Equine diseases encompass a wide range of health conditions that can affect horses, including infectious diseases, metabolic disorders, and genetic conditions. These diseases can impact the overall health, performance, and well-being of horses. Common equine diseases include equine influenza, equine herpesvirus, laminitis, and equine metabolic syndrome. Diagnosis and management of these diseases often require a combination of clinical evaluation, laboratory testing, and appropriate treatment strategies. This page gathers peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment options for various equine diseases, providing valuable insights for veterinarians and researchers in the field.
Ramsay WN.The non-haem iron concentration was estimated in post-mortem liver samples from 51 horses (age range 1-25 years). Two were normal and 49 had been suffering from conditions that were not expected to have had long-term effects on iron metabolism. Muscle samples (splenius and biceps femoris) from 23 of these horses were also analysed. There was a highly significant age-related increase in the non-haem iron concentration in the liver (r = 0.635, p < 0.001), but not in the muscles, in which the iron concentration was much lower than in the liver.
Montavon S.The aim of this review is to give the practitioner the ability to be familiar with the echographic exam of ovarian abnormalities. He should be able to recognize different stages of the development of these important structures and to estimate the effect that they can have on the normal cycle of the mare. Various specific criteria and details regarding the equine echography of ovarian abnormalities are reported and illustrated, using the last scientific data published on that particular topic.
Montavon S.Because of the anatomical position of the Corpus luteum within the ovary, rectal palpation is of little value for identification and evaluation. The aim of this review is to familiarize the practitioner with the echographic examination of the Cl. He should be able to recognize different stages of this important structure and to correlate ovulation and the existence of the Cl. Various specific criteria and details regarding equine echography are reported and illustrated, using the the most recently published scientific data.
Ghram A, Chabchoub A, Turki I, Boussetta M, Ibn Amor H, Ghorbel A.A seroepidemiological survey was realized in the Nord-Est Tunisia to study the prevalence of complement fixing and neutralizing antibodies to equine rhinopneumonitis and viral arteritis of horse, respectively. Four hundred sera were tested, using complement fixation reaction and seroneutralization test. The results show that 8.75% of sera have antibodies to viral arteritis and only 1.25% are positive for equine rhinopneumonitis.
Willis P, Caudle AB, Fayrer-Hosken RA.Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to evaluate the fine structure of equine oocytes cultured in vitro. Oocytes obtained by follicular aspiration were cultured for either zero or 15 hr. After treatment oocytes were processed either by light microscopy (nuclear evaluation) or TEM (cytoplasmic evaluation). Those oocytes cultured for 15 hr were incubated in modified TCM 199 with 15% (v/v) mare serum (day of ovulation) at 39 +/- 0.2 degree C. Evaluation using TEM revealed that cortical granules were present in all oocytes. However, zero-time oocytes contained few cortical granules, and...
Spiers S, May SA, Harrison LJ, Bennett D, Edwards GB.Significant amounts of collagenase and caseinase activity were detected in infected synovial fluid samples. Partial characterisation of the enzymes by gel filtration suggested that synovial fluid from cases of infectious arthritis may contain enzymes from both the synovial cells and neutrophils. This finding was also supported by analysis of sequential synovial fluid samples from 4 infected joints. In 3 joints the concentration of caseinase and in 1 joint collagenase paralleled the decline in total nucleated cell count. However, in 3 joints the concentration of collagenase remained high after ...
Waelchli RO, Lutz H, Hermann M, Rüegg C, Eggenberger E.Hematologic reference values were established in 18 healthy foals in the first two months of life. Blood samples were collected prior to colostrum consumption and at 30 hours, 1 week, 3, 5, 7 and 9 weeks of age. PCV, Hb and RBC decreased during the first week and RBC, but not PCV and Hb, increased toward the end of the second month. With the exception of the sample at 1 week, the foals had mean RBC values significantly higher than those of controls. Mean MCV and MCH did not change during the first week, but decreased slightly thereafter; all means were smaller than in controls. The numbers of ...
