March 3, 2026Open Access

The trajectories of relative concentrations of antirhodococcal immunoglobulin A differ from those of immunoglobulin G subisotypes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid but not serum of foals

Key Points

Increased antirhodococcal immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels may relate to lung immunity, while immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels do not show the same pattern.
Foals' responses to R equi suggest vulnerability during early infection, with IgA potentially indicating immune status.
Analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and serum shows unique trajectories of IgA and IgG concentrations.
This differentiation may guide understanding of foals' respiratory health, highlighting the need for targeted immune strategies.

Abstract

Foals do not mount strong antibody responses to R equi when they are most vulnerable to infection. Further investigation is warranted to determine if increasing intrapulmonary antirhodococcal IgA is a correlate of protective immunity or merely a marker of exposure.

The trajectories of relative concentrations of antirhodococcal immunoglobulin A differ from those of immunoglobulin G subisotypes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid but not serum of foals

Key Points

Abstract

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