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Topic:Diagnostic Technique
Diagnostic techniques in equine medicine encompass a range of procedures and tools used to identify diseases, injuries, or other health conditions in horses. These techniques include imaging methods such as radiography, ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as well as laboratory tests like blood work and tissue biopsies. Each diagnostic method provides specific information that can aid in the assessment and management of equine health issues. Radiography is commonly used for evaluating bone structures, while ultrasonography is useful for soft tissue examination. MRI offers detailed images of both soft and hard tissues, though its use is limited by cost and availability. Laboratory tests can detect biochemical and hematological changes indicative of disease. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the development, application, and efficacy of various diagnostic techniques in equine veterinary practice.
Spectroscopic and electrochemical studies of horse myoglobin in dimethyl sulfoxide. This paper reports the first report of rapid, reversible direct electron transfer between a redox protein, specifically, horse myoglobin, and a solid electrode substrate in nonaqueous media and the spectroscopic (UV-vis, fluorescence, and resonance Raman) characterization of the relevant redox forms of myoglobin (Mb) in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). In DMSO, the heme active site of metmyoglobin (metMb) appears to remain six-coordinate high-spin, binding water weakly. Changes in the UV-fluorescence spectra for metMb in DMSO indicate that the protein secondary structure has been perturbed and sugge...
The use of chosen serological diagnostic methods in Lyme disease in horses. Part I. Indirect immunofluorescence and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The investigations aimed to establish the reliability of the chosen serological tests designed for the diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis in horses. The investigations were carried out in five Horse Breeding Centres (OHK). Statistical analysis methods were used to determine sample size for particular centres: Krasne (Kr)--49, Łack (Ł)--21, Walewice (W)--111, BogusŁawice (B)--17, Kozienice (K)--61. The experimental material comprised the chosen horses from which blood samples were collected in order to obtain sera. The test used for indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA No 75941, Bio-Mérieux) i...
Jejunoileal anastomosis following small intestinal resection in horses: seven cases (1999-2001). To report the postoperative outcome in horses undergoing jejunoileal anastomosis performed with a 2-layer simple continuous technique. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 7 horses. Methods: Information regarding signalment, clinical signs, findings at surgery, and postoperative complications was obtained from medical records of horses that underwent exploratory ventral midline celiotomy, small intestinal resection, and jejunoileal anastomosis to correct various small intestinal strangulating lesions. Follow-up information was obtained via telephone conversations with owners or trainers. Res...
Magnetic resonance imaging application to live horse for diagnosis of tendinitis. Six live horses with various stages of acute to chronic superficial digital flexor (SDF) tendinitis were examined using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In each case, MRI findings were compared to the corresponding ultrasonographic (USD) and histologic findings, to establish the usefulness of MRI. In the acute cases, lesions characterized by hemorrhage were well defined as high signal intensity on MRI and hypoechoic regions on USD. Chronic tendon fibrosis was slightly hyperechoic and difficult to distinguish from the normal tendon tissue around the original injury by using USD. In contrast, M...
Development of a multiplex real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction for equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV). A single-tube reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using a fluorogenic real-time PCR detection method is described for the quantitation of equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) RNA in the plasma of equids. To compensate for variations inherent in sample preparation a multiplex real-time RT-PCR system was developed that permitted the simultaneous calculation of the nucleic acid recovery rate along with the copy number of viral RNA molecules. Detection of EIAV RNA was linear from 10(9) to 10(1) molecules with intra- and inter-assay variability of less than 1% at 10(8), 10(6),...
Sarcocystis neurona: parasitemia in a severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) horse fed sporocysts. Sarcocystis neurona was isolated from the blood of a 5-month-old Arabian foal with severe combined immunodeficiency. The foal had been inoculated approximately 3 weeks previously with 5 x 10(5) sporocysts that were isolated from the intestines of an opossum and identified by restriction enzyme analysis of PCR products as S. neurona. The isolate obtained from the blood of this foal was characterized by genetic, serologic, and morphologic methods and identified as S. neurona (WSU1). This represents the first time that S. neurona has been isolated from any tissue after experimental infection of a...