Scherbarth R, Pózvári M, Heilkenbrinker T, Mumme J.From 1972 to 1991, presecretion on an average of 183 stallions per year had been examined. Facultatively pathogenic germs were ascertained in 13.5% of the samples. However, the portion showed considerable annual fluctuation, as did the percentage of the different kinds of germs. In most of the cases, only minimal growth had been observed in culture. Except for the total percentage, these results are contradictory to those we found during the examination of cervical swabs of mares. In order to ascertain the importance of the respective results and to render possible a correct interpretation, th...
Ginther OJ, Williams D, Curran S.Transrectal ultrasonic examinations were made in 31 pregnant pony mares once a week during Months 6 to 11. Each uterine horn was divided into 3 approximately equal segments (caudal, middle, cranial). The percentage of examinations with cranial fetal presentation increased (P<0.05) progressively from 58% at Month 6 to 99% at Month 9 and was followed in all mares by entry of the fetal hind limbs into one uterine horn. The mean number of uterinehorn segments with limb parts increased (P<0.05) between each set of consecutive months from Month 6 to Month 10. Initially (Months 7 and 8), retrac...
Barr AR, Duance VC, Wotton SF, Waterman AE, Holt PE.Cyanogen bromide was used to solubilise and specifically fragment purified equine Type I and II collagen and equine articular surface repair tissue. The resultant peptides were separated by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and quantified by densitometric scanning. Measurement of the relative amounts of the peptides alpha 2(I) CB3, 5 and alpha 1(II)CB10 provided an accurate method of establishing the ratio of Type I to Type II collagen in mixtures of purified equine collagens. The method was sensitive to 6% Type II collagen when the band areas were corrected for peptid...
Campbell-Thompson M.Equine oxyntic mucosal cells were obtained by sequential exposure to pronase and collagenase. Acid production by parietal cells was assessed by uptake of [14C]aminopyrine (AP), a weak base that accumulates in intracellular acidic spaces. Incubation for various times revealed a maximal AP uptake at 10 minutes for histamine and carbachol. Similar secretagogue responses were observed for parietal cells from the mucosal cell preparation or after enrichment by elutriation. Histamine and isobutyl-methylxanthine (IBMX) stimulated AP uptake with a dose-dependent response and maximal effective concentr...
Sakagami M, Hirota K, Awata T, Yasue H.We have molecularly cloned portions of equine satellite-type DNA and investigated the organization of the DNA sequence of the cloned segments. Sequence analysis and dot-blot analysis, using the cloned sequence (ES200) as a probe, indicate that the satellite-type DNA sequence consists mainly of 221-bp tandem repeats and represents 3.7-11% of the equine genome. Southern blot analysis further shows that (1) no sequences homologous to ES200 exist in the human, swine, and bovine genomes and that (2) the fragment pattern of the satellite-type DNA produced by ApaI cleavage shows a slight difference a...
Dik KJ, Boroffka S, Stolk P.Ultrasonography was used with 6 normal cadaver forelimbs of Dutch Warmblood horses to delineate the ultrasonographic anatomy of the palmar pastern region, with emphasis on the proximal digital annular ligament. Using a 5.5 MHz sector scanner, the thin proximal digital annular ligament was not visible on offset sonograms. Only if the digital sheath in the normal limb was distended was the distal border of this ligament outlined. In all normal limbs the palmarodistal thickness of the combined skin-proximal digital annular ligament layer in the mid-pastern region was 2 mm. The flexor tendons and ...
Donofrio JC, Coonrod JD, Chambers TM.Influenza A is a common respiratory infection of horses, and rapid diagnosis is important for its detection and control. Sensitive detection of influenza currently requires viral culture and is not always feasible. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect DNA produced by reverse transcription of equine influenza in stored nasal secretions, vaccines, and allantoic fluids. Primers directed at a target of 212 bp on conserved segment 7 (matrix gene) of human influenza A/Bangkok/1/79(H3N2) produced amplification products of appropriate size with influenza A/Equine/Prague/1/56 (H7N7), ...
