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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.
Detection of clenbuterol (Ventipulmin) in the horse. An enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to detect the beta 2-agonist clenbuterol in equine blood and urine. The antiserum was raised in rabbits, employing clenbuterol-diazo-BSA as antigen. Clenbuterol-diazo-horseradish peroxidase served as enzyme conjugate. The concentration of clenbuterol to decrease tracer binding by 50% (IC50 value) was found to be 27.50 +/- 4.20 pg/well (1.37 ng/ml). The antibody cross-reacted with salbutamol (30%), terbutaline (14%) and cimaterol (1%). Horse serum was used directly to screen for clenbuterol, while urine was employed diluted. Positive sc...
Systemic and colonic venous hemostatic alterations in horses during low-flow ischemia and reperfusion of the large colon. Twenty-four horses were randomly allocated to 3 groups. All horses underwent a ventral midline celiotomy, and the large colon was exteriorized and instrumented. Group-1 horses served as sham-operated controls, group-2 horses underwent 6 hours of colonic ischemia, and group-3 horses were subjected to 3 hours of ischemia and 3 hours of reperfusion. Baseline blood samples were collected, then low-flow colonic ischemia was induced in horses of groups 2 and 3 by reducing colonic arterial blood flow to 20% of baseline. All horses were monitored for 6 hours. Citrated systemic venous (SV) blood sample...
Application of the polymerase chain reaction to the detection of African horse sickness viruses. The development of a coupled reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay (RT-PCR) is described for the detection of African horse sickness virus (AHSV) double-stranded RNA. Genome segments 7 and 10 were chosen as target templates for primers selected for use in the RT-PCR. Using these AHSV-specific primers all 9 serotypes were detectable. The sensitivity and specificity of the RT-PCR results were compared to those obtained by competition ELISA.
Development of an ELISA using a universal method of enzyme-labelling drug-specific antibodies. Part I: Detection of dexamethasone in equine urine. The development, validation, and application of an ELISA for dexamethasone in equine urine is described. The drug-protein conjugate was immobilised in microtitre plate wells and antiserum raised against the same drug-protein conjugate was allowed to compete with sample or standard drug and the immobilised drug-protein conjugate. The proportion of antiserum binding to the immobilised drug-protein conjugate was detected using a biotinylated protein G/extravidin-alkaline phosphatase complex in situ and measurement of the substrate product. The method was used to detect the presence of drug-derive...
Internal diseases that have skin lesions. Skin lesions can be associated with many internal diseases. Most organ systems seem to have conditions in which skin lesions can develop. Treatment of the skin lesions in such a situation is palliative. The underlying internal disease must be addressed for resolution of the skin lesions to occur. It is important to view the skin as an integral communicating part of the body and not just as the skin.
Overview of equine papular and nodular dermatoses. Papules and nodules are common lesions on horses and have a variety of underlying causes. This article addresses inflammatory and congenital nodules primarily, including urticaria, erythema multiforme, those nodules caused by infectious agents, epidermoid and dermoid cysts, and the uniquely equine skin tumor, the sarcoid. The eosinophilic nodules and other tumors are covered elsewhere in this issue. Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to each of the diseases are emphasized.
Infectious crusting dermatoses. Although there are numerous dermatoses in the horse in which the formation of crusts occurs, there are two relatively common and important infectious crusting dermatoses, namely, dermatophytosis and dermatophilosis. This article reviews the current concepts regarding the etiology and pathogenesis of each disease, as well as the more common clinical presentations, methods of diagnosis, and treatment.
Overview of equine pruritus. Pruritus is a common complaint associated with equine dermatoses. Self-mutilation results in alopecia, excoriations, scaling, and crusting; the aesthetic appearance of the horse is often ruined and the horse may be unfit for riding or showing. This article specifically addresses those pruritic dermatoses caused by allergies, including food allergy/intolerance, atopy and contact allergy, as well as by two ectoparasites, stick-tight fleas and rhabditic mange. The clinical signs, diagnostic tests, and treatment recommendations are discussed for each disorder. Insect hypersensitivity and pruritus ...
Detection of Salmonella enteritidis in equine feces using the polymerase chain reaction and genus-specific oligonucleotide primers. Salmonella was identified in feces from horses, using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and genus-specific oligonucleotide primers. Feces from healthy horses were determined to be culture negative and PCR negative for Salmonella. Fecal samples were inoculated with known numbers of colony-forming units (CFU) of S. enteritidis. The fecal samples were enriched overnight in tetrathionate broth, and then DNA was extracted and amplified by PCR using genus-specific primers. Sensitivity of the assay extended to 10 degrees CFU Salmonella enteritidis/g feces; sensitivity of microbiologic culture with ...
