Feasibility of infrared spectroscopy with pattern recognition techniques to identify a subpopulation of mares at risk of producing foals diagnosed with failure of transfer of passive immunity.

Objective: To assess the feasibility of a serum-based test using infrared spectroscopy to identify a subpopulation of mares at risk of producing foals susceptible to failure of passive transfer of immunity (FPT) because of mare-associated factors.

Materials And Methods: Serum was collected from post-parturient mares (n = 126) and their foals at 24-72 h of age. A radial immunodiffusion IgG test was used to determine each foal's serum IgG concentration.

Use of Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy for the diagnosis of failure of transfer of passive immunity and measurement of immunoglobulin concentrations in horses.

Background: The economic, accurate, and rapid screening of foals for failure of transfer of passive immunity (FPT) is essential to ensure timely intervention.

Hypothesis: Infrared (IR) spectroscopy of foal sera and pattern recognition may be used to diagnose FPT and quantify serum IgG.

Samples: Sera from 194 foals (24-72 hours) with serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations determined previously by radial immunodiffusion assay (RID) were used.

Laminar fluid diffusion interface preconditioning of serum and urine for reagent-free infrared clinical analysis and diagnostics.

A number of reagent-free infrared spectroscopic diagnostic and analytical methods have been established previously making use of dry biofluid films. For example, this approach has successfully measured high concentration analytes of serum and urine. However, a number of low concentration diagnostically relevant analytes presently elude detection by infrared spectroscopy.