Topic:Diagnosis
Diagnosis in horses involves the systematic identification of diseases and conditions affecting equine health. This process relies on a combination of clinical evaluations, laboratory tests, imaging techniques, and other diagnostic tools to assess the health status of horses. Veterinarians utilize these methods to identify symptoms, determine the underlying causes of health issues, and formulate appropriate treatment plans. Diagnostic procedures in equine medicine can include blood tests, ultrasound, radiography, endoscopy, and more specialized tests such as genetic screening or advanced imaging modalities like MRI and CT scans. This page aggregates peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore various diagnostic techniques, their applications, and advancements in the field of equine veterinary medicine.
Haemato-biochemical characterization of equine piroplasmosis asymptomatic carriers and seropositive, real-time PCR negative horses. Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is caused by Theileria equi and Babesia caballi, transmitted by tick vectors. Horses can suffer an acute, subacute, and chronic forms of the disease, with clinical signs such as poor performance, fever, pale mucosal membranes, and jaundice. The diagnosis of EP subclinical cases is complex due to the sensitivity of real-time PCR and the limited parasite load in some carriers, making it challenging to differentiate them from seropositive, PCR negative (S+PCR-) individuals. This study aimed to describe haematological and biochemical changes in asymptomatic EP carriers, E...
Environmental risk factors for UV-induced cutaneous neoplasia in horses: A GIS approach. Ultraviolet light (UV) is a risk factor for the development of cutaneous neoplasia in many mammalian species. This study evaluated UV exposure as a risk factor of concern for the development of cutaneous neoplasia in equine species due to the significant UV exposure that may accrue over their lifetimes. Neoplastic biopsy specimens from 3272 horses that were submitted over a 10-year period to the Colorado State University Diagnostic Medicine Center and to the University of Saskatchewan Western College of Veterinary Medicine and Prairie Diagnostic Services were evaluated. This retrospective stud...
A retrospective study of equine perinatal loss in Canada (2007 to 2020). This study aims to identify the most common causes of equine perinatal loss up to 7 d of age in Canada. Equine. Necropsy reports from 360 equine perinatal loss cases were acquired from provincial veterinary diagnostic labs across Canada. Each case was classified into a basic cause (noninfectious, infectious, or unidentified) of perinatal loss, then further classified into primary and secondary categories for analysis. Of the basic causes of perinatal loss, noninfectious causes were the most common. Bacterial causes, such as septicemia, were the most common primary diagnosis overall. was the m...
Desmitis of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon in the forelimb: A retrospective case study of 91 horses. Desmitis of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (ALDDFT) is a commonly reported injury. Despite the commonality of this injury, the literature is limited to small case series, with the reported success following treatment varying from 18% to 75%. Objective: To identify the prognosis and factors associated with a return to work following ALDDFT injury. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Medical records of horses from four equine hospitals (January 2000 and December 2018) with a diagnosis of desmitis of ALDDFT were reviewed. Data retrieved included case detail, use...
Evaluation of glutaraldehyde coagulation test and colostrum BRIX refractometer compared with SNAP foal IgG test in neonatal foals. Prompt diagnosis of passive transfer failure in the neonatal period is important for early treatment. Objective: To compare the diagnostic performance of serum glutaraldehyde coagulation test (GCT) and colostrum BRIX% for failure to transfer passive immunity (FTPI) diagnosis with the results of SNAP foal test and to evaluate the results of serum GCT and colostrum BRIX% measurements in foals with diarrhoea in the 0-1 month period. Methods: In vitro experiments. Methods: Excess serum and colostrum (n: 298) from samples collected from newborn foals and their dams for clinical purposes were used...
Successful intra-abdominal resection of a 24 kg ovarian granulosa cell tumor in a Warmblood mare. Granulosa cell tumors (GCTs) are the most common ovarian tumors in mares. The classical presentation of a GCT is a unilaterally enlarged ovary appearing as a multicystic honeycomb mass. In rare cases, GCTs cause hemoperitoneum as a result of the rapid growth of the tumor. The clinical diagnosis of GCT is usually based on history, rectal examination, ultrasonographic examination, and serum hormone analysis, and surgical removal of the affected ovary is the treatment of choice. The different surgical approaches are based on the dimension of the GCT. A 7-year-old mare was referred to the departme...
Diagnosis of equine endocrinopathies: The value of measuring blood glucose during an oral glucose test. Blood glucose concentration is often measured during an oral glucose test (OGT), but is not thought to aid in diagnosing insulin dysregulation (ID) or pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate whether the change in blood glucose concentration during an OGT aligned with indicators of equine metabolic syndrome or PPID, including serum insulin and plasma ACTH concentrations, clinical observations, age, sex, breed type and the test dose. The cohort included 149 horses, miniature horses, and ponies that had undergone an in-feed OGT and clin...
