TITLE:
Trace Element Analysis in Sera of Horses with Allergic Dermatitis and in Matched Healthy Controls with Special Attention to Zn, Ni and Ti
AUTHORS:
Raija Hallamaa, Sirpa Peräniemi
KEYWORDS:
Culicoides, Equine Summer Eczema, Insect Hypersensitivity, Nickel, Zinc
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Animal Sciences,
Vol.12 No.1,
January
27,
2022
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.