Effects of nebulized dexamethasone on the respiratory microbiota and mycobiota and relative equine herpesvirus-1, 2, 4, 5 in an equine model of asthma

Abstract

Background: Prolonged exposure to environmental antigens or allergens elicits an immune response in both healthy horses and those with mild asthma. Corticosteroids often are used to treat lower airway inflammation. Objective: To investigate the changes in equine herpesvirus (EHV)-1,2,4,5 glycoprotein B gene expression and changes in respiratory bacterial and fungal communities after nebulized dexamethasone treatment of horses with asthma. Animals: Horses with naturally occurring mild asthma (n = 16) and healthy control horses (n = 4). Methods: Prospective, randomized, controlled, blinded clinical trial. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of EHV-1,2,4,5 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, a..