Severe Neurologic Disease in a Horse Caused by Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus, Austria, 2021. As evidenced by sero-epidemiological studies, infections of horses with the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) occur frequently in TBEV-endemic areas. However, there are only very few reports of clinical cases. A possible underreporting may be due to a variety of diagnostic challenges. In this study, ELISA and neutralization tests were applied to serum samples. Brain tissue samples were investigated for the presence of nucleic acids of TBEV, Equid alphaherpesvirus 1, Borna disease virus 1, West Nile and Usutu viruses, rustrela virus, as well as Eastern, Western, and Venezuelan equine encepha...
Widespread prevalence of Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis detected in German Icelandic horse population: impact of anamnestic factors on etiology. To compare anamnestic factors in Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis (EOTRH) in affected and nonaffected horses to detect risk factors for horses developing EOTRH. A total of 154 Icelandic horses, aged 15 years and older, examined at 22 locations in Lower Saxony, Germany. The investigations took place from October 2020 to December 2021. Anamnestic data were collected using an owner-completed questionnaire. Horses underwent a thorough physical examination and CBC. The rostral oral cavity was clinically examined, and intraoral radiographs of the incisors were taken. Clinica...
Positron emission tomography assessment of metacarpal/metatarsal condylar fractures post surgical repair: Prospective study in 14 racehorses. To assess 18F-sodium fluoride (18F-NaF) positron emission tomography (PET) findings associated with metacarpal/metatarsal condylar fractures at the time of fracture repair and through healing. Methods: Prospective descriptive study. Methods: Fourteen Thoroughbred racehorses. Methods: 18F-NaF PET was performed within 4 days of surgical metacarpal/metatarsal condylar fracture repair, on both the injured and contralateral limb. Follow-up PET scans were offered at 3- and 5-months post fracture repair. Areas of abnormal uptake were assessed using a previously validated grading system. Results: Ei...
Equine non-septic tenosynovitis: A systematic literature review of site-specific pathological lesions, outcomes and surgical complications. Non-septic tenosynovitis is a clinically relevant and often performance limiting musculoskeletal injury in the horse. Objective: To review the published literature to determine which tendon sheaths are commonly affected by non-septic tenosynovitis and to describe the most frequently reported pathological lesions, outcomes, and surgical complications in equine non-septic tenosynovitis. Methods: Systematic review. Methods: Literature searches were conducted in July 2021 from the online search engines PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science Core, VetMed Resource and ProQuest Theses & Dissertations. Th...
MicroRNAs in equine Endometritis: A review of pathophysiology and molecular insights for diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Endometritis plays an important role in mare infertility. Certain infectious agents interfere with the innate immune system of endometrium, causing a systemic inflammatory response that lasts for a long time and circulates via the blood or cellular degeneration, leading to endometritis due to bacterial endotoxins. Different small, non-coding RNA molecules are involved in many biological functions. For instance, microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. These miRNAs are important regulators of gene expression, primarily via inhibiting transcripti...
Evaluation of the hoof centre-of-pressure path in horses affected by chronic osteoarthritic pain. The Centre of Pressure (COP) is the single point summarising all forces transferred to the hoof during the stance phase of a stride. COP path (COPp) is the trajectory that COP follows from footstrike to lift-off. Aim of the present study was to characterize the COP and COPp in horses affected by osteoarthritis and chronic lameness. Seventeen adult horses with a diagnosis of osteoarthritis and single limb chronic lameness were recruited. The COP was recorded using a wireless pressure measuring system (TekScan®) with sensors taped to the hooves (either fore- or hind limb, depending on lameness ...
Computed tomographic imaging and surgical management of distal insertional avulsion fragments of the caudal cruciate ligament in four horses. To describe cases with caudal cruciate ligament (CdCL) avulsion fragments diagnosed based on computed tomography (CT) examination and report on arthroscopic fragment removal. Methods: Four Warmblood horses with hindlimb lameness and osseous fragments located in the caudal medial femorotibial joint (mFTJ). Methods: Short case series. Methods: CT and arthroscopic evaluation of the caudal mFTJ were performed. The caudal mFTJ and the insertion of the CdCL on the tibia were assessed and removal of the avulsion fragments was attempted in three horses using a cranial intercondylar approach. Results: ...
