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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.
Genetic analysis of equine rotavirus by RNA-RNA hybridization. Serotype G3 equine rotaviruses isolated in Japan made up a common genogroup and were classified into two different genotypes. The genomes of serotype G3 equine rotaviruses with an identical electropherotype (isolated from 1982 to 1989) were very closely related to each other regardless of the year in which they were isolated. Serotype G3 equine rotavirus BI originating from England belonged to the same genogroup of serotype G3 equine rotaviruses isolated in Japan, although BI was classified as having a different genotype. The genomes of both serotype G10 equine rotavirus R-22 and serotype G10 ...
[A comparison of cardiac stroke volume determination using the thermodilution method and PW-Doppler echocardiography for the evaluation of systolic heart function in the horse]. In 14 horses without heart disease stroke volume determination were established by pulsed wave doppler echocardiography. Thermodilution and doppler echocardiography were used simultaneously. The doppler echocardiographic volume determinations were carried out in left and right outflow tracts. Echocardiographically Velocity Time Integral, Maximum Flow Velocity, Mean Flow Velocity and Acceleration Time were ascertained. To be able to compare heart volumes of horses with different body weight stroke volume was applied to 1 kg of body weight (= heart index). Heart Index determined with thermodilut...
Temperature and pH effects on the oxygen equilibrium curve of the thoroughbred horse. A new oxygen equilibrium curve is defined for the Thoroughbred horse under standard conditions of 37 degrees C, pH = 7.4 and PCO2 = 5.33 kPa. The "standard" P50 for the Thoroughbred is, at 2.83 +/- 0.04 (SE of mean) kPa, significantly lower than that found for the Hanoverian horse (3.17 +/- 0.03 kPa) by Clerbaux et al. (Can. J. Vet. Res. 50: 188-192, 1986), and lower than other values for horses in the literature. Using data from Butler et al. (J. Exp. Biol. 179: 159-180, 1993), curves were also constructed, in vitro, under simulated conditions of intense exercise to examine the individual eff...
Genus-specific detection of salmonellae in equine feces by use of the polymerase chain reaction. Members of the genus Salmonella were 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 for Salmonella spp. Fecal samples were inoculated with known numbers of colony-forming units (CFU) of S anatum, S derby, S enteritidis, S heidelberg, S newport, and S typhimurium. The DNA was extracted from fecal samples and amplified by PCR, using genus-specific primers. Sensitivity of the assay extended to 10(3) CFU of Salmonella sp/g of feces; sensitivity of microbiologic c...
Pregnancy-associated endometrial expression of antileukoproteinase gene is correlated with epitheliochorial placentation. Uterine expression of the mRNA encoding antileukoproteinase (ALP) is highest in pig uterus during mid- to late pregnancy, suggesting a stage of pregnancy-dependent role for this elastase/cathepsin G protease inhibitor in feto-maternal interactions. To examine a potential relationship between uterine synthesis of ALP and the type of placentation in mammalian species, the expression of ALP mRNA and/or protein in pregnant mares, cows, rats, and mice was evaluated. Genomic DNA and mRNA hybridization analyses were performed using a porcine ALP cDNA as probe. The concentration of ALP protein in repr...
Molecular dynamics simulation of equine infectious anemia virus Tat protein in water and in 40% trifluoroethanol. Two molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed in order to increase the understanding of the dependence of protein conformation on solvent environment. The protein used for these simulations is the transcriptional activator of the equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV-Tat). The structure of this protein has been determined by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in aqueous solution (Willbold et al., Science 264, 1584 (1994)) and in 40% (v/v) trifluoroethanol (TFE) (Sticht et al., Eur. J. Biochem., submitted) showing considerable differences in the stability of the secondary structure elemen...
