she almost assuredly has received a representative cross-section of > Iceys, and a very large fraction contract SE. So a very large percentage is > prone to developing SE. Yet, since Anneliese finds that their US-born > children virtually never get SE, it is not that they are genetically > pre-determined to get this allergy. > Please also note that a horse born and raised in a dry area of the US > southwest, and then brought to central Florida as an adult, has a good chance > of developing SE, too. Just like the Iceland-born Iceys, they did not get > exposed to the culicoides' allergens when their immune systems were being > programmed with what is "self", what they will not develop antibodies against, > which includes the bugs they are regularly exposed to in the first few months > of life. > I hope this helps. > yours, Barbara > Barbara Sollner-Webb > Biological Chemistry Department
Yes, Barbara: You spelled out the conditions that are favorable to culicoides and thus to the development of SE in imported Icelandics. That is exactly what we have here: high humidity, ponds, small streams, and we are in a protected valley that is a haven to all sorts of bugs in addition to the no-see-ums. We also have an amazing quantity of the bad lady bugs. I am certain that there are areas where imported horses will develop only minimal symptoms or none at all such as areas with breezes and horses that are kept in a clean stall at dawn and dusk. And early exposure is definitely the key. Thanks, Anneliese
