Pythium Associated Respiratory Disease

In the clinical trials of the Pythium Immunotherapy product some horses which presented with Pythium lesion also had a history of chronic nasopharyngeal inflammation (CNI), respiratory insufficiency (Roaring) and cicatrix formation. When these animals were treated with the experimental Pythium immunotherapy the nasopharyngeal inflammation and respiratory distress were resolved. Subsequently Pythium serology tests were performed on several horses with a history of CNI, and respiratory distress but no apparent Pythium lesions. Most of these horses returned a positive Pythium test and showed very significant clinical improvement when treated with Pythium Immunotherapy.

To date some 100 horses with this symptomology have been tested and treated with the Pythium Immunotherapeutic product and >90% have responded with diminished or resolved clinical symptoms. Additionally, many of the treated horses have shown greatly improved findings when comparing pre and post treatment endoscopic exams. Many of these horses had significant breathing problems and some had been fitted with tracheal tubes to in order to be able to breath. Our current thought on the mechanism for Pythium/cicatrix relation is that affected animals have a cell mediated allergy to Pythium. Eating infected grass releases the Pythium antigens in the throat region and induces a chronic allergic irritation which leads to thickening and scarring of the trachea, epiglottis and associated tissues. Treatment with Pythium Immunotherapy injections converts the patient’s TH2 (allergic) response to TH1 (non allergic) thus resolving the problem.