Effect of Long-Term Fluticasone Treatment on Immune Function in Horses with Heaves

The study from 2011 examined the impact of long-term inhaled fluticasone treatment on the immune function of 10 horses with heaves, a chronic respiratory condition. Over an 11-month period, 5 horses received fluticasone and 5 underwent only environmental modifications. The researchers measured various immune parameters, including blood counts, lymphocyte subpopulations, neutrophil gene expression, and immune responses to vaccination. The results indicated that fluticasone treatment did not lead to clinical adverse effects or significant changes in immune function, suggesting that such treatment does not compromise the systemic immune response in adult horses with heaves.