< "Janice McDonald" [EMAIL PROTECTED] continued:
< There is a study ongoing now at Cornell Vet School by this same
woman...
this new study is quite different that the 2002 one, and is MUCH
more specific, looking particularly for the horse's antibodies that
recognize the "allergens from Culicoides midges".
it is reassuring, but certainly no surprise, that horses who
exhibit a strong allergic reaction to culicoides (the SE allergy)
tend to have higher levels of antibodies that recognize the
culicoides allergens. again, this is basic immunology, and has long
been known for people who have bad allergies to bees, poison ivy,
etc. maybe it has not been specifically shown for culicoides'
antibodies in horses with SE, but it is the result that is totally
expected.
it does show that your horse's allergy, which you have attributed
to SE, probably indeed is SE.
however, knowing that your horse has high levels of antibodies to
the culicoides' antigens does not do much to help your horse.
unfortunately, being able to confirm the horse's allergic reaction in
the laboratory is VERY far away from developing a cure, or vaccine,
or even a real understanding of the allergy. it certainly would be
wonderful if the assistant professor who is doing this study has some
magic treatment up her labcoat sleeve. but i wouldn't hold my breath.
