Assessment of serum allergenspecific IgE levels in horses from Siedlce County, Poland

The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency of different allergies in horses from central Poland. Allergic diseases are common in horses all over the world. Common conditions that have been associated with immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergy in horses include insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH), urticaria and recurrent airway obstruction (RAO). A variety of serological assays are available to measure serum levels of allergen-specific IgE antibodies. They can provide supportive evidence for a diagnosis of equine allergic dermatitis associated with environmental allergens. This study was performed on clinically healthy, Polish noble half-breed horses. In this study, four groups of allergens were identified as commonly inducing allergic reactions: American house dust mites (D. farinae), cultivated plants (rape), English plantain (Plantago lanceolata) and biting midges (Culicoides nubeculosus). More than 50% of horses showed positive reactions to these groups of allergens. The factor that contributed most to allergy occurrence among horses was American house dust mites (D. farinae). In recent years, efforts have been made to identify new allergens and to better understand the specific pathogenesis of allergic diseases in animals. The development of allergic disease diagnostics has been facilitated by the availability of diagnostic methods along with enhanced awareness of allergic diseases in veterinary practice. Allergic disorders in horses are ultimately gaining the attention they deserve thanks to the fact that veterinary allergology has become a dedicated veterinary discipline.