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Topic:Clinical Pathology
Clinical pathology in horses involves the study and analysis of biological samples to diagnose and monitor diseases and health conditions. This discipline encompasses various laboratory tests and procedures that assess the physiological and biochemical status of equines. Common analyses include hematology, biochemistry, urinalysis, and cytology, each providing insights into different aspects of equine health. Hematology evaluates blood components, such as red and white blood cells and platelets, to identify conditions like anemia or infection. Biochemistry tests measure enzymes, electrolytes, and metabolites to assess organ function and metabolic status. Urinalysis examines urine samples for indicators of renal function and systemic diseases. Cytology involves the microscopic examination of cells from tissues or fluids to detect abnormalities. This page aggregates peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the methodologies, applications, and diagnostic value of clinical pathology in equine medicine.
Intrafollicular treatment with prostaglandins PGE2 and PGF2α inhibits the formation of luteinised unruptured follicles and restores normal ovulation in mares treated with flunixin-meglumine. Haemorrhagic anovulatory follicle is the most common pathological anovulatory condition in the mare, but its cause remains unknown. An experimental model to induce luteinised unruptured follicles (LUF) with flunixin-meglumine (FM) has been developed. Luteinised unruptured follicles share similar morphological and hormonal characteristics with haemorrhagic anovulatory follicles. Objective: To test the effect of intrafollicular administration of prostaglandins PGE2 and PGF2α during the periovulatory period on ovulation and pregnancy in FM-treated mares. Methods: In vivo experiment in a crossove...
Effects of cycle stage and sampling procedure on interpretation of endometrial cytology in mares. The aim of this study was to ascertain if (1) the stage of reproductive cycle influences cytological results, (2) cytology obtained from an endometrial biopsy is more accurate than cytology derived using the cytobrush, and (3) different methods used for evaluation of cytological samples produce similar diagnostic results. Material was collected from 46 mares in estrus, 48 in diestrus and from 33 mares in anestrus. Smears were evaluated using two criteria. In criterion I, a total of 300cells were counted and the percentage of polymorphonuclear cells was recorded. In criterion II, the number of ...
Evaluation of contact activation of citrated equine whole blood during storage and effects of contact activation on results of recalcification-initiated thromboelastometry. To evaluate the degree of activation of the contact pathway in citrated equine whole blood over holding times ≤ 30 minutes and assess effects of contact activation on recalcification-initiated thromboelastometry. Methods: 11 healthy adult mixed-breed horses. Methods: Blood was collected by atraumatic jugular venipuncture into prewarmed evacuated siliconized glass tubes containing citrate anticoagulant and held at 37°C for ≤ 30 minutes. Thromboelastometry was performed with an in vitro viscoelasticity (thromboelastometry) monitoring system. Factor XII and factor XI procoagulant activities ...
Pharmacokinetics of pergolide after intravenous administration to horses. To determine the pharmacokinetics of pergolide after IV administration to horses. Methods: 8 healthy adult horses. Methods: Pergolide mesylate was administered IV at a dose of 20 μg/kg (equivalent to 15.2 μg of pergolide/kg) to each horse, and blood samples were collected over 48 hours. Pergolide concentrations in plasma were determined by means of high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and pharmacokinetic parameters were determined on the basis of noncompartmental methods. Results: After IV administration of pergolide, mean ± SD clearance, elimination half-life, a...
Influence of disease process and duration on acute phase proteins in serum and peritoneal fluid of horses with colic. The acute phase proteins (APP) serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin, and fibrinogen are valuable blood biomarkers in equine inflammatory diseases, but knowledge of factors influencing their concentrations in blood and peritoneal fluid (PF) of horses with colic is needed. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of demographics (age, sex, breed), disease process (simple obstruction, strangulating obstruction, inflammatory), disease location, disease duration, hypovolemia, and admission hospital on concentrations of APP, lactate and white blood cell counts (WBC) in h...
A commercially available immunoglobulin E-based test for food allergy gives inconsistent results in healthy ponies. Commercial immunoglobulin E (IgE)-based tests are available for diagnosis of food allergies and are commonly used in equine practice. However, these tests have been proven unreliable as a screening method in man and other species, but not critically evaluated in equids. Therefore, a commercially available IgE-based test for horses was evaluated. Objective: To evaluate the consistency of the results obtained with a commercially available IgE-based test for food allergy diagnosis in ponies (Phase I) and to subject ponies to a provocation trial with the presumed allergens (Phase II). Methods: All...
Serum thymidine kinase activity in clinically healthy and diseased horses: a potential marker for lymphoma. Serum thymidine kinase (sTK) activity is a tumour marker used as a prognostic indicator for lymphoma in humans, dogs and cats. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical utility of sTK as a biomarker for lymphoma in horses. Serum samples were collected from clinically normal horses (n = 37), horses with lymphoma (n = 23), horses with non-haematopoietic neoplasia (n = 9) and horses with inflammatory disease (n = 14). sTK was measured using a radioenzyme assay. A reference cut-off value of <2.7 U/L (mean + 2 standard deviations, SDs) was established using data fro...