Use of a neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser to remove exuberant granulation tissue from the esophagus of a horse. Use of a neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser to remove exuberant granulation tissue from the esophagus of a horse A 4-year-old Quarter Horse mare was evaluated because of recurrent esophageal obstruction. Endoscopic examination revealed a proliferative mass in the esophagus approximately 55 cm aborad to the nares. Histologic examination of biopsy specimens revealed diffuse suppurative esophagitis and granulation tissue with no evidence of neoplasia. The mass was excisedand ablated transendoscopically with a neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser. During a follow-up examination 2 weeks aft...
Fourier analysis of trunk displacements: a method to identify the lame limb in trotting horses. The aim of this paper is to present a method allowing the identification of the lame limb in trotting horses. Using a 3-D kinematic analysis system, 13 sound and 25 lame horses fitted with 4 skin markers placed on the dorsal midline of their trunk were recorded while trotting on a track in the conditions of the routine lameness examination. The vertical displacements of the trunk markers underwent Fourier analysis. Results indicated that these displacements could be represented using only the first and second harmonics. From these two harmonics, indices were then developed. The sensitivity of ...
Detection of natural infection of Boophilus microplus with Babesia equi and Babesia caballi in Brazilian horses using nested polymerase chain reaction. The potential role of Boophilus microplus as a natural tick vector of Babesia equi and Babesia caballi in Brazilian horses was assessed using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based marker assay. B. equi merozoite-specific 218bp gene fragment was detected in almost 96% of horse blood samples, and 45.3-62.5% of females, eggs, larvae, and nymphs of B. microplus collected from 47 horses at Campo Grande in the State of Matto Grosso, Brazil. Except for the partially-fed female ticks, the B. caballi-specific 430bp gene fragment was amplified from horse blood samples, and all developmental stage...
Recommended terminology and advances in the systematics of the Cyathostominea (Nematoda: Strongyloidea) of horses. Terminology for common names for the Tribe Cyathostominea (cyathostomins), and disease caused by the nematodes (cyathostominosis), were recommended to replace the previously used names cyathostomes and cyathostomosis, which are ambiguous, inaccurate or synonymous, by the Third Internal Workshop on the Systematics of Cyathostominea of Horses, held in Stresa, Italy, 28 August 2001. The progress by this international working group at three workshops is reviewed briefly and a list of publications is provided. Included are an annotated checklist by genus and species of 93 species level names and th...
Paranasal meningioma in a horse. Paranasal meningioma was diagnosed in a 5-year-old Appaloosa gelding. The mass occupied the right maxillary, frontal, and sphenopalatine sinuses but did not invade the calvarium. The diagnosis was based on histologic evaluation, positive immunohistochemical staining for vimentin and cytokeratin, and ultrastructural features including the presence of interdigitating spindle cells with numerous desmosomes.
Repeatability of standard transthoracic echocardiographic measurements in horses. To assess the repeatability of commonly employed transthoracic echocardiographic measurements in standing horses. Methods: Thirteen healthy 3- to 4-year-old fit Standardbred geldings with a mean weight of 411 (SEM +/- 10) kg were studied. The horses' environment, feeding and management regimens were standardised. All measurements were performed by the same investigator at the same time every day for three consecutive days. Methods: Standard transthoracic measurements were made on all horses. Each measurement was performed over three consecutive cardiac cycles on 1 day and all measurements were...
Flow cytometry: clinical applications in equine medicine. The use of flow cytometry in veterinary diagnostics is becoming a valuable clinical tool with a broad range of applications. Physical characteristics of cells can be determined by the flow cytometer laser and electronics through the measurement of changes in light scatter properties. Other components and functions of cells can be defined through the application of fluorochrome dyes that have an affinity for cellular components. Traditionally, common clinical applications are immunophenotyping of cells of the hematopoietic system with fluorescent-labeled antibodies raised against specific cell ...
A PCR-RFLP for KIT associated with tobiano spotting pattern in horses. An MspI polymorphism was identified in intron 13 of the equine homologue of proto-oncogene c-kit (KIT) by comparing DNA sequences from horses with solid coat colour and horses homozygous for the tobiano spotting (To) gene. The allele associated with solid coat colour was designated KM0, while the allele associated with the tobiano pattern created an additional MspI restriction site and was designated KM1. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) studies using DNA from hair follicles demonstrated that all 129 of 129 tobiano patterned horses possessed the KM1...