Laparoscopic anatomy of the equine abdomen. Laparoscopy was performed on 6 horses (2 mares, 2 geldings, 2 stallions) to determine the normal laparoscopic anatomy of the equine abdomen. After withholding feed for 36 hours, horses were examined from the left and right paralumbar fossae, and the visceral anatomic structures were recorded by videotape and photography. One mare developed emphysema located subcutaneously at the primary laparoscopic portal; otherwise, there were no complications. The anatomic structures of diagnostic importance that were observed in the left half of the abdomen were the hepatic duct; left lateral and quadrate ...
Recent developments in elucidating tick vector relationships for anaplasmosis and equine piroplasmosis. This brief review focuses first on several epidemiologically relevant aspects of anaplasmosis, including: (1) the role of male ticks as intrastadial, biological vectors of Anaplasma through interhost transfer; (2) the application of molecular diagnostic assays in assessing tick vector competence and evaluating the role of chronically infected carrier cattle as sources of Anaplasma marginale infection in vector ticks; (3) opportunities provided by a recently developed in vitro tick feeding system in quantitating studies of tick-hemoparasite-host interactions. Lastly, current knowledge of the st...
Experiences in treatment of epiglottal entrapment using a hook knife per nasum. Thirty eight horses with epiglottal entrapment were examined. In 29 the dorsally displaced mucosa was split axially with a curved hook knife, per nasum. The condition was also treated by subepiglottal mucosal resection (4 horses) and solely by the administration of an anti-inflammatory throat spray (4 horses). All surgical cases were treated with an anti-inflammatory throat spray and parenteral phenylbutazone. Those horses treated via a laryngotomy incision were box rested until the laryngotomy incision healed. The other horses were restricted to walking and trotting exercise for 10 days befor...
Differences in a ribosomal DNA sequence of Strongylus species allows identification of single eggs. In the current study, molecular techniques were evaluated for the species identification of individual strongyle eggs. Adult worms of Strongylus edentatus, S. equinus and S. vulgaris were collected at necropsy from horses from Australia and the U.S.A. Genomic DNA was isolated and a ribosomal transcribed spacer (ITS-2) amplified and sequenced using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques. The length of the ITS-2 sequence of S. edentatus, S. equinus and S. vulgaris ranged between 217 and 235 nucleotides. Extensive sequence analysis demonstrated a low degree (0-0.9%) of intraspecific variation...
The prevalence of intestinal Salmonella infection in horses submitted for necropsy. Specimens from the ileum, colon and rectum were aseptically collected from 50 consecutive horse carcases submitted for necropsy to the Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria. These were bacteriologically examined for the presence of Salmonella. Seventeen of these were positive for Salmonella at one or more sites. Serotyping of the isolates revealed a dominance of Salmonella Hayindogo in these horses.
Iridium-192 interstitial brachytherapy for equine periocular tumours: treatment results and prognostic factors in 115 horses. One hundred and fifteen horses with periocular tumours were treated with iridium-192 interstitial brachytherapy. Tumours included squamous cell carcinomas (n = 52) and sarcoids (n = 63). All horses were scheduled to receive 60 Gy (minimal tumour dose) given at a low dose rate (0.034 +/- 0.010 Gy/h). The mean and median follow-up times to last contact or death were 24 and 16 months, respectively. Chronic radiation reactions included palpebral fibrosis (10.4%), cataract (7.8%), keratitis and corneal ulceration (6.9%). Cosmetic changes included permanent epilation (21.7%) and hair dyspigmentation...
Development of PCR assays to detect genetic variation amongst equine herpesvirus-1 isolates as an aid to epidemiological investigation. A search for variable restriction sites has been carried out for equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) in an attempt to develop markers which can be used to group epidemiologically related viruses into groups, and to learn more about the dynamics of EHV-1 disease. Crude viral DNA extracts of EHV-1, prepared by Hirt extraction, were digested with AluI, HaeIII, or RsaI, and Southern blotted following electrophoresis. DNA fingerprints, produced by probing the Southern blots with the EHV-1 EcoR1-I fragment, separated 56 isolates into 16 groups. The variable sites within the EcoR1-I fragment were mapped app...
Endoscopy of the upper respiratory tract during treadmill exercise: a clinical study of 100 horses. Endoscopy of the upper respiratory tract was performed in 100 horses during high speed treadmill exercise. Reasons for endoscopy were a history of an abnormal noise during exercise in 75 horses, poor performance in 17 horses and to evaluate the results of upper respiratory tract surgery in 8 horses. Of the 75 horses with a history of an abnormal noise during exercise the cause was determined in 67 (89%). Endoscopic abnormalities were detected at rest in 40 of these 75 horses (53%). In these 40 horses, a similar diagnosis as to the cause of the abnormal noise was made at rest and during exercis...
