Acute Phase Protein Response in Native and Imported Horses After Routine Combination Vaccination Protocol

Area of Science:

• Equine immunology
• Veterinary diagnostics
• Biomarker analysis

Background:

• Fibrinogen and serum amyloid A (SAA) are key equine acute phase proteins.
• Limited data exists on their response to combination vaccination protocols in horses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the acute phase response (SAA, fibrinogen, rectal temperature) following a standard equine combination vaccination.
• To compare these responses between imported and native horses.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort study design.
• Blood samples collected at 0, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 168 hours post-vaccination for SAA and fibrinogen analysis.
• Rectal temperatures recorded concurrently with blood sampling.

Main Results:

• All horses exhibited increased SAA and fibrinogen post-vaccination.
• Imported horses showed significantly higher SAA levels from 24 to 168 hours compared to native horses.
• Fibrinogen levels increased in all horses but did not differ significantly between groups.
• Imported horses had higher baseline rectal temperatures and a greater percent increase at 24 hours post-vaccination.

Conclusions:

• Standard combination vaccination elicits an acute phase response in horses.
• Imported horses demonstrate a more pronounced SAA response compared to native horses.
• These findings are important for interpreting health status in recently vaccinated imported horses.