Download EqStim Immunostimulant Brochure

EqStim Benefits
Consistent performance
Microbial resistance can be a problem with antibiotics,
because these drugs typically have only one mode of action.
EqStim stimulates a multi-faceted attack by the horse’s own
immune system.
Flexible
EqStim’s recommended treatment regimen (one intravenous injection every three days for three injections) is the
optimal dosage schedule for complete immune stimulation.
However, depending on an individual horse’s response,
EqStim’s multi-dose therapy allows the veterinarian to
customize the patient’s care by amending the dose and
number of treatments.
Get out of the gate.
Stimulate.
Safe
EqStim does not employ any adjuvants (oil-based adjuvants
have been implicated in adverse side effects when administered intravenously). EqStim is safe to use in adult horses,
ponies, and foals.
As with any equine biological, in rare instances EqStim may
induce a mild, transient increase in body temperature, inappetance, and lethargy.
Cost Effective
Because EqStim enhances the horse’s first line of defense,
the immune system, and shortens the recovery period from
illness, there are substantial savings from the reduction in
use of expensive antibiotics, lost training time, and missed
performances.
References
1. Davis, Elizabeth G., DVM, DACVIM, et al. Increases in cytokine and antimicrobial peptide
gene expression in horses by immunomodulation with Propionibacterium acnes. Veterinary
Therapeutics. Volume 4, Number 1, Spring 2003, pp. 5-11.
2. Vail, Charles D., DVM, et al. Adjunct treatment of equine respiratory disease complex (ERDC)
with the Propionibacterium acnes immunostimulant, EqStim®. Journal of Equine Veterinary
Science, Volume 10, Number 6, November-December 1990, pp. 399-400, 402-403.
3. Evans, Dan R., DVM, et al. Inactivated Propionibacterium acnes (ImmunoRegulin®) as adjunct to conventional therapy in the treatment of equine respiratory diseases. Equine Practice,
Volumn 10, Number 6, June 1998, pp. 17-21.
4. Tizard, Ian, PhD, BVMS, MRCVS, et al. Round-table discussion (37th annual AAEP meeting, Dec 1-4, 1991) EqStim® immunostimulant. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science,
Volumn 12, Number 4, 1992, pp. 209-214.
5. Nestved, Arthur, DVM. Evaluation of an immunostimulant in preventing shipping stress related respiratory disease. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. Volumn 16, Number 2, 1996,
pp. 78- 82.
6. Rohrbach, Barton W., VMD, MPH, DACVPM, et al. Effects of adjunctive treatment with
intravenously administered Propionibacterium acnes on reproductive performance in mares
with persistent endometritis. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Volumn 231, Number 1, July 1 2007, pp. 107-13.
7. Flaminio MJ, et al. Immunologic function in horses after non-specific immunostimulant administration. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, Volumn 63, Number 4, 1998,
pp. 303-15.
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www.neogen.com • e-mail: [email protected]
© 2008, Neogen Corporation. Neogen, EqStim and ImmunoRegulin are registered trademarks of
Neogen Corporation, Lansing, Mich.
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EqStim®
Immunostimulant
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ANIMAL SAFETY SOLUTIONS
Product Description
EqStim & ERDC
EqStim® is an immune stimulant, labeled as an adjunct therapy to antibiotics in the treatment of equine respiratory disease
complex (ERDC). EqStim’s active ingredient is a whole cell inactivated bacterium, Propionibacterium acnes, which is a proven
potent stimulator of innate immunity. When EqStim is administered via IV, it is rapidly removed from the bloodstream by
macrophages in the liver, lungs, and spleen. These macrophages
engulf (phagocytize) P. acnes and “turn on” the immune system
by producing interferons and interleukins (cytokines), stimulating natural killer cells, and activating T-lymphocytes.
EqStim & Equine Respiratory Disease Complex (ERDC)
Immunotherapy
Unlike antibiotics and vaccines, which target specific ERDC
causal agents, an immune stimulant activates a non-specific immune response to target many agents that a horse’s immune
system may recognize as a threat. Because of this rapid and general response, immunotherapy is a valuable addition to standard
treatments for both bacterial and viral ERDC organisms. The
use of an immune stimulant, either prophylactically or before
an infection becomes fully established, can reduce the severity of
clinical illness, the likelihood of tissue damage (e.g. lungs), and
the spread of disease, which ultimately shortens the horse’s recovery time.
Years of investigation support effectiveness
Since its first use nearly 20 years ago, numerous research articles
have been written, describing the diverse benefits of P. acnes and
demonstrating that P. acnes is safe and effective in the treatment
of ERDC. Clinical trials2,3 of respiratory disease in horses confirm that including P. acnes with antibiotic therapy significantly
increases the degree of improvement and the number of complete recoveries when compared to antibiotic treatment alone.
One study2 showed horses diagnosed with ERDC and treated with
both P. acnes and antibiotics had a 96% response rate, compared
to a 35% response rate for horses treated with antibiotics alone.
Insight into the mechanism of immunity
Recent studies1,7 by researchers at the Kansas State University
College of Veterinary Medicine investigated the
mechanism of immunity to P. acnes. Results of these studies indicate that CD4+
T-lymphocyte concentration, lymphokine
activated killer cell activity, and macrophage
phagocytic activity increases through
amplified IFN-γ and NK-lysin gene
expression. Earlier findings revealed
that IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α, cytokines essential for proper helper
T-lymphocyte function, are also
released by macrophages activated
within a few hours of P. acnes administration4.
While several viruses have been identified as causes of equine
respiratory disease complex, the clinical signs and consequences are similar: cough, fever, nasal discharge, enlarged lymph
nodes, loss of appetite, lethargy, slow recovery from exertion,
and missed training.
Even before clinical signs of ERDC fully appear, the effects of
reduced respiratory function may be apparent in a horse’s performance. Therefore, it is imperative to promptly treat a horse
at the first indication of respiratory compromise. Competition
horses placed at increased risk for ERDC due to frequent, lengthy
transportation, busy show environments, exposure to large numbers of other horses, and other stressful situations may be treated
prophylactically. If neglected, ERDC can escalate into secondary
bacterial lung infections that may result in chronic problems and
permanent damage to the horse’s respiratory tract.
What causes ERDC?
Common causes of ERDC include:
[[ Equine herpesvirus (rhinopneumonitis)
[[ Equine influenza virus
[[ Equine arteritis virus
[[ Equine adenovirus
Common secondary bacterial infections:
[[ Streptococcus zooepidemicus
[[ Streptococcus equi (strangles)
[[ Rhodococcus equi
Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria, and
viruses all contribute to ERDC. Can EqStim be used
regardless of the causative agent?
EqStim should not be confused with vaccines, which typically
produce a pathogen-specific antibody response. EqStim generates
a general, non-specific immune response, and is therefore effective against Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria, and
viral pathogens.
Further Reading
Studies5,6 are available for review pertaining to EqStim use in
mares with persistent endometritis, as well as prophylactic use
in performance horses shipped over long distances.
Nestved, Arthur, DVM. Evaluation of an immunostimulant in preventing
shipping stress related respiratory disease. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. Volumn 16, Number 2, 1996, pp. 78- 82.
Rohrbach, Barton W., VMD, MPH, DACVPM, et al. Effects of adjunctive treatment with intravenously administered Propionibacterium acnes on
reproductive performance in mares with persistent endometritis. Journal
of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Volumn 231, Number 1,
July 1 2007, pp. 107-13.
For copies of these articles, please contact Neogen at 800/525-2022
or [email protected].