A study into the causes of severe equine asthma (sEA) has
revealed associations with over 113 substances, including latex found in
artificial surfaces.
Lead researcher Sam White found that natural rubber latex
was among ‘the most surprising and significant’ of several new allergens
present in the dust horses breathe.
The study used advanced computing power to assess 400
potential allergens in over 130 sEA-affected and healthy horses, working with
research groups in Switzerland, France, Canada and USA.
The study revealed several previously suspected allergens,
such as pollen, mould and insect proteins, are likely involved in sEA, but the
most surprising finding was the implication that natural rubber latex might
also play a role. In fact, four of the five most significant allergens
associated with sEA were latex proteins. The fifth was a protein from
Aspergillus fumigatus, a common fungus previously linked with sEA. Until now,
latex had not been tested due to limitations associated with classical allergen
assessment methods.
White, now based in Nottingham Trent University's School of
Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, carried out the study for the Royal
Agricultural University (RAU) and the University of Nottingham.
The research used mathematical modelling to allow diagnosis
of sEA from a blood sample, avoiding the need for more invasive diagnostic
techniques currently employed.
He said: “The most significant and surprising allergens
associated with sEA were from natural rubber latex. Latex is historically
associated with the equine environment in the form of artificial surfaces on
arenas and racetracks.
“The high level of
respirable dust associated with training on these surfaces has already been
linked with chronic bronchitis, inflammation and oxidative stress in riding
instructors, and latex has long been associated with a variety of respiratory
conditions in humans.
“These early results show it could be linked to respiratory
problems in horses too, although it is too early to make a firm conclusion
based on these data.”
He added that further research is needed to establish the
levels of latex horses are exposed to in their environment, and the effects it
has on them.
White said the identification of new allergens would improve
allergen avoidance and inform future diagnostic tests and therapies.
For more details,
see:
Antigen
array for serological diagnosis and novel allergen identification in severe
equine asthma
S.
J.White , M. Moore-Colyer, E. Marti, D. Hannant, V.Gerber, L. Coüetil, E.A.
Richard, M. Alcocer
Sci
Rep (2019) 9, 15170
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