Foal immunodeficiency syndrome (FIS)
Summary
Foal Immunodeficiency Syndrome (FIS) is a fatal inherited disorder that has been found in pure and part-bred Fell Ponies, Dales Ponies and Gypsy breeds. Foals with FIS are normal at birth, but within a few weeks develop severe anaemia and B-lymphopenia. If they are not euthenased they will die from the effects of opportunistic infections.
FIS is an autosomal recessive disorder. Autosomal disorders are equally likely to affect male or female horses, while "recessive" means that a horse needs to inherit the FIS mutation from both its sire and its dam to be affected.
Owners report that FIS carrier foals (those with one copy of the FIS mutation) develop severe foal scours, but can be treated and show no other obvious signs of a compromised immune system.
Gene or region and technical reference
Gene: SLC5A3 (causative). Reference: Fox-Clipsham et al. (2011)
Reported alleles
n. Test developed using manufactured DNA, animal controls.
FIS. Test developed using manufactured DNA, animal cases.
Panels: groups of tests that are often ordered together
This test is in the Gypsy health & colour panel.
