Type I hypersensitivity reactions have become a recurring, sometimes fatal, problem in the equine industry, due in part to the practice of annual and semi-annual vaccinations. While hypersensitivity reactions to vaccines are rare, new viral vaccines have caused an increase in the incidence of adverse responses. For example, the equine West Nile virus (WNV) vaccine increased the number and frequency of administered vaccines. One such WNV vaccine was pulled from the market due to reports of adverse responses. [superscript 1,2] Without proper vaccination, horses are at higher risk of potentially preventable disease, which can lead to loss of performance and occasionally loss of life. [superscript 3,4] While there is no current WNV vaccine for humans, there are several vaccines for horses. These vaccines are designed to protect; however, many are causing type I IgE-mediated hypersensitivity allergic responses that include local and severe systemic anaphylaxis. The following review will briefly describe characteristics of West Nile virus, including clinical and pathological responses associated with disease and with protection against disease through vaccination. Herein I present an overview of viral vaccines and vaccine components that may initiate adverse responses, and how adverse immune responses to these components can be modulated. Finally, the review will discuss type I hypersensitivity, its induction, pathogenesis, and components of immune responses. The remaining dissertation depicts the experiments carried out over a 4 year period. Beginning with the study conducted to observe the relationship between T regulatory cells and IgE responses. Followed by the in-vitro CpG oligodeoxynucleotides study, aimed at modulating the immune response to stimulate a shift from a T helper 2 to a T helper 1 response. Finally, the last section depicts the in-vivo study, in which a CpG oligodeoxynucleotide was combined with a West Nile virus vaccine. This in-vivo study was aimed at demonstraiting that the immune response in horses could be modulated to show a shift from a T helper 2 to a T helper 1 response.

This issue of Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice focuses on Immunology and Vaccination, with topics including: Recent Advances In Vaccine Technologies; Immune System's Response to Vaccination; Current Vaccine Strategies for Dogs and Cats; Update on Therapeutic Vaccines; Common and Newly Recognized Autoimmune Diseases; Adverse Response to Vaccination; Vaccines in Shelters and Group Settings; Evidence vs Belief in Vaccine Recommendations; Effects of Aging on the Immune Response; and Use of Antibody Titer to Determine the Need for Vaccination.

Immunopotentiators in Modern Vaccines provides an in-depth insight and overview of a number of most promising immunopotentiators in modern vaccines. In contrast to existing books on the subject it provides recent data on the critical mechanisms governing the activity of vaccine adjuvants and delivery systems. Knowledge of immunological pathways and scenarios of the cells and molecules involved is described and depicted in comprehensive illustrations. - Contributions from leading international authorities in the field - Well-illustrated, informative figures present the interactions between immunopotentiators and the host immune system - Each chapter lists advantages and potential hurdles for achieving a practical application for the specific immunopentiator

The induction of antigen-specific immune responses after in vivo transfection with expression plasmids has triggered a revolution of vaccine research. After a first hype, evoked by the fascinating options of this method, clinical studies did not reach the ambitious aims and a phase of disillusion ensued. It became obvious that Gene vaccines displayed a weaker immunogenicity in humans than had been observed in the mouse models. Meanwhile these hurdles have been overcome and gene vaccines undergo a renaissance. The present book gives an update of the “world of naked gene vaccines”, namely DNA and RNA vaccines. Its content ranges from general mechanisms, inherent immunostimulatory properties and the vast potential to modulate immune responses, to recent successful clinical studies and approved veterinary gene vaccines. Beyond the state-of-the-art of genetic immunization, the reader will be stimulated with a chapter addressing “burning questions”.

Volumes for 1956- include selected papers from the proceedings of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Equine Neurology, Second Edition provides a fully updated new edition of the only equine-specific neurology book, with comprehensive, clinically oriented information. Offers a complete clinical reference to neurologic conditions in equine patients Takes a problem-based approach to present a clinically oriented perspective Presents new chapters on imaging the nervous system, neuronal physiology, sleep disorders, head shaking, differential diagnosis of muscle trembling and weakness, and cervical articular process joint disease Covers the basic principles of neurology, clinical topics such as the initial exam, differentials, and neuropathology, and specific conditions and disorders Includes access to a companion website offering video clips demonstrating presenting signs

During the past decades, with the introduction of the recombinant DNA, hybridoma and transgenic technologies there has been an exponential evolution in understanding the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of a large number of human diseases. The technologies are evident with the development of cytokines and monoclonal antibodies as therapeutic agents and the techniques used in gene therapy. Immunopharmacology is that area of biomedical sciences where immunology, pharmacology and pathology overlap. It concerns the pharmacological approach to the immune response in physiological as well as pathological events. This goals and objectives of this textbook are to emphasize the developments in immunology and pharmacology as they relate to the modulation of immune response. The information includes the pharmacology of cytokines, monoclonal antibodies, mechanism of action of immune-suppressive agents and their relevance in tissue transplantation, therapeutic strategies for the treatment of AIDS and the techniques employed in gene therapy. The book is intended for health care professional students and graduate students in pharmacology and immunology.