Evaluation of Directigen Flu A assay for detection of influenza antigen in nasal secretions of horses. The Directigen Flu A assay (Becton Dickinson, Microbiology Systems, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada) is a commercially available immunoassay designed for rapid in vitro recognition of influenza A nucleoprotein. The purpose of this study was to evaluate this assay for detection of influenza virus in nasal secretions of naturally infected horses. The assay was shown to react with representative strains of influenza virus which cause disease in horses and did not react with nasal secretions from uninfected horses kept in isolation. Between 33% and 45% of nasal secretions specimens obtained from clin...
[The fist detection of Giardia spp. in horses in the Czech Republic]. The first occurrence of Giardia spp. in horses in the Czech Republic is reported. During preventive examination of 360 five-month up to 14-year horses from various parts of the region of Central Bohemia carried out from January 1993 to June 1994 in the parasitological laboratory of the State Veterinary Institute in Prague, the Giardia cysts were detected in the excrements of 18 (5%) horses, mostly 2-4 years of age, and in two foals 3 and 6 weeks old. During the period between March 1993 and June 1994, systematic and repeated observation was aimed at a group of 38 racing horses two up to four y...
Effect of auriculopalpebral nerve block and intravenous administration of xylazine on intraocular pressure and corneal thickness in horses. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured, using applanation tonometry, in both eyes of 20 horses after topical application of 0.5% proparacaine to the cornea. Ultrasonic pachymetry was used to measure central, mid-peripheral, and peripheral corneal thickness (CT) in all 4 quadrants of both eyes of 25 horses. All measurements were repeated after auriculopalpebral nerve block, sedation by IV administration of xylazine, or combination of nerve block and sedation. Mean IOP after topical anesthesia of the cornea was 20.6 +/- 4.7 mm of Hg for the left eye and 20.35 +/- 3.7 mm of Hg for the right eye....
Polyclonal antibody-based antigen-detection immunoassay for diagnosis of Trypanosoma evansi in buffaloes and horses. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed for the detection of Trypanosoma evansi antigens in serum samples of field cases of buffaloes and horses in northern India. In 323 naturally infected/suspected buffaloes, circulating antigenaemia was detected in 180 (55.72%), whereas parasitaemia by wet blood smear examination was found in 62 (19.19%) only. The antigen-ELISA was positive in 47 of the 62 parasitologically proven cases and in 86 of the 116 cases with anti-trypanosome antibodies detected by ELISA. Of the 80 horses examined antigen-ELISA was positive in 45 (56.75%) sera. Th...
[Non-invasive patient monitoring in veterinary medicine: pulse oximetry and capnography. II. Capnography]. Capnography measures carbon dioxide concentration or partial pressure of the respiratory gas continuously and non-invasively. The endtidal value is of great diagnostic value, it corresponds approximately to the arterial value, except for ventilation-perfusion-mismatching (horse), shunting (horse), or increased dead-space-ventilation (panting in the dog). Capnography primarily serves for monitoring of spontaneous and artificial ventilation, it is a reliable method for detecting hypo- and hyperventilation. Because metabolism and circulation influence the amount of carbon dioxide eliminated in th...
Cloning and expression of two genes from Babesia equi merozoites and evaluation of their diagnostic potential. High-titre equine immune sera were used to screen a lambda gt 11 expression library of Babesia equi cDNA fragments. Two cDNA clones which did not cross-hybridize to each other were studied. Both clones hybridized specifically to DNA from B. equi but not to DNA from B. caballi, B. divergens or B. ovis. Recombinant proteins were expressed as glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion proteins with apparent molecular weights of 40 kDa and 75 kDa. Polyclonal antibodies directed against the 40 kDa and 75 kDa recombinant proteins detected native antigens of 55 kDa and 50 kDa respectively in crude lysate...
Ontogeny and ultradian rhythms of adrenocorticotropin and cortisol in the late-gestation fetal horse. Fetal maturation and the timing of parturition in both sheep and primates are thought to be controlled by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis but little is known about the endocrinology of the equine fetus. We investigated the ontogeny of plasma concentrations of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol and corticosteroid binding capacity in the late-gestation fetal horse. We also wished to determine whether there is ultradian rhythmic release of ACTH and cortisol in fetal horses and we compared fetuses to maternal and non-pregnant adult horses. Six fetuses, 278-304 days gestation (ter...
Electrostatics of hemoglobins from measurements of the electric dichroism and computer simulations. Hemoglobins from normal human cells, from sickle cells, and from horse were investigated by electrooptical methods in their oxy and deoxy forms. The reduced linear dichroism measured as a function of the electric field strength demonstrates the existence of permanent dipole moments in the range of 250-400 Debye units. The reduced limiting dichroism is relatively small (< or = 0.1); it is negative for hemoglobin from sickle cells and positive for the hemoglobins from normal human cells and from horse. The dichroism decay time constants are in the range from about 55 to 90 ns. Calculations of th...
