Frequency of the severe combined immunodeficiency disease gene among horses in Morocco

Equine Vet J. 2008 Sep;40(6):590-1. doi: 10.2746/042516408x333001.

Abstract

Severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID) of horses is an autosomal, recessive hereditary disease occurring among Arabian or crossbred Arabian horses. The genetic defect responsible was previously identified as a 5-base pair deletion in the gene encoding the catalytic subunit of the DNA dependant protein kinase (DNA-PKcs). This study was carried out to determine the frequency of SCID and identify horses carrying the gene for SCID among Arabian and Arabian crossbred stallions and mares in Morocco using a DNA-based test. Twenty-one horses were SCID carriers: 14 (7%) Arabians, 6 (4%) Arab-Barbs and one (33%) Anglo-Arab. After analysing their genealogy, 3 imported stallions were identified that disseminated the mutant gene of DNA-PKcs in Morocco.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Breeding*
  • DNA-Activated Protein Kinase
  • Female
  • Gene Frequency / genetics*
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
  • Horse Diseases / genetics*
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Morocco / epidemiology
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics*
  • Severe Combined Immunodeficiency / diagnosis
  • Severe Combined Immunodeficiency / genetics
  • Severe Combined Immunodeficiency / veterinary*

Substances

  • DNA-Activated Protein Kinase
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases