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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.
Global distribution, host range and prevalence of Trypanosoma vivax: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Trypanosomosis caused by Trypanosoma vivax is one of the diseases threatening the health and productivity of livestock in Africa and Latin America. Trypanosoma vivax is mainly transmitted by tsetse flies; however, the parasite has also acquired the ability to be transmitted mechanically by hematophagous dipterans. Understanding its distribution, host range and prevalence is a key step in local and global efforts to control the disease. Methods: The study was conducted according to the methodological recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRIS...
Volumetric measurements of paranasal sinuses and examination of sinonasal communication in healthy Shetland ponies: anatomical and morphometric characteristics using computed tomography. Despite clinical importance and frequent occurrence of sinus disease, little is known about the size of paranasal sinuses and their communication in ponies and small horses. To examine the shape and volume of the paranasal sinuses and evaluate the sinonasal communication, three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions of computed tomography (CT) datasets of 12 healthy adult Shetland ponies were performed and analysed. Linear measurements of head length and width were taken. Using semi-automatic segmentation, 3D-models of all sinus compartments were created. Volumetric measurement of the seven sinus co...
Rational dosage regimens for cephalothin and cefazolin using pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics analysis in healthy horses. First-generation cephalosporins have good activity against gram-positive bacteria and are extensively used in horses. There are few reports of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) analysis of cephalosporins in horses. Objective: To optimise the dosages of the two first-generation cephalosporins cephalothin (CET) and cefazolin (CEZ) in horses using PK/PD concepts. Methods: Experimental study with single administration. Methods: Drug plasma concentrations following a single intravenous (i.v.) administration of 22 mg/kg bodyweight (bwt) CET in 12 horses and of 10 mg/kg bwt CEZ in six h...
Variations in haematological and biochemical parameters in healthy ponies. Breed specific reference ranges for selected blood parameters are recommended for proper interpretation of blood tests, but there are only few reports dealing with ponies. The purpose of this study was to investigate if blood parameters differ among ponies' classes and to check if general normal values for equine species are applicable to ponies. Results: All, except total protein concentration, biochemical parameter significantly (p < 0.05) differed among ponies' classes. The most pronounced difference was noted in blood lactate concentrations, higher (p < 0.001) in the sma...
Detection of Ehrlichia sp. in Amblyomma sculptum parasitizing horses from Brazilian Pantanal wetland. Bacteria of the genus Ehrlichia are transmitted by ticks and also are an important cause of infection in wild and domestic mammals. Infection with Ehrlichia spp. has been reported in horses, especially in the USA, Nicaragua and Brazil. In this study, we report the parasitism by Amblyomma sculptum, Rhipicephalus microplus and Dermacentor nitens ticks in horses from a ranch located in south Pantanal wetland. Molecular and serological analyzes to determine infection by Ehrlichia spp. in horses and their respective ticks were carried out. A total of 12 horses were submitted to blood collection to ...
Equine Sarcoids-Causes, Molecular Changes, and Clinicopathologic Features: A Review. Equine sarcoid is the most common skin tumor of horses. Clinically, it occurs as a locally invasive, fibroblastic, wart-like lesion of equine skin, which has 6 clinical classes: occult, verrucose, nodular, fibroblastic, mixed, and malignant. Sarcoids may be single but multiple lesions are more frequent. The typical histological feature is increased density of dermal fibroblasts which form interlacing bundles and whorls within the dermis. Lesions are mostly persistent, resist therapy, and tend to recur following treatment. In general, sarcoids are not fatal but their location, size, and progres...
Validation of standing cone beam computed tomography for diagnosing subchondral fetlock pathology in the Thoroughbred racehorse. Subchondral bone pathology is common in Thoroughbred racehorses and believed to precede more serious injury. Early identification of pathology is critical to allow for intervention. Objective: To determine interobserver variability of fetlock subchondral bone lesions using cone beam and fan beam computed tomography (CBCT, FBCT) and to validate a robotics-controlled CBCT to identify fetlock subchondral bone pathology in the Thoroughbred racehorse. Methods: Prospective cohort study. Methods: FBCT and CBCT images were acquired of 25 metacarpo-/metatarsophalangeal joints of Thoroughbred racehorses...
Expression of the Wilms’ tumour gene and its association with PPARβ/δ in healthy skin and melanoma of horses. The Wilms' tumour gene (WT1) has previously been described as an oncogene in several neoplasms of humans, including melanoma, and its expression increases cancer cell proliferation. Recent reports associate the expression of the PPARβ/δ gene (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor beta/delta) with the downregulation of WT1 in human melanoma and murine melanoma cell lines. The aim of this work was to analyse the expression of WT1 and its association with PPARβ/δ in samples of healthy and melanoma-affected skin of horses by immunohistochemistry. WT1 protein expression was detected in hea...
The effects of an alpha-2-adrenoceptor agonist, antagonist, and their combination on the blood insulin, glucose, and glucagon concentrations in insulin sensitive and dysregulated horses. Alpha-2-adrenoceptor agonists are sedatives that can cause fluctuations in serum insulin and blood glucose (BG) concentrations in horses. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of detomidine and vatinoxan on BG, insulin, and glucagon concentrations in horses with and without insulin dysregulation (ID). In a blinded cross-over design, eight horses with ID and eight horses without ID were assigned to each of four treatments: detomidine (0.02 mg/kg; DET), vatinoxan (0.2 mg/kg; VAT), detomidine + vatinoxan (DET + VAT), and saline control (SAL). Blood samples were taken at 0, ...
Detecting acute kidney injury in horses by measuring the concentration of symmetric dimethylarginine in serum. Acute kidney injury (AKI) in horses may develop as a complication of a primary disease or following the administration of nephrotoxic drugs, and may pose a diagnostic challenge. Hence, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the concentrations and diagnostic significance of serum symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) and conventional renal dysfunction biomarkers in healthy horses, horses at risk of developing AKI, and horses with clinically evident AKI. A second aim was to assess how gastrointestinal disease and exposure to potentially nephrotoxic drugs affected SDMA levels. Thirty health...
Assessment of clinical and microbiota responses to fecal microbial transplantation in adult horses with diarrhea. Fecal microbial transplantation (FMT) is empirically implemented in horses with colitis to facilitate resolution of diarrhea. The purpose of this study was to assess FMT as a clinical treatment and modulator of fecal microbiota in hospitalized horses with colitis. A total of 22 horses with moderate to severe diarrhea, consistent with a diagnosis of colitis, were enrolled at two referral hospitals (L1: n = 12; L2: n = 10). FMT was performed in all 12 patients on 3 consecutive days at L1, while treatment at L2 consisted of standard care without FMT. Manure was collected once daily for 4 days fro...
Importance of broth-enrichment culture in equine endometritis diagnosis. The objective of this study was to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of the standard microbiological protocol to assure the evaluation of bacterial endometritis in the equine clinical practice. Four hundred fifty-two equine uterine swabs were seeded on different types of agar plates and then in a broth-enrichment (Brain Heart Infusion Broth) before plating by using the same media the day after. The prevalence of positivity was 33.7% following direct plating and 66.3% following use of added enrichment-broth phase before seeding on solid media. Furthermore, the prevalence of isolated bacteria ...
Intrauterine infusion of killed semen adversely affects uterine blood flow and endometrial gene expression of inflammatory cytokines in mares susceptible to persistent breeding-induced endometritis. Persistent breeding-induced endometritis (PBIE) is a leading cause of infertility in mares. The objective of the study was to assess genital perfusion and endometrial gene expression of inflammatory cytokines in mares classified as susceptible (n = 5) or resistant (n = 5) to PBIE. Ten mares were examined daily during estrus until 6 d after hCG-induced ovulation for two estrous cycles. Twenty-four hours after application of 1500 IU hCG, 4 mL of killed (by repeated freezing in liquid nitrogen and thawing at 50 °C) deep-frozen semen or sterile saline was instilled into the uterine body an...
A Review of Methods for Detecting Soreness in Horses During the last century and today, the Tennessee walking horse has been used primarily for pleasure and show competition. Unique and natural to the breed is a smooth four-beat “running walk” gait. In the 1950s the accentuated or exaggerated running walk, known as the “big lick” became popular at high-level competitions. The combination of exaggerated high-action step in front and long stride behind is still considered desirable in today's horse show competitions, and it is often achieved through soring. Soring is the practice of applying a substance or mechanical device to the lower li...
Evaluation of Overground Endoscopy Findings in Colombian Criollo Paso Horses. The dynamic upper airway functional (URT) problems of Colombian paso horses (CPH) have not been investigated in literature up to date. These horses perform special walking gaits with high poll flexion of the neck. Our goal is to evaluate the upper airway mechanics in CPH, showing abnormal respiratory sounds and poor performance during exercise. Resting and overground endoscopy was performed in 40 CPHs. Statistical analyses were performed using the sciPy package. One-tailed Fisher exact tests were used to check for positive contingency between each pair of upper respiratory tract disorder (P < ...
Relationship between atrial fibrillatory rate based on analysis of a modified base-apex surface electrocardiogram analysis and the results of transvenous electrical cardioversion in horses with spontaneous atrial fibrillation. To compare the atrial fibrillatory rate (AFR) derived from a local right atrial intracardiac recording (RA-FR) and from a single-lead surface electrocardiogram (ECG) during atrial fibrillation (AF) and to evaluate the correlation with transvenous electrical cardioversion (TVEC) threshold (in Joules), number of shocks and cardioversion success rate in horses. Methods: ECGs and clinical records of horses with AF treated by TVEC. Horses were included if a simultaneous recording of the right atrial intracardiac electrogram and a modified base-apex ECG were available. Methods: Clinical records of h...
Equine synovial fluid small non-coding RNA signatures in early osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis remains one of the greatest causes of morbidity and mortality in the equine population. The inability to detect pre-clinical changes in osteoarthritis has been a significant impediment to the development of effective therapies against this disease. Synovial fluid represents a potential source of disease-specific small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) that could aid in the understanding of the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. We hypothesised that early stages of osteoarthritis would alter the expression of sncRNAs, facilitating the understanding of the underlying pathogenesis and potenti...
Feasibility, indications, and radiographically confirmed diagnoses of standing extremity cone beam computed tomography in the horse. To report on the feasibility, indications, and diagnostic yield of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) of horses' extremities performed under standing sedation. Methods: Retrospective clinical case series. Methods: Fifty-nine CBCT examinations in 58 horses. Methods: Examinations were categorized for indications for CBCT dependent on a suspicion, presence, or absence of a diagnosis prior to CBCT. The number of acquisitions per examination, total time for the examination, diagnostic score of each acquisition (diagnostic, diagnostic-compromised, nondiagnostic), and additional diagnostic informat...
The influence of clinical severity and topical antimicrobial treatment on bacteriological culture and the microbiota of equine pastern dermatitis. Equine pastern dermatitis (EPD) is a common dermatological problem in horses, yet its aetiology and pathogenesis are poorly understood. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of lesion severity and topical antimicrobial treatment on bacterial flora of EPD-affected skin. Methods: Sixteen horses with EPD were investigated. Methods: An observational study was conducted by assigning a clinical severity score ranging from 0 (macroscopically nonlesional) to 21 (severe), and sampling the most and least severely affected limbs of 16 horses (32 limbs) for bacteriological culture and 16S...
Equine colic associated with small intestinal epiploic foramen entrapment. Intestinal epiploic foramen entrapment (EFE) is an important differential diagnosis in horses with colic, but disappointing short- and long-term outcomes are reported in the scientific literature. Many horses are euthanased during surgery due to a predicted poor prognosis or due to uncontrollable intraoperative haemorrhage. The ileum is involved in the majority of cases. Several risk factors for the development of EFE are described; crib-biting/windsucking being the most important one. The recurrence rate of EFE is low despite the described risk factors, probably due to spontaneous closure of ...
Immunological Insights in Equine Recurrent Uveitis. Horses worldwide suffer from equine recurrent uveitis (ERU), an organ-specific, immune-mediated disease with painful, remitting-relapsing inflammatory attacks alternating with periods of quiescence, which ultimately leads to blindness. In course of disease, both eyes can eventually be affected and since blind horses pose a threat to themselves and their surroundings, these animals have to be killed. Therefore, this disease is highly relevant for veterinary medicine. Additionally, ERU shows strong clinical and pathological resemblance to autoimmune uveitis in man. The exact cause for the onset ...
Chronic Collateral Sesamoidean Desmopathy in Draft Horses: Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Histopathological Findings. Desmopathy of the collateral sesamoidean ligament (CSL) is an unusual disorder in draft horses. This study records the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of chronic CSL desmopathy in eight draft horses and confirms these features by histopathology. The recorded chronic CSL desmopathy has usually affected the forelimbs (100%) and commonly bilateral (62.5%). All horses showed positive proximal digital nerve block, positive front digital flexion test, and negative interphalangeal extension test. Radiography revealed no osseous abnormalities in all feet. MRI features of chronic CSL desmopat...