Urinary cortisol:creatinine ratios in healthy horses and horses with hyperadrenocorticism and non-adrenal disease. Urinary cortisol and creatinine concentrations, and the cortisol:creatinine ratio were compared between 12 healthy horses (group 1), 13 horses with Cushing's disease (group 2), and eight horses with dysautonomia syndrome (equine grass sickness) (group 3). The mean (sd) urinary cortisol concentrations were 112 (55.7), 250 (357) and 864 (526) nmol/litre in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively; the mean (sd) urinary creatinine concentrations were 18.9 (7.3), 12.0 (6.7) and 45.2 (26.4) nmol/litre in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively, and the mean (sd) ratios were 6.1 (2.6), 19.8 (23.8) and 21.3 (14.5) (x...
Percutaneous retrieval of a jugular catheter fragment from the pulmonary artery of a foal. A 49-kg (107.8-lb) sexually intact male Arabian foal was evaluated at 3 days of age because of profuse watery diarrhea, anorexia, and signs of abdominal pain. Physical examination findings were unremarkable except for evidence of diarrhea. A catheter was placed in the right jugular vein for administration of antimicrobials and lactated Ringer's solution. The foal was discharged with instructions to the owner to continue antimicrobial administration and fluid therapy; at home, the owner inadvertently cut the catheter at the level of the hub during attempted removal, and the catheter fragment mi...
Detection of cold-adapted vaccine-strain influenza virus using two commercial assays. Because of the contagious nature of influenza virus it is necessary to identify infected individuals after the virus is introduced into a population. The aim of this study was to characterise influenza virus detection with commercially available assays after intranasal vaccinating horses with cold-adapted influenza virus. Seven horses were vaccinated and placed with 3 unvaccinated horses. Nasal secretion samples were evaluated using 2 antigen detection assays. All 10 horses were positive in the Flu OIA assay during the study period, but only one horse was positive on one sample using the Direc...
Evaluation of nebulised hay dust suspensions (HDS) for the diagnosis and investigation of heaves. 3: Effect of fractionation of HDS. To investigate the relative importance of inhaled particulates and soluble components in the response to inhaled hay dust suspension (HDS), heaves (previously termed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; n = 7) and control (n = 6) horses were given inhalation challenges with whole and fractionated HDS. Fractionation was achieved by centrifugation to yield supernatant (SUP) and particulate debris. The particulates were then washed repeatedly in saline to produce a washed particulate (WP) fraction which comprised mainly fungal spores, and a wash fraction (WF) which comprised saline and soluble ...
Intradermal skin testing in Icelandic horses in Austria. Icelandic horses in Austria are commonly affected by an allergic inflammatory skin disease recurring during the summer seasons, which shares characteristic features with Culicoides hypersensitivity. However, the causative agents have not yet been identified. Therefore, intradermal skin testing (IDST) with a standardised extract of Culicoides variipennis and 21 other allergens relevant within Austria was performed in 81 Icelandic horses. All horses included into the study were treated regularly with ivermectin and had no history of administration of anti-inflammatory drugs. Forty-three of these...
Evaluation of nebulised hay dust suspensions (HDS) for the diagnosis and investigation of heaves. 1: Preparation and composition of HDS. Currently, heaves is investigated by exposing susceptible horses to dusty hay. Consequently, the response will be dependent on the organic dust content and composition of the hay. It was hypothesised that the use of a hay dust suspension (HDS) would reduce the variability of the challenge and therefore standardise experimental protocols. Furthermore, analysis of HDS would also permit further investigation of the organic dust components responsible for the response. Three hay dust suspensions (HDS-1, 2 and 3) were prepared for use in the diagnosis and investigation of heaves. HDS were produced ...
Comparison of VHS video recording system with apple Macintosh-based image analysis and modified CODA-3 systems in equine motion analysis. A VHS video--computer-based image analysis combination is described as a low sampling rate motion analysis system. Video recordings were taken indoor without any artificial illumination at 25 fps sampling rate. The horse studied was running on a high-speed treadmill and observed at 1.6, 4 and 7 m/s velocities at walk, trot and canter, respectively. Left forelimb and hindlimb were recorded separately from lateral view. For comparison, parallel CODA-3 recordings were taken at the same time from the same position. Joint angles were expressed and compared in angle-time diagrams. Sampling of both s...
A study of the ultrastructure and staining characteristics of the ‘dental star’ of equine incisors. The objective of this study was to examine the diameter, extent, orientation and contents of dentinal tubules in order to validate the hypothesis of pigment penetration into the dental star of equine incisival occlusal surfaces. The time of appearance and the configuration of the dental star on the incisival occlusal surface are macroscopically visible features that, along with other more reliable parameters, are used for the determination of horses' age. Although dental stars are an integral part of the equine incisor occlusive surface, the exact nature and microstructure of the dental star a...
Cytological analysis of equine bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Part 2: Comparison of smear and cytocentrifuged preparations. The aim of this study was to develop a diagnostically useful smear method for preparation of equine bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) for use by practitioners. A smear method for equine BALF preparation which included the addition of serum was developed, and cell morphology, differential cell counts (DCC) and repeatability of counting DCC compared with those of cytocentrifuged BALF preparations. BALF samples (n = 21) were collected from 5 control horses and 5 heaves-susceptible horses. Smear preparations of BALF produced smaller, darker, staining cells, making cytological identification more...
Cytological analysis of equine bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Part 3: The effect of time, temperature and fixatives. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples are often subject to time delays, possibly with temperature fluctuations, between collection and processing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of time, temperature and 2 different fixatives on equine BALF cytology, in order to develop guidelines for optimal equine BALF storage conditions. Total nucleated cell count (TCC), differential cell counts (DCC), absolute cell counts (ACC), cell viability, cell morphology and bacterial growth of BALF samples stored at 4, 18 (+/- addition of formalin- or alcohol-based fixatives) and 38 degrees C...
Cytological analysis of equine bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Part 1: Comparison of sequential and pooled aliquots. The aim of this study was to investigate whether initial equine bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) aliquots were more representative of bronchial cytology that bronchiolar and alveolar cytology. Cell viability and total nucleated (TCC), differential (DCC) and absolute cell counts of cytocentrifuged preparations of 3 sequentially collected BALF aliquots (Aliquots 1-3) were compared with those of pooled BALF (Aliquot 4) to assess whether all aliquots were representative of the lavaged lung segment. BALF samples (n = 21) were collected from control horses (n = 5) or heaves-affected horses (n = 5...
An analysis of human pathogens found in horse/mule manure along the John Muir Trail in Kings Canyon and Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks. To determine the prevalence of microorganisms that are potentially pathogenic for humans in horse/mule manure along the John Muir Trail (JMT). Methods: Random samples of horse/mule manure were collected along sections of the JMT in Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia national parks (NP), as well as in portions of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and selected JMT/PCT access trails. Convenience samples of wild animal scat found within I mile of trails were also collected. The fresh specimens were individually preserved both in 0.9% saline and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-containing tubes and stored at 4...
A retrospective study of oesophageal endoscopy in cattle – oesophagoscopy for diagnosis of mucosal disease. Oesophageal endoscopy in cattle has been rarely reported in the literature. It has, however, been used for many years as an aid to the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses of the upper gastrointestinal tract in small animals and horses. We have assessed the potential value of oesophagoscopy on 120 bovine patients presented at the 2nd Medical Clinic for Ruminants and Swine at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, over a period of three years. In the course of the study, cattle exhibiting symptoms such as salivation, regurgitation or swelling in the neck region were referred for endosco...
Relationship between clinical signs and pulmonary function estimated by the single breath diagram for CO(2) (SBD-CO(2)) in horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The pulmonary health of 66 horses was assessed by a clinical examination and simple supplementary diagnostic methods. Single breath diagrams for CO(2) (SBD-CO(2)) and derived lung function indices were used to determine pulmonary function. The clinical signs in different groups were related to the results of the lung function indices derived from the SBD-CO(2). In horses with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a significant relationship was found between the respiratory frequency and the ratio of Bohr's dead space to the tidal volume (VD(Bohr)/VT), and between the...
