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==Diagnosis==
 
==Diagnosis==
Diagnosis may not be straightforward as the clinical signs may resemble those of many other infections occurring in foals. The antemortem diagnosis of SCID is usually based on three criteria; a) a persistent lymphopaenia (occurring over 1-2 weeks) with less than 1000 lymphocytes per ml, b) a lack of serum IgM in foals over four weeks of age and c) lymphoid hypoplasia. Affected foals may also develop [[Anaemia - Introduction|anaemia]] late in the course of the disease.  
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Diagnosis may not be straightforward as the clinical signs may resemble those of many other infections occurring in foals. The antemortem diagnosis of SCID is usually based on three criteria; a) a persistent lymphopaenia (occurring over 1-2 weeks) with less than 1000 lymphocytes per ml, b) a lack of serum IgM in foals over four weeks of age and c) lymphoid hypoplasia. Affected foals may also develop [[Regenerative and Non-Regenerative Anaemias|anaemia]] late in the course of the disease.  
    
The '''intradermal phytohemagglutinin (PHA) test''' may be used as a test for immunocompetence and assesses T lymphocyte function. It can be performed in foals of all ages as the test is not affected by maternal antibodies. Intradermal PHA causes a [[Type IV Hypersensitivity|delayed hypersensitivity]] reaction, resulting in a skin swelling. A foal suffering from SCID fails to respond to intradermal PHA.  
 
The '''intradermal phytohemagglutinin (PHA) test''' may be used as a test for immunocompetence and assesses T lymphocyte function. It can be performed in foals of all ages as the test is not affected by maternal antibodies. Intradermal PHA causes a [[Type IV Hypersensitivity|delayed hypersensitivity]] reaction, resulting in a skin swelling. A foal suffering from SCID fails to respond to intradermal PHA.  
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