References
Failure of passive transfer of immunity
Abstract
Failure of passive transfer of immunity is recognised as the most common immune disorder in foals. As maternal immunoglobulins are not transferred to the fetus in utero, foals are born in an immunonaive state, which leaves them susceptible to infection. Variation in the reported incidence of failure of passive transfer of immunity is considered to be because of varying management practices and the availability of colostrum banks. Good management practices include close monitoring of the foal's ability to nurse, the quality of the mare's colostrum and early recognition of the immune status of the foal and whether veterinary intervention is warranted.
Failure of passive transfer of immunity is recognised as the most common disorder in foals that affects the immune system (Nath et al, 2010). It occurs secondary to (Giguère and Polkes, 2005):
Maternal immunoglobulins are not transferred to the fetus in utero due to the diffuse epitheliochorial placenta of the mare (Jeffcott, 1974; Tyler-McGowan et al, 1997). Foals are therefore born in an immunonaive state, which renders them susceptible to infection and subsequent death, and septicaemia has been reported in the literature as a major factor in neonatal morbidity and mortality (McGuire et al, 1977; Sturgill and Carter, 2008) with failure of passive transfer of immunity being recognised as a factor in the subsequent development of sepsis (Morris et al, 1985; Cohen, 1994; Tyler-McGowan et al, 1997). Variation in the incidence of failure of passive transfer of immunity is considered to be a result of varying management practices and the availability of colostrum banks that allow for early identification of poor quality colostrum and supplementation where necessary (Galvin and Corley, 2010).
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