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Topic:Disease Diagnosis
Disease diagnosis in horses involves the identification and characterization of illnesses through various diagnostic methods and tools. This process is essential for effective veterinary care and management of equine health. Techniques used in diagnosing diseases in horses include clinical examinations, laboratory tests, imaging modalities such as ultrasonography and radiography, and molecular diagnostics. Blood tests are frequently utilized to assess parameters such as complete blood count and biochemical profiles, which can indicate underlying health issues. Additionally, advancements in genetic testing and biomarker identification have enhanced the ability to detect specific diseases early. This page aggregates peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore diagnostic methodologies, their applications, and their impact on equine health management.
Factors associated with gastric lesions in thoroughbred racehorses. Gastroscopic examinations were performed on 67 Thoroughbred horses in training at a race track and repeat examinations performed in 35 horses, 2 to 3 months later. Horses were age 2-9 years and included 16 two-year-olds, 32 three-year-olds and 19 horses > or = 4-years-old. Forty-two of the 67 horses had raced within the 2 months before the initial examination and the remaining 25 horses were in training. Sixty-two of the 67 horses (93%) had one or more lesions present in the gastric mucosa and lesions were present in all of the 42 horses that had raced. Thirty-two of the 35 horses, examined...
Magnetic motor evoked potentials in ponies. Magnetic stimulation of motor pathways was used to effect motor unit action potential recordings from forelimb and hindlimb muscles in unanesthetized ponies. Motor pathway conduction velocities to the forelimb and hindlimb were determined to be 53.8 +/- 9.6 m/s-1 and 63.4 +/- 8.3 m/s-1, respectively. This noninvasive technique will enable more precise evaluation of motor deficits in clinical patients than is possible with the neurological examination.
Endotoxin induced expression of tumour necrosis factor, tissue factor and plasminogen activator inhibitor activity by peritoneal macrophages. Peritoneal fluid was collected aseptically from 30 healthy adult horses and 115 horses with acute gastrointestinal disease and supernatant was separated from cells by centrifugation followed by freezing until assayed for endotoxin and tumour necrosis factor activity. Peritoneal macrophages obtained from healthy horses were incubated in vitro for 3, 6, 12 or 24 h in the absence (media control) or presence of Escherichia coli 055:B5 endotoxin (final concentrations of 1, 10, 100 or 1000 ng/ml). Macrophages obtained from horses with acute gastrointestinal disease were incubated for 12 h in the abs...
Development of a diagnostic DNA probe to detect Setaria digitata: the causative parasite of cerebrospinal nematodiasis in goats, sheep and horses. Two repetitive sequences (IpSdM and IpSdS) have been cloned and sequenced from the genome of Setaria digitata. When IpSdM (214 bp) and IpSdS (201 bp) were aligned, a high degree of homology (85%) was observed, indicating that they belong to the same family of repeats. IpSdM represents a complete repeating element while IpSdS consists of two partial repeating elements arranged in tandem. The elements are present in about 10 000 copies comprising 2.8% of the S. digitata genome. As a diagnostic probe IpSdM detects as little as 100 pg DNA of both S. digitata and S. labiato-papillosa. It can also d...
Use of a virulence-associated protein based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for Rhodococcus equi serology in horses. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed against Rhodococcus equi using Triton X-114 detergent extracted whole cell material, in which the virulence associated protein (VapA) predominated. Enzymelinked immunosorbent assay titres corresponded to antibody reacting with VapA on Western blots. There was considerable variation in antibody titres of nonimmunised mares and in the time when the colostrally derived antibody of their foals had declined to low or undetectable titres. In general, antibodies in foals declined to their lowest levels at age 4-8 weeks. Seroconversion occurre...
Evaluation of thrombin-antithrombin complexes and fibrin fragment D in carbohydrate-induced acute laminitis. Carbohydrate-induced laminitis has been associated with decreased platelet survival, decreased blood flow to the hoof wall and with the deposition of platelets and microthrombi within venules in the dermal laminae. To evaluate further the systemic prothrombotic events occurring in the prodromal stages of laminitis, plasma samples from control and laminitis-affected ponies and horses were tested for the presence of thrombin-antithrombin (TAT) complexes and fibrin fragment D (D-dimer). No statistically significant differences between the control and laminitis-affected animals were observed for e...
A 16S rRNA-based PCR assay for detection and identification of granulocytic Ehrlichia species in dogs, horses, and cattle. A PCR-based assay was developed for detecting DNA of granulocytic ehrlichiae in blood samples from dogs, horses, and cattle, Primers were designed from 16S rRNA sequence information to specifically amplify DNA from a newly identified Swedish Ehrlichia species. The 16S rRNA nucleotide sequence of this Swedish species differs in only two and three positions from the sequences of Ehrlichia phagocytophila and Ehrlichia equi, respectively, which were also amplified by this PCR system. For evaluation, PCR results were compared with microscopic examination of stained blood smears for the detection of...
Improved isolation of Clostridium perfringens from foal faeces. There have been several case reports of foal diarrhoea associated with Clostridium perfringens. However, there has been no epidemiological assessment of the strength of the association of these bacteria with foal diarrhoea or of their relative importance. To prepare methods for such a study, the success of different cultural techniques for the isolation of C perfringens was examined with respect to the various physiological states of the bacteria. The germination and growth of C perfringens NCTC 8239 endospores of differing maturity were favoured by different pre-treatments which failed to rec...
Topical treatment of Pseudomonas sp-infected corneal ulcers in horses: 70 cases (1977-1994). To determine which antimicrobial agents were most effective against Pseudomonas sp-infected ulcerative keratitis, and identify any trends in the various clinical conditions associated with these bacteria that might assist in effective treatment of the disease. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 66 horses with 70 Pseudomonas sp-infected corneal ulcers. Methods: We reviewed medical records of horses admitted to the George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals, University of Pennsylvania between July 1977 and December 1994. Records of horses that had Pseudomonas sp isolated from a corne...
Data on the prevalence of tapeworm infestations in horses in The Netherlands. The prevalence of tapeworm infestations was investigated in 70 horses slaughtered in the period February 1994-July 1994. Most horses were half-breed, young (1.5-3 years), and in good condition. They were bought for slaughter by dealers on local markets, and their treatment history was therefore unknown. Tapeworm infestations were seen in 16 horses (23%). Fifteen (21%) had an infection with Anoplocephala perfoliata. One horse had a single specimen of Paranoplocephala mamillana. The average number of A. perfoliata was 45 and the highest number was 508.
A screening test for subclinical liver disease in horses affected by pyrrolizidine alkaloid toxicosis. To evaluate various biochemical tests as indicators of subclinical liver disease in horses exposed to pyrrolizidine alkaloid toxicosis. Methods: A clinical pathology field study. Methods: Twenty-two clinically normal horses from four properties in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Methods: Serum samples from each horse were assayed for gamma glutamyltransferase, alkaline phosphatase and aspartate aminotransferase activities, and for serum bile acid concentration, albumin and total protein. Serum protein electrophoresis was performed and their amino acid profiles determined. Bromosulph...
Echinococcus granulosus in Spain: strain differentiation by SDS-PAGE of somatic and excretory/secretory proteins. A comparison was made, by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), of excretory/secretory (ES)-crude and immunopurified (with the corresponding anti-host serum) hydatid fluids-and somatic (S)-protoscoleces-proteins, from several ovine, equine, swine, bovine and human Echinococcus granulosus Spanish isolates. Likewise, the host influence on parasitic ES protein expression was studied, comparing purified hydatid fluids from ovine and equine cysts obtained from natural hosts and in RNMI mice. Purified hydatid fluids patterns, under reducing conditions, yielded the mos...
Re-emergence of epidemic Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis in South America. VEE Study Group. Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (VEE) virus has caused periodic epidemics among human beings and equines in Latin America from the 1920s to the early 1970s. The first major outbreak since 1973 occurred in Venezuela and Colombia during 1995, and involved an estimated 75,000 to 100,000 people. We report an epidemiological and virological investigation of this epidemic. Methods: Virus isolates were made in cell culture from human serum, human throat swabs, and brain tissue from aborted and stillborn human fetuses, as well as from horse brain tissue and pooled mosquito collections. Human sera ...