Isolation of equine herpesvirus type 2 (equine gammaherpesvirus 2) from foals with keratoconjunctivitis. Ocular problems characterized by conjunctivitis, epiphora, and keratopathy were detected in 35 of 80 Thoroughbred weanling foals that also had respiratory disease. Ocular problems were determined to be caused by infection with equine herpesvirus type 2 (EHV-2) and were successfully treated with ophthalmic medication containing idoxuridine. Equine herpesvirus type 2 isolated from 3 of 5 foals from which samples were collected. The identity of the causative virus as EHV-2 was confirmed by use of electron microscopy, restriction endonuclease DNA fingerprinting, and Southern blot analysis.
Is dentition an accurate indication of the age of a horse? It is widely accepted that the age of a horse can be determined from an examination of its teeth, but there is no evidence that the accuracy of the systems of ageing used has been validated. A dental record was made of 80 horses of known age. There was a good correlation between the actual and apparent age of the horses up to five years, but older horses showed much greater variability and accuracy declined markedly after 11 years of age. The disappearance of the 'cup', but not the 'mark', proved to be one of the more reliable features. The average age at which the dental star appeared was one...
XX male syndrome in a cryptorchid stallion. A bilateral cryptorchid stallion with mild development of mammary glands was identified as an XX male by karyotyping. Necropsy revealed underdeveloped accessory sex organs and hypoplastic, inguinally located testes that were deficient of spermatogonia. Evaluation of routine hormonal profiles (without karyotyping) would have failed to diagnose this syndrome.
Arthroscopic removal of osteochondral fragments from the proximal interphalangeal joint of the pelvic limbs in three horses. Osteochondral fragments detected in the proximal interphalangeal joint in the pelvic limbs of 3 horses (2 Standardbreds and 1 Thoroughbred) caused joint enlargement and lameness. Fragments were removed by use of arthroscopy. Accurate placement of the arthroscope into the dorsal joint space was necessary to obtain an adequate view of the fragments. After surgery, 2 of the horses resumed racing without joint problems, and the third was in training to race. High-detail radiographs are necessary to detect osteochondral fragments in horses with joint enlargement or lameness localized to the proxima...
Differential scanning calorimetric studies of superficial digital flexor tendon degeneration in the horse. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of equine superficial digital flexor tendons revealed the presence of a small exothermic peak at 23 degrees C of unknown origin, and a large endothermic peak at 70 degrees C due to denaturation of cross-linked collagen fibres. In the central degenerated core of damaged tendons the denaturation temperature remained at 70 degrees C but the enthalpy decreased in relation to the extent of degeneration of the tendon. We suggest that this reduction in enthalpy is due to depolymerisation and denaturation of the collagen fibres. This contention is supported by t...
Initial characterization of equine inhibin. Inhibin has been characterized from a number of mammals; however, it has not been extensively studied in horses. Western blot analysis was used to examine the size heterogeneity of equine inhibin alpha- and beta-subunits. The distribution of equine inhibin activity from the initial sizing column (S-200, 25 x 94 cm) indicated that the majority of equine inhibin activity was present as larger-molecular-size forms. When the large forms were analyzed by Western blot in nonreducing conditions, alpha-subunit bands were detected at 40,000 M(r), 56,000 M(r), 80,000 M(r), and 90,000 M(r); beta a reacti...
Evaluation of a technique for detection of pulmonary hemorrhage in horses, using carbon monoxide uptake. The diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and the functional residual capacity (FRC) of the lung were measured in 5 healthy Thoroughbreds before and after instillation of autologous blood into their lungs, in an attempt to develop a method to quantitate extravascular blood in the lungs of horses with exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage. Mean (+/- SD) baseline values of DLCO and FRC were 333.8 +/- 61.9 ml/min/mm of Hg and 21.464 +/- 4.156 L, respectively. Blood instillation resulted in decreases in DLCO and FRC. The paradoxic decrease in DLCO (we were expecting to find an increase owi...