Diagnostic potential of three serum microRNAs as biomarkers for equine sarcoid disease in horses and donkeys. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are potential biomarkers for equine sarcoids (ES). Objective: To assess eca-miR-331, eca-miR-100, and eca-miR-1 as serum biomarkers for ES disease. Methods: Sixty-eight ES cases (56 horses, 12 donkeys), 69 tumor-free controls (60 horses, 9 donkeys), and 20 horses with other skin tumors. Methods: For this case-control study, expression of serum eca-miR-331, eca-miR-100, and eca-miR-1 in ES-affected equids was compared to tumor-free age-, sex-, and breed-matched control horses and donkeys with other skin tumors using reverse transcription quantitative PCR (polymerase chain rea...
Clinical and diagnostic findings, treatment, and short- and long-term survival in horses with peritonitis: 72 cases (2007-2017). To identify etiology, clinical findings, diagnostic results, treatment, and short- and long-term survival and to report factors associated with nonsurvival and survival in horses with peritonitis. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Horses (n = 72). Methods: Medical records at William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital from 2007-2017 were reviewed for horses diagnosed with peritonitis. The essential inclusion criterion was a peritoneal nucleated cell count of ≥25 000 cells/μL. Gastrointestinal rupture and cases in which peritonitis occurred after abdominal surgery or cas...
Precision and spatial variation of cyathostomin mucosal larval counts. Cyathostomins are pervasive parasites of equids across the world. Larval stages encyst in the mucosa of the cecum, ventral and dorsal colon and can induce an inflammatory response leading to larval cyathostominosis, a life-threatening generalized typhlocolitis. Mucosal digestion is the only gold standard procedure for identifying and quantifying all larval stages. There is a lack of standardization of this technique and several aspects are ambiguous, such as precision of the method and the possibility of spatial variation of mucosal larval counts. The aim of this study was to estimate precisio...
The application of a new laminitis scoring method to model the rate and pattern of improvement from equine endocrinopathic laminitis in a clinical setting. Endocrinopathic, or hyperinsulinaemia-associated laminitis (HAL) is a common and debilitating equine foot disease, and although no pharmacological treatments are registered, several are under development. To evaluate the effect of such treatments, an accurate and consistent method is needed to track the clinical signs of laminitis over time, and the natural history of the disease, in terms of a 'normal' pattern of improvement, needs to be understood. This study examined the improvement pattern in clinical cases of naturally-occurring HAL subjected to a range of best-practice interventions, usi...
Applicability of commercial clinical chemistry test kits for horse serum. Validation of a test method is critical for confirming that the test can generate accurate and precise data. Although commercial biochemical test kits exist there are no specific and validated commercial clinical chemistry test kits designed for horses. The aim of this study was to validate commercial clinical chemistry test kits designed for a human serum for use in horses. Results: Blood samples were collected from 29 apparently healthy adult male horses and pooled serum was prepared. Validation comprises replication and recovery experiments. Total observable error (TE), sigma (σ) metrics, ...
Changes of microbial and metabolome of the equine hindgut during oligofructose-induced laminitis. Laminitis is a common and serve disease which caused by inflammation and pathological changes of the laminar junction. However, the pathologic mechanism remains unclear. In this study we aimed to investigate changes of the gut microbiota and metabolomics in oligofructose-induced laminitis of horses. Results: Animals submitted to treatment with oligofructose had lower fecal pH but higher lactic acid, histamine, and Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in serum. Meanwhile, oligofructose altered composition of the hindgut bacterial community, demonstrated by increasing relative abundance of Lactobacillus and...
Evaluation of a novel ambulatory electrocardiogram monitor (the Carnation Ambulatory Monitor) for use in horses. Short-term electrocardiogram (ECG) examinations of horses may not detect paroxysmal arrhythmias. Twenty-four hour Holter equipment can be unwieldy and inconvenient for long-term use. This study evaluated a novel long-term ECG patch recorder, the Carnation Ambulatory Monitor (CAM) in horses, determining ideal placement, practicality, durability and performance. Methods: Twenty-one adult mixed-breed horses. Methods: Prospective observational study. Three horses had ECG patches fitted at selected sites (phase 1); the two most promising sites were used for further wear testing (phase 2) and the b...