Development of multiplex gold nanoparticles biosensors for ultrasensitive detection and genotyping of equine herpes viruses. Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) biosensors can detect low viral loads and differentiate between viruses types, enabling early diagnosis and effective disease management. In the present study, we developed GNPs biosensors with two different capping agent, citrate-GNPs biosensors and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-GNPs biosensors for detection of EHV-1 and EHV-4 in multiplex real time PCR (rPCR). Citrate-GNPs and PVP-GNPs biosensors can detect dilution 10 of EHV-1 with mean Cycle threshold (Ct) 11.7 and 9.6, respectively and one copy as limit of detection, while citrate-GNPs and PVP-GNPs biosensors can de...
Recombinant Salmonella enterica OmpX protein expression and its potential for serologically diagnosing Salmonella abortion in mares. abortion in mares is caused by subspecies serovar infection and is characterized by premature (abortion) or non-viable fetus birth. Although all horses are susceptible to infection, the condition is more often clinically manifested in pregnant mares, with most abortions recorded in young females. In addition, nonspecific clinical disease signs and poorly sensitive and effective bacteriological diagnostic methods hinder rapid and reliable infection diagnoses. Immunochemical methods such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunochromatography assays can facilitate effective and...
Detection of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) in urine samples during outbreaks of equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy. Real-time PCR is the diagnostic technique of choice for the diagnosis and control of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) in an outbreak setting. The presence of EHV-1 in nasal swabs (NS), whole blood, brain and spinal cord samples has been extensively described; however, there are no reports on the excretion of EHV-1 in urine, its DNA detection patterns, and the role of urine in viral spread during an outbreak. Objective: To determine the presence of EHV-1 DNA in urine during natural infection and to compare the DNA detection patterns of EHV-1 in urine, buffy coat (BC) and NS. Methods: Descriptive st...
Diversity and functional prediction of fungal communities in different segments of mongolian horse gastrointestinal tracts. Anaerobic fungi are effective fibre-degrading microorganisms in the digestive tract of horses. However, our understanding of their diversity and community structure is limited, especially in different parts of the gastrointestinal tract. For the first time, high-throughput sequencing technology was used to analyse and predict fungal microbial diversity in different parts of the gastrointestinal tract of Mongolian horses. The results revealed that the richness and diversity of fungi in the hindgut of Mongolian horses were much higher than those in the foregut. The foregut was dominated by Basid...
Adaptation strategies of the Icelandic horse with induced forelimb lameness at walk, trot and tölt. Lameness assessment in the gaited Icelandic horse is complex. We aimed to describe their kinematic and temporal adaptation strategies in response to forelimb lameness at walk, trot and tölt. Methods: In vivo experiment. Methods: Ten clinically non-lame Icelandic horses were measured before and after reversible forelimb lameness induction. Upper body and limb kinematics were measured using 11 inertial measurement units mounted on the poll, withers, pelvis (tubera sacrale) and all four limbs and hoofs (Equimoves®, 500 Hz). Horses were measured on a straight line at walk and trot in-hand and ...
Sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy in animals: From experimental studies to echocardiography-based clinical research. The term "sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy" (SIC) is used to describe transient cardiac dysfunction in septic patients. However, there is no universally accepted definition of SIC; a reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is often used. In addition to systolic dysfunction, diastolic dysfunction is now recognized as an essential component of SIC. It can be emphasized that previous animal experiments played an essential role in revealing SIC and hemodynamic instability in sepsis and septic shock. The diagnostic and prognostic capabilities of echocardiography for the assessment of SI...
Visualizing neutrophil extracellular traps in septic equine synovial and peritoneal fluid samples using immunofluorescence microscopy. Septic synovitis and peritonitis are routinely diagnosed in horses based on clinical examination findings and laboratory assessment of synoviocentesis and abdominocentesis samples, respectively. Diagnosis is difficult in some cases because of an overlap in laboratory results for septic and non-septic inflammation. Neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation is part of the innate immune response against pathogens. Identifying and quantifying NETs, which have not been explored in clinical samples from horses with septic synovitis and peritonitis, to our knowledge, may be helpful in detecting i...
Systemic aspergillosis associated with acute enterocolitis in foals. Aspergillosis is an uncommon disease in horses, but it can be fatal. We report two cases of systemic aspergillosis in foals that occurred in a short period in the same region of southern Brazil. In addition, a literature review of similar cases was also performed. Risk factors were attributed to an immunodepression by primary enterocolitis and corticosteroid treatment, the damage in the epithelium, and multiple antibacterial treatments, which allowed local fungal proliferation, tissue invasion and spread of infection, leading to death. Since the antemortem diagnosis of aspergillosis in foals i...