Efficacy of gamithromycin for the treatment of foals with mild to moderate bronchopneumonia. Gamithromycin is active in vitro against the bacterial agents most commonly associated with bronchopneumonia in older foals. However, the clinical efficacy and safety of this drug have not been investigated. Objective: Gamithromycin is effective for the treatment of bronchopneumonia in foals. Methods: One hundred and twenty-one foals on a farm endemic for infections caused by Rhodococcus equi. Methods: In a controlled, randomized, and double blinded clinical trial, foals with ultrasonographic evidence of pulmonary abscesses (abscess score 8.0-20 cm) were randomly allocated in 3 treatment group...
Brainstem auditory evoked responses in foals: reference values, effect of age, rate of acoustic stimulation, and neurologic deficits. Age and rate of acoustic stimulation affect peak latencies in brainstem auditory evoked responses (BAER) in humans. Those effects are unknown in foals. Objective: Our goals were to (1) establish reference values for BAER in foals by using 3 different stimulation protocols, (2) evaluate the effects of age and stimulation frequencies on BAER tracing in foals up to 6 months old, and (3) compare the data with BAER obtained from foals with central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Methods: Thirty-nine neurologically normal foals and 16 foals with neurologic diseases. Methods: Prospective observationa...
Cardiac troponin I as compared to troponin T for the detection of myocardial damage in horses. Different cardiac troponin I (cTnI) assays give different results. Only 1 manufacturer has marketed troponin T (cTnT) assays. Therefore, cTnT often is preferred for detection of myocardial infarction in human patients. Studies of cTnT in horses are limited. Objective: To compare a cTnI and a high-sensitive cTnT assay (hs-cTnT) in horses. Methods: Cardiac troponin I and cTnT were determined in 35 healthy horses (group 1), 23 horses suspected to have primary myocardial damage (group 2a), and 41 horses with secondary myocardial damage caused by structural heart disease (group 2b). Methods: All cT...
Equine bone marrow volume reduction, red blood cell depletion, and mononuclear cell recovery using the PrepaCyte-CB processing system. Volume reduction and RBC depletion of equine bone marrow specimens are necessary processing steps for the immediate therapeutic use of bone marrow (BM)-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), and for MSC expansion in culture. Objective: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the ability of the PrepaCyte-CB processing system to reduce volume, deplete RBC, and recover mononuclear cells (MNC) from equine BM specimens. Methods: One hundred and twenty mL of heparinized BM were obtained from each of 90 horses. A CBC was performed on the BM pre- and post-PrepaCyte-CB processing. Volume and RBC reduct...
Novel localization of peripherin 2, the photoreceptor-specific retinal degeneration slow protein, in retinal pigment epithelium. Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) builds the outer blood-retinal barrier of the eye. Since one typical feature of the autoimmune disease, equine recurrent uveitis (ERU), is the breakdown of this barrier, we recently performed comparative analysis of healthy and uveitic RPE. We identified for the first time peripherin 2, which is responsible for visual perception and retina development, to be localized in RPE. The purpose of this study was therefore to validate our findings by characterizing the expression patterns of peripherin 2 in RPE and retina. We also investigated whether peripherin 2 expr...
Theileria equi isolates vary in susceptibility to imidocarb dipropionate but demonstrate uniform in vitro susceptibility to a bumped kinase inhibitor. The apicomplexan hemoparasite Theileria equi is a causative agent of equine piroplasmosis, eradicated from the United States in 1988. However, recent outbreaks have sparked renewed interest in treatment options for infected horses. Imidocarb dipropionate is the current drug of choice, however variation in clinical response to therapy has been observed. Methods: We quantified the in vitro susceptibility of two T. equi isolates and a lab generated variant to both imidocarb dipropionate and a bumped kinase inhibitor compound 1294. We also evaluated the capacity of in vitro imidocarb dipropionate ...
Identifying behavioural differences in working donkeys in response to analgesic administration. To identify pain-related behaviour in working donkeys in order to assist their owners and veterinarians to recognise and manage pain. Objective: To identify general and specific behaviours associated with pain or its relief using a trial with the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug meloxicam (Metacam). Methods: Observer-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Methods: Forty adult male working donkeys with common clinical abnormalities were randomly assigned to receive either a single loading dose of meloxicam (1.2 mg/kg bwt per os; n = 20) or a placebo (30 mg honey/250 ml water per os; n = 20...
Effects of low-dose G-CSF formulation on hematology in healthy horses after long-distance transportation. The present study evaluated the effects of single-dose filgrastim on hematology in 16 healthy horses after long-distance transportation. Horses were assigned to receive filgrastim (0.23 µg/kg, SC, once; G-CSF group; n=8) or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (0.3 ml, SC, once; control group; n=8) ≤ 1 hr before transportation. Horses were transported 2,530 km using commercial vans over the course of approximately 44 hr. Clinical examinations and hematologic analyses were performed on all horses before and after transportation. Because the post-transportation white blood cell counts and bacillary ne...