Laryngeal and pharyngeal dysfunction in horses homozygous for hyperkalemic periodic paralysis. Evaluate histories, clinical signs, and laboratory data of 69 horses homozygous by DNA testing for hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HPP). Methods: Cohort study. Methods: 69 of 189 horses testing homozygous for HPP between October 1992 and November 1994. Methods: Questionnaires addressing signalment, training regimes, medical history, and current status of affected horses were sent to owners, trainers, or attending veterinarians. Data from completed questionnaires were tabulated and evaluated, using descriptive statistics. Results: Sixty-nine (37%) of 189 questionnaires were completed and retur...
Risk factors associated with development of diarrhea in horses after celiotomy for colic: 190 cases (1990-1994). To determine the incidence of the risk factors for developing diarrhea in horses after celiotomy for colic. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: 357 adult horses that had celiotomy for colic at the teaching hospital between Jan 1, 1990 and Sep 1, 1994. Methods: Medical records of horses that had celiotomy for colic were reviewed to abstract information regarding development of diarrhea, signalment, history, and treatment. Results: In horses that had celiotomy for colic, the incidence of diarrhea was 53.2% (190/357). Using multiple logistic regression, horses with a disorder of the lar...
Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection in horses: 538 cases (1982-1993). To describe clinical manifestations of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection in horses and to evaluate diagnostic methods for identification of this disease. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 538 horses with a diagnosis of C pseudotuberculosis infection. Results: Median age of horses with external abscesses was similar to that in horses with internal abscesses. Breed and sex did not appear to be associated with infection. Cases were detected during all 12 months; however, the disease was most common in the fall and early winter, with the highest incidence in September, Octobe...
Pulmonary function measurements during repeated environmental challenge of horses with recurrent airway obstruction (heaves). To evaluate the degree of reproducibility in clinical variables, blood gas measurements, and lung function variables, and the changes in these variables caused by exposure to moldy hay in naturally sensitized and control horses. Methods: The magnitude of variation in arterial blood gas and pulmonary function measurements were evaluated in a model of naturally acquired heaves. Horses with heaves and similarly aged control horses were studied prior to moldy hay challenge and again after the horses with heaves manifested clinical signs of airway obstruction. This cycle of testing was repeated 3 t...
A method of signal processing in motion analysis of the trotting horse. The aim of this paper is to present a method of signal processing necessary for motion analysis in the trotting horse. Motion analysis is widely used to assess lameness in horses. By definition, lameness in trot is present if the movements during the stance phases of both fore or hind limbs differ. The motion of the horse is recorded using a system for motion analysis (Selcom, 1983, SELSPOT II User Manual, Pad Nr. 6710) and the vertical motion of the head during both stance phases is compared. The symmetry is analyzed comparing the values of the Fourier coefficients. Additional head movements ...
Identification of Rhodococcus equi using the polymerase chain reaction. Two regions in the gene coding for 16S rRNA in Rhodococcus equi were selected as species-specific primer sequences for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR using these primers was tested against 10 strains of R. equi (including the type strain) and gave positive results for all but was negative for all other tested species of Rhodococcus; representatives of the most closely related genera and a number of other bacterial species. This method could therefore be used to identify this species which can infect the lungs or other organs of horses, pigs, humans and other animals.
Instrumentation and techniques for carbon dioxide lasers in equine general surgery. The carbon dioxide laser has become an important surgical instrument in human and veterinary medicine. The unique properties of this laser make it the instrument of choice for precise incision, coagulation, and vaporization of tissue at the body surface with minimal morbidity to the patient. This article describes the instrumentation and techniques used to perform a variety of equine general surgical procedures with the carbon dioxide laser. The benefits of surgery using the carbon dioxide laser include precise dissection with minimal trauma to adjacent tissues, good hemostasis, and the abilit...
Horseshoe characteristics as possible risk factors for fatal musculoskeletal injury of thoroughbred racehorses. To evaluate selected shoe characteristics as risk factors for fatal musculoskeletal injury (FMI) and specifically for suspensory apparatus failure (SAF) and cannon bone condylar fracture (CDY) of Thoroughbred racehorses in California. Methods: Case-control study. Methods: Thoroughbred racehorses (n = 201) that died of were euthanatized at California racetracks between August 1992 and July 1994. Methods: Shoe characteristics were compared between case horses affected by FMI (155), SAF (79), and CDY (41) and control horses that died for reasons unrelated to the appendicular musculoskeletal syste...
