a seasonal dermatitis in horses caused by an imbalance of T-cell subsets. Vaccination with r-Culicoides allergens in Aluminum hydroxide and monophosphoryl lipid A adjuvants induces a desired Th1/regulatory T-cell response. This study compares intralymphatic (i.l.) and sub-cutaneous (s.c.) injection, and finds that both methods can induce allergen-specific antibodies and block the binding of IgE. Horses vaccinated i.l. produce more IFN-gamma and less IL-4 compared to those injected s.c. Ultimately, s.c. injection may be a viable option for IBH immunotherapy.
VETERINARY IMMUNOLOGY AND IMMUNOPATHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
C. Bengtsson, H. Stalhammar, J. R. Thomasen, S. Eriksson, W. F. Fikse, E. Strandberg
Summary: This study compared mating allocations in Nordic Red Dairy Cattle using genomic information, optimizing economic scores while considering genetic level, semen cost, and recessive genetic defects. High correlations were found between pedigree and genomic relationship measures. Linear programming efficiently maximized economic scores for all herds studied, suitable for mating software used by advisors and farmers.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Sandra Bonow, Susanne Eriksson, Emma Thoren Hellsten, Asa Gelinder Viklund
Summary: Specialization towards jumping or dressage horses is evident in many European warmblood studbooks. The Swedish Warmblood (SWB) is also undergoing this specialization, which may require separate breeding programs and discipline-specific Young Horse Tests.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rakan Naboulsi, Jakub Cieslak, Denis Headon, Ahmad Jouni, Juan J. Negro, Goran Andersson, Gabriella Lindgren
Summary: Gene expression differences can help understand important genetic mechanisms between phenotypic traits. Choosing an appropriate sample collection method can enhance the specificity of results. In this study, RNA-seq was performed on plucked-hair and skin biopsy samples, and cell-type enrichment was compared between the two methods using cell-specific marker genes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Susanne Eriksson, Erling Strandberg, Anna M. Johansson
Summary: Swedish Red and Swedish Holstein, the dominant dairy cattle breeds in Sweden, have undergone significant changes in genomic diversity and inbreeding over the past half-century. The study used genotyping data from old and recent bulls to analyze different measures of homozygosity, genomic inbreeding, relatedness, and allele frequency changes. The results showed that the inbreeding level was higher in the past but has decreased, although recent years have seen an increase in inbreeding coefficients and homozygosity in Swedish Holstein. The findings highlight the importance of considering these factors in future breeding strategies.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Seyedeh Fatemeh Mousavi, Mohammad Razmkabir, Jalal Rostamzadeh, Hamid-Reza Seyedabadi, Rakan Naboulsi, Jessica L. Petersen, Gabriella Lindgren
Summary: This study evaluated the genetic diversity and genomewide selection signatures in four indigenous Iranian horse breeds. It found that these breeds were affected by natural and artificial selection in distinct phylogeographic clades. The researchers identified several candidate genes related to height variation in the Caspian horses and suggested new putative candidate genes under selection based on human height studies. These findings provide valuable information for genetic conservation and breeding strategies for these horse breeds.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Anahit Nazari-Ghadikolaei, Freddy Fikse, Asa Gelinder Viklund, Susanne Eriksson
Summary: Assessment protocols for Swedish Warmblood horses include linear scale scoring of conformation, gait, and jumping traits introduced in 2013. Factor analysis was used to investigate the relationship between evaluated and linearly scored traits. Results showed that factor analysis can help reduce the number of traits needed for genetic evaluation or genomic analysis.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
I. Hansson, A. Silvera, K. Ren, S. Woudstra, A. Skarin, W. F. Fikse, P. P. Nielsen, L. Ronnegard
Summary: Understanding the social interactions of dairy cows in group settings is crucial for improving herd management and optimizing animal health and welfare outcomes. This study aimed to identify the characteristics of cows that are associated with their number of social contacts in different functional areas, such as feeding and resting areas.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
C. Bengtsson, H. Stalhammar, J. R. Thomasen, W. F. Fikse, E. Strandberg, S. Eriksson
Summary: In this study, the mating allocation and genetic optimization in Holstein cattle were explored using genomic information. The researchers utilized two sets of data from genotyped bulls and applied linear programming to optimize economic scores. The results showed that it was possible to reduce genetic relationships and eliminate genetic defects without negatively affecting the genetic level. The study also highlighted the potential negative impact of economic value on monogenic traits.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