Update on diseases and treatment of the pharynx. This article reviews dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) and nasopharyngeal cicatrix. Palatial instability results in exercise intolerance and upper respiratory noise in performance horses. Palatial instability can progress to DDSP either permanently or only during exercise. There have been advancements related to the etiopathogensis, diagnosis, and treatment of DDSP. The laryngeal tie-forward has gained popularity and is the most widely accepted treatment option for this condition, either alone or in combination with other procedures. Nasopharyngeal cicatrix affects a small geograph...
Plasma cholinesterase activity of rats, western grey kangaroos, alpacas, sheep, cattle, and horses. Plasma cholinesterase activity levels of various species may be of interest to toxicologists or pathologists working with chemicals that interfere with the activity of plasma cholinesterase. Methods: We used a pH titration method to measure the plasma cholinesterase activity of six mammalian species. Results: Plasma cholinesterase activity varied up to 50-fold between species: sheep (88 ± 45 nM acetylcholine degraded per ml of test plasma per minute), cattle (94 ± 35), western grey kangaroos (126 ± 92), alpaca (364 ± 70), rats (390 ± 118) and horses (4539 ± 721). Conclusions: We present ...
Pharmacokinetics and effects on thromboxane B2 production following intravenous administration of flunixin meglumine to exercised thoroughbred horses. Flunixin meglumine is commonly used in horses for the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries. The current ARCI threshold recommendation is 20 ng/mL when administered at least 24 h prior to race time. In light of samples exceeding the regulatory threshold at 24 h postadministration, the primary goal of the study reported here was to update the pharmacokinetics of flunixin following intravenous administration, utilizing a highly sensitive liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). An additional objective was to characterize the effects of flunixin on COX-1 and COX-2 inhibition when drug con...
A field investigation into a suspected outbreak of pyrrolizidine alkaloid toxicosis in horses in western Queensland. A disease outbreak investigation was conducted in western Queensland to investigate a rare suspected outbreak of pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) toxicosis in horses. Thirty five of 132 horses depastured on five properties on the Mitchell grass plains of western Queensland died in the first six months of 2010. Clinical-pathological findings were consistent with PA toxicosis. A local variety of Crotalaria medicaginea was the only hepatotoxic plant found growing on affected properties. Pathology reports and departure and arrival dates of two brood mares provided evidence of a pre wet season exposure ...
Presumed primary ocular lymphangiosarcoma with metastasis in a miniature horse. A 7-year-old, 153.0-kg American Miniature mare presented for evaluation of keratoconjunctivitis of the right eye (OD). A superior palpebral conjunctival mass and stromal keratitis were diagnosed. The incisional biopsy diagnosis was a presumptive corneal hemangiosarcoma. Transpalpebral enucleation was performed, and histopathologic evaluation confirmed angiosarcoma of the conjunctiva, cornea, and extraocular muscles. The horse developed progressive epistaxis and orbital swelling following surgery. A systemic workup was performed 3 months after enucleation, revealing regrowth within the orbit an...
Mastitis in a neonatal filly. Neonatal mastitis is a rare occurrence in the horse. This report documents a case of mastitis caused by an organism within the Streptococcus dysgalactiae group in a 1-week-old Paint filly. Un cas de mastite chez une pouliche nouveau-née. La mastite est une maladie rare chez les pouliches nouveau-nées. Ce rapport documente un cas de la mastite causé par un organisme du groupe Streptococcus dysgalactiae qui se présente dans une pouliche Paint á l’âge de sept jours et discute la litérature pertinente au sujet de la mastite des nouveau-nés.(Traduit par les auteurs).
Is there an association between clinical features, response to diagnostic analgesia and radiological findings in horses with a magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis of navicular disease or other injuries of the podotrochlear apparatus? Previous descriptions of the clinical features of navicular disease occurred before the widespread use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allowed a more definitive diagnosis of foot pain. The objective of this study was to compare the clinical features of horses with lesions of the podotrochlear apparatus with those with other causes of foot pain. It was hypothesised that primary navicular bone disease would be associated with more advanced radiological findings than other diagnoses. A retrospective study was performed of all horses examined at a referral centre with a definitive diagnosis of...
Inhibition of platelet function with clopidogrel, as measured with a novel whole blood impedance aggregometer in horses. This study aimed to validate a loading and maintenance clopidogrel dosing scheme for the inhibition of platelet function, measured by whole blood impedance aggregometry in healthy adult horses. Ten Warmblood horses received oral clopidogrel once daily. Doses were based on 50 kg weight categories and resulted in one loading dose of 6-6.5 mg/kg bodyweight and maintenance doses of 1.2-1.4 mg/kg over the next 4 days. Platelet function was measured via whole blood multiple electrode impedance aggregometry prior to (T0) and at 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, 144, 192 and 240 h following the loading d...