Temporal changes in concentrations of amino acids in plasma and whole blood of healthy neonatal foals from birth to two days of age. Temporal changes, as well as differences in distribution, in concentrations of 24 amino acids in plasma and whole blood of neonatal foals were determined from birth to 2 days of age. In addition, differences in concentrations of amino acids in plasma between mare and foal pairs were determined at birth. Significant (P < 0.05) hypoaminoacidemia existed for 15 amino acids in plasma of foals at birth, compared with mares (paired t-test). Concentrations of 7 amino acids (aspartate, glutamate, glutamine, glycine, hydroxyproline, phenylalanine, proline) in plasma of foals were higher (P 0.05). S...
Skeletal muscle characteristics in red blood cell normovolaemic and hypervolaemic standardbred racehorses. Muscle biopsy specimens from the middle gluteal muscle were studied in 16 red blood cell hypervolaemic (Group HV) and 19 normovolaemic (Group NV) Standardbred racehorses. All horses were stallions, 4-8 years old and having similar mean racing performance values, as described by an individual selection index value. All horses raced regularly but those in Group HV did not perform as expected and were therefore referred to the clinics for exercise tolerance testing. Muscle biopsy specimens were analysed for fibre type distribution (Type I, IIA and IIB), fibre area and relative fibre area. In addi...
Sensory nerve conduction velocity of the caudal cutaneous sural and medial cutaneous antebrachial nerves of adult horses. Maximal conduction velocities of compound action potentials evoked by stimuli of 2 times threshold in the caudal cutaneous sural (CCSN) and medial cutaneous antebrachial (MCAN) nerves were determined by averaging potentials evoked and recorded through percutaneous needle electrodes. Mean maximal conduction velocities of compound action potentials were: CCSN = 61.3 +/- 2.0 meters/second (m/s) and MCAN = 56.4 +/- 2.8 m/s. To confirm accuracy of our percutaneous recordings, compound action potentials were recorded through bipolar chlorided silver electrodes from the exposed surfaces of fascicles ...
Oxytocin enhances clearance of radiocolloid from the uterine lumen of reproductively normal mares and mares susceptible to endometritis. The effects of oxytocin on the percentage of technetium 99m albumin colloid (99mTc-microAA), cleared from the uterine lumen was measured in 13 mares. Scintigraphy was performed during 4 consecutive oestrous cycles, on Day 3 of oestrus during Cycles one and 3 and 48 h after ovulation during Cycles 2 and 4. Oxytocin (20 iu) was given i.v. after the initial scintigraphy image during Cycles 3 and 4. Seven multiparous mares (Group 1) were classified as 'susceptible' and 6 mares (2 nulliparous and 4 multiparous; Group 2) were classified as 'resistant' to endometritis. All mares cleared > 90% of 99mT...
Comparison of measured and calculated values for colloid osmotic pressure in hospitalized animals. A relation exists between colloid osmotic pressure (pi) and serum total protein concentration; equations describing this relation have been used to determine a calculated value for pi. However, the relation between total protein concentration and pi is altered by the method used to measure protein and by changes in the ratio of concentrations of albumin (A) to globulin (G). We developed nomograms for estimating pi from A and G concentrations, using samples obtained from clinically normal animals and compared the accuracy of these nomograms with that of previously described equations relating p...
An examination of the occurrence of surgical wound infection following equine orthopaedic surgery (1981-1990). Post operative surgical wound infection rates were determined 452 cases of equine orthopaedic surgery performed at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, between January 1, 1981 and December 31, 1990. Only surgical procedures classified as clean or clean-contaminated by the National Research Council were included in this study. The overall post operative infection rate was 10.0% (45 of 452). Clean surgeries (n = 433) had an 8.1% infection rate while clean-contaminated surgeries (n = 19) had a 52.6% infection rate. Information collected from the medical records was...