William Timothy Treal Taylor, Pablo Librado, Mila Hunska Tasunke Icu, Carlton Shield Chief Gover, Jimmy Arterberry, Anpetu Luta Win, Akil Nujipi, Tanka Omniya, Mario Gonzalez, Bill Means, Sam High Crane, Mazasu, Barbara Dull Knife, Wakihyala Win, Cruz Tecumseh Collin, Chance Ward, Theresa A. Pasqual, Lorelei Chauvey, Laure Tonasso-Calviere, Stephanie Schiavinato, Andaine Seguin-Orlando, Antoine Fages, Naveed Khan, Clio Der Sarkissian, Xuexue Liu, Stefanie Wagner, Beth Ginondidoy Leonard, Bruce L. Manzano, Nancy O'Malley, Jennifer A. Leonard, Eloisa Bernaldez-Sanchez, Eric Barrey, Lea Charliquart, Emilie Robbe, Thibault Denoblet, Kristian Gregersen, Alisa O. Vershinina, Jaco Weinstock, Petra Rajit Sikanjic, Marjan Mashkour, Irina Shingiray, Jean-Marc Aury, Aude Perdereau, Saleh Alquraishi, Ahmed H. Alfarhan, Khaled A. S. Al-Rasheid, Tajana Trbojevit Vukicevit, Marcel Buric, Eberhard Sauer, Mary Lucas, Joan Brenner-Coltrain, John R. Bozell, Cassidee A. Thornhill, Victoria Monagle, Angela Perri, Cody Newton, W. Eugene Hall, Joshua L. Conver, Petrus Le Roux, Sasha G. Buckser, Caroline Gabe, Juan Bautista Belardi, Christina I. Barron-Ortiz, Isaac A. Hart, Christina Ryder, Matthew Sponheimer, Beth Shapiro, John Southon, Joss Hibbs, Charlotte Faulkner, Alan Outram, Laura Patterson Rosa, Katelyn Palermo, Marina Sole, Alice William, Wayne McCrory, Gabriella Lindgren, Samantha Brooks, Camille Eche, Cecile Donnadieu, Olivier Bouchez, Patrick Wincker, Gregory Hodgins, Sarah Trabert, Brandi Bethke, Patrick Roberts, Emily Lena Jones, Yvette Running Horse Collin, Ludovic Orlando
Summary: This article reveals the importance of horses in many Indigenous cultures across the American Southwest and the Great Plains, as well as how horses were integrated into Indigenous lifeways. The study shows that horses rapidly spread from the south into the northern Rockies and central plains by the first half of the 17th century CE, likely through Indigenous exchange networks. Horses were deeply integrated into Indigenous societies before the arrival of 18th-century European observers, as reflected in herd management, ceremonial practices, and culture.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elif Bozlak, Lara Radovic, Viktoria Remer, Doris Rigler, Lucy Allen, Gottfried Brem, Gabrielle Stalder, Caitlin Castaneda, Gus Cothran, Terje Raudsepp, Yu Okuda, Kyaw Kyaw Moe, Hla Hla Moe, Bounthavone Kounnavongsa, Soukanh Keonouchanh, Nguyen Huu Van, Van Hai Vu, Manoj Kumar Shah, Masahide Nishibori, Polat Kazymbet, Meirat Bakhtin, Asankadyr Zhunushov, Ripon Chandra Paul, Bumbein Dashnyam, Ken Nozawa, Saria Almarzook, Gudrun A. Brockmann, Monika Reissmann, Douglas F. Antczak, Donald C. Miller, Raheleh Sadeghi, Ines von Butler-Wemken, Nikos Kostaras, Haige Han, Dugarjaviin Manglai, Abdugani Abdurasulov, Boldbaatar Sukhbaatar, Katarzyna Ropka-Molik, Monika Stefaniuk-Szmukier, Maria Susana Lopes, Artur da Camara Machado, Valery V. Kalashnikov, Liliya Kalinkova, Alexander M. Zaitev, Miguel Novoa-Bravo, Gabriella Lindgren, Samantha Brooks, Laura Patterson Rosa, Ludovic Orlando, Rytis Juras, Tetsuo Kunieda, Barbara Wallner
Summary: The Y chromosome is important for studying the demography of paternal lineages in horses. This study builds a comprehensive phylogeny of the horse Y chromosome using genetic data from domestic and wild horse populations. The results provide new insights into the breeding history and evolutionary trajectory of horse paternal lineages.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Heiorun Siguroardottir, Henrik Boije, Elsa Albertsdottir, Thorvaldur Kristjansson, Marie Rhodin, Gabriella Lindgren, Susanne Eriksson
Summary: This study identifies novel genetic factors that influence the pacing ability and quality of the gait in Icelandic horses. The researchers conducted a genome-wide association study and found several SNPs on specific chromosomes that were associated with the breeding field test score for pace. They also identified two novel QTL located within the RELN and STAU2 genes, which have been associated with locomotor behavior in mice. The findings suggest that these genetic factors, along with the DMRT3 gene, contribute to the complexity of the pacing trait. further research is needed to fully understand the underlying genetic factors and interactions.
GENETICS SELECTION EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Paulina Berglund, Sreten Andonov, Erling Strandberg, Susanne Eriksson
Summary: This study investigated the possibility of broadening the breeding goal by selecting for racing time per km over different race lengths. It found that there was a strong genetic correlation between racing time per km at different distances, but some re-ranking among stallions based on distance-specific breeding values.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS
(2023)
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Qasim Mashood, Anders H. Karlsson, Anna Wallenbeck, Susanne Eriksson, Anna M. Johansson, Katarina Arvidsson Segerkvist
Summary: This review examines the multi-factor problem of PSE-like zones in pork, including slaughter weight, chilling regime, and post-slaughter pH and temperature. Genetic factors are also found to affect PSE incidence.
ACTA AGRICULTURAE SCANDINAVICA SECTION A-ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2023)