Combined immunodeficiency in Arabian foals

The combined immunodeficiency ( English severe combined immunodeficiency , SCID) is an inherited, fatal immunodeficiency disease in Arabian horses .

In SCID there is a defect in the gene for the DNA-dependent protein kinase . The genetic defect is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. In the disease, both the globulin-producing B lymphocytes , which leads to agammaglobulinemia , and the T lymphocytes responsible for cellular defense are absent . Due to the weak immune system caused by this, various illnesses, especially pneumonia and diarrhea , accumulate from the age of about 10 days . Most of the time, the animals die of minor infections around five months old.

literature

• Olof Dietz: Handbook horse practice . Enke, Stuttgart 2006, ISBN 3-8304-1028-X , p. 293.