First identification and characterization of ovine gammaherpesvirus type 2 in horses and artiodactyla from an outbreak of malignant catarrhal fever in Mexico. Ovine gammaherpesvirus 2 (OvHV-2), a member of the genus Macavirus, causes sheep-associated malignant catarrhal fever (SA-MCF), a fatal lymphoproliferative disease affecting a wide variety of ungulates in addition to horses. This study described an outbreak of SA-MCF in Mexico and the identification of the OvHV-2 virus in primary rabbit testis cultures through the generation of intranuclear inclusion bodies, syncytia, immunofluorescence (IF), immunocytochemistry (ICC), immunohistochemistry (IHC), endpoint polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and partial sequencing of the ORF75 gene. The animals in...
Identification of Burkholderia mallei Isolates with Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism. Burkholderia mallei is the main cause of glanders as a dangerous contagious zoonosis disease that is mostly observed in single-hoofed animals, especially horses. Modern molecular techniques have been recently employed to improve epidemiology for identifying and searching for strains of this bacterium at different times and locations. Due to the unknown number of circulating strains and lack of preventive methods, glanders is still observed in the form of epidemics. The present study aimed to evaluate six field isolates plus two laboratory strains of Borkolderia mallei and Burkholderia pseudoma...
The prevalence of equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis and the role of interincisal angulation in disease severity in a representative cohort of horses in Switzerland. Equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EOTRH) is an increasingly diagnosed degenerative dental disease in aged horses. The primary aim of this retrospective study was to determine the prevalence of EOTRH in horses admitted to the Equine Hospital, University of Zurich, for dental procedures from 2004 to 2017. A secondary goal was to measure and compare interincisal angles on two-dimensional radiographs of horses with EOTRH to determine whether the interincisal angle is associated with age and severity of the disease. Radiographs were assessed for the presence of lysis and/or...
Comparison of Skin Prick Tests (SPT), Intradermal Tests (IDT) and In Vitro Tests in the Characterization of Insect Bite Hypersensitivity (IBH) in a Population of Lusitano Horses: Contribution for Future Implementation of SPT in IBH Diagnosis. Thirty controls (C) and 30 IBH-affected (T) Lusitano horses were evaluated. T horses were included based on anamnesis and physical examination, supported by questionnaires. All horses were submitted to skin tests, Intrademal (IDT) and Skin Prick Tests (SPT), on the neck with 14 specific allergens, 13 recombinant proteins (r-proteins) from Culicoides nubeculosus (Cul n) and Culicoides obsoletus (Cul o) salivary glands and Culicoides nubeculosus Whole Body Extract (Cul n WBE). Addicionally, a cluster of six T and six C horses were also tested with Cul n 3 and Cul n 4 produced in insect cells and...
Treatment of a Paroxysmal Atrioventricular Block by Implantation of a Bipolar, Single-Chamber Cardiac Pacemaker in a Donkey. A two-year-old donkey presented with recurrent syncope. Electrocardiography revealed periods without any atrioventricular conduction and without any ventricular escape rhythm with a duration of up to one minute. Finally, atrioventricular conduction resumed spontaneously with a preceding ventricular escape beat. Laboratory tests and echocardiography identified no reversible cause. The diagnosis of a paroxysmal atrioventricular block (PAVB) was made. Therefore, a single-chamber cardiac pacemaker was implanted under general anesthesia. The device was programmed in the VVI mode to prevent further ...
Regulatory T lymphocytes and selected cytokines in horses with mild to severe equine asthma and different inflammatory cytology profiles. This study determined Tregs and inflammatory cytokines in BALF and peripheral blood (PB) of adult horses with mild and severe asthma and different BALF cytological inflammation profiles. Horses of diverse breeds with asthma (age range: 2-20 years, n = 24) were divided into groups according to the number of points obtained in a standardized clinical scoring system (mild-moderate equine asthma - MEA, severe equine asthma - SEA) and according to the inflammation type based on cytological finding. Plasma levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10, IL-17 and MMP-9 in the BALF were determined by ELISA. Tregs ...
Partial Genome Characterization of Novel Parapoxvirus in Horse, Finland. We report a sequencing protocol and 121-kb poxvirus sequence from a clinical sample from a horse in Finland with dermatitis. Based on phylogenetic analyses, the virus is a novel parapoxvirus associated with a recent epidemic; previous data suggest zoonotic potential. Increased awareness of this virus and specific diagnostic protocols are needed.
Ferret Models for Henipavirus Infection. Henipaviruses are emerging zoonotic viruses that can cause outbreaks of severe respiratory and neurological disease in humans and animals such as horses. The mechanism by which these viruses can cause disease remain largely unknown and to date there are no therapeutics or vaccines approved for use in humans. Nipah virus is listed on the World Health Organization R & D Blueprint list of epidemic threats. In order to advance the availability of effective therapeutics and vaccines and medicines that can be used to save lives and avert large scale crises, animal models are required which recap...