Expression and characterization of the two outer capsid proteins of African horsesickness virus: the role of VP2 in virus neutralization. African horsesickness virus (AHSV) is a gnat-transmitted member of the Orbivirus genus of the Reoviridae family. The virus has a genome of 10 double-stranded RNA species (L1-L3, M4-M6, S7-S10). The L2 and M6 genes of AHSV serotype 4 (AHSV-4) which encode the outer capsid proteins VP2 and VP5, respectively, were inserted into recombinant baculoviruses downstream of the baculovirus polyhedrin, or p10 promoters. Recombinant baculoviruses expressing VP2, VP5, or VP2 and VP5 proteins of AHSV-4 were isolated. The expressed AHSV proteins were similar in size and antigenic properties to those of viral...
Carpal conformation in relation to carpal chip fracture. An objective radiological method of assessing the degree to which horses are conformationally 'back at the knee' (hyper-extended) is described. The effects on the measurements of variations in the direction of the incident X-ray beam and variations in weight bearing by the horse were assessed. A change from a lateromedial projection towards a plamaro-lateral-dorsomedial oblique projection consistently tended to reduce the observed degree of hyperextension of the carpus. Raising the contralateral limb to increase the load on the carpus had little effect on the measurements. The carpi of 21 thor...
Albumin quotient, IgG concentration, and IgG index determinations in cerebrospinal fluid of neonatal foals. Total protein (TP), albumin, and IgG concentrations were measured in CSF from the atlanto-occipital (AO) and lumbosacral (LS) sites and in serum of 15 clinically normal neonatal foals < or = 10 days old (mean, 7.0 days). The albumin quotient (AQ; CSF albumin/serum albumin x 100) and IgG index ([CSF IgG/serum IgG] x [serum albumin/CSF albumin]), indicators of blood-brain barrier permeability and intrathecal IgG production, respectively, were then calculated. Mean +/- SD values obtained from the foals of this study were: serum albumin, 2,900 +/- 240 mg/dl; serum IgG, 1,325 +/- 686 mg/dl; AO CSF ...
A rapid method for the analysis of influenza virus genes: application to the reassortment of equine influenza virus genes. We describe a rapid method for genetic characterisation of influenza virus genes using reverse transcription and amplification by polymerase chain reaction (RT/PCR) of all virus segments simultaneously (multiplex RT/PCR) using primers based on the conserved terminal sequences. The product has been shown to be suitable for determination of partial nucleotide sequences which can be used to search nucleotide sequence databases and rapidly map the genetic origin of each segment. We illustrate the use of the method by analysing genetic reassortment in H7N7 equine influenza viruses.
[Prognostic parameters in equine colic]. A retrospective study was performed on 271 horses with colic referred to the I. Medizinische Tierklinik within a period of 2 years, to examine the prognostic value of different clinical and diagnostic laboratory parameters by Student's t-test and the Chi-quadratic test. The following quantitative parameters presented a highly significant prognostic value (P < 0.0001): capillary refill time, pulse rate, heart rate, respiratory rate, hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, blood lactate, base excess and anion gap. The intensity of colic signs, the degree of disturbance of the patient's gen...
Abortion due to equine herpesvirus in southern Brazil. We report an outbreak of abortion due to equine herpesvirus (EHV) in 5 mares between 9 and 11 months of gestation, from a herd of 22 Thoroughbred mares. Equine herpesvirus was isolated from extracts of the liver, spleen and thymus but not from the lungs of a 9-month fetus grown in Rabbit Kidney (RK13) cells. The virus was identified by electron microscopy, where virus particles could be seen in the nucleus of infected cells, and by the fluorescent antibody technique with polyclonal antibodies against the whole virus. Anamnesis, necropsy, histopathology, bacteriology, and virology data suggest ...
Comparative genetic analysis of Swiss and Spanish isolates of Echinococcus granulosus by southern hybridization and Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA technique. Swiss and Spanish isolates of Echinococcus granulosus were compared using different molecular biological techniques: Genomic DNAs isolated from parasites originating from various intermediate hosts were subjected to Southern hybridization with different probes, the same source of DNA was used for DNA amplification using the Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique. With both methods the various isolates (metacestodes) of E. granulosus exhibited characteristic banding patterns which allowed us to assign them to the following groups of homologous profiles: (a) isolates of horse and donk...