Barr AR, Duance VC, Wotton SF, Waterman AE.The influence of repeated intra-articular injections of sodium hyaluronate and polysulphated glycosaminoglycan on the repair of full-thickness osteochondral defects was examined in the midcarpal joints of ponies. The study showed no significant difference between treated and control groups with regard to total collagen content, uronic acid content or the relative proportions of Type I and Type II collagen in the repair tissue, indicating that the drugs did not affect the biochemical composition of the repair tissue 11 weeks after defect induction.
Morris EA, Treadwell BV.The effect of interleukin 1 (IL-1) on equine articular cartilage was investigated, using a cartilage explant culture system. Measurement of [35S]O4 incorporation revealed synthesis of matrix proteoglycan by cartilage to be decreased 45, 59.7, and 37.5% after 1, 3, and 5 days, respectively, in culture in the presence of 5 U of IL-1/ml. There was no change in proteoglycan degradation as determined by measurement of [35S]O4 release into the culture medium. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of cartilage-conditioned medium indicated that exposure of cartilage to IL-1 caused ...
Wilkins PA, Dewan-Mix S.The efficacy intravenous plasma to transfer passive immunity to clinically healthy colostrum-deprived and clinically ill foals with failure of passive transfer was investigated. Efficacy of transfer was evaluated by the elevation of serum IgG per gram of IgG administered as a function of body weight. Colostrum deprived healthy foals had a significantly greater increase in serum IgG than did clinically ill foals with failure of passive transfer. Knowledge of the IgG content of plasma to be administered and the health status of a foal with failure of passive transfer should allow more accurate p...
Moore BR, Reed SM, Biller DS, Kohn CW, Weisbrode SE.Magnification of cervical radiographs prevents accurate interpretation of vertebral canal absolute minimum sagittal diameter (MSD) values and application of the established MSD values for diagnosis of cervical stenotic myelopathy (CSM). Variability in MSD determination in human beings, owing to radiographic magnification, is minimized by assessing a ratio of the vertebral canal diameter to the sagittal width of the vertebral body. This relative measurement technique improves the accuracy of diagnosis of cervical spinal stenosis in human beings. The MSD of the vertebral canal was determined in ...
Schrenzel MD, Watson JL, Ferrick DA.Genes encoding the horse (Equus caballus) T-cell receptor beta chain (TCRB) were cloned and characterized. Of 33 cDNA clones isolated from the mesenteric lymph node, 30 had functionally rearranged gene segments, and three contained germline sequences. Sixteen unique variable segments (TCRBV), 14 joining genes (TCRBJ), and two constant region genes (TCRBC) were identified. Horse TCRBV were grouped into nine families based on similarity to human sequences. TCRBV2 and TCRBV12 were the most commonly represented horse families. Analysis of predicted protein structure revealed the presence of conser...
Bonass WA, Hudson WA, Elton DM, Killington RA, Halliburton IW.Restriction enzyme digests of DNA from 22 unselected isolates of EHV-1 were analysed by hybridization with cloned DNA fragments covering the genome. In addition to a small amount of inter-strain variation, heterogeneity within strains was observed, caused by loss of specific restriction endonuclease sites in the DNA of a proportion of the virus particles of any one stock. Fifteen strains demonstrated the same intra-strain variation involving loss of the BamHI L-M site which was shown to lie within coding sequence for the large subunit of ribonucleotide reductase. This particular mutation may t...
Lebedev SG, Lebedeva LF.A medium containing egg yolk, mare's milk and/or modified PBS was used to culture Day-8 to 8.5 equine blastocysts. Twenty-one variants of the medium containing different concentrations of the 3 components were prepared. Embryos were recovered nonsurgically and placed into the media at 37 degrees C for 24 h. A total of 45 embryos was cultured; of these 7 died in culture and 13 showed inadequate development at the onset, while 25 continued to grow in the media. It was established that embryos grew best in media containing 20 to 60% yolk, 20 to 60% mare's milk and/or 20 to 60% PBS. It was found e...
Wilkins PA, Vaala WE, Zivotofsky D, Twitchell ED.Equine leukoencephalomalacia (ELEM) affected 6 of 10 pleasure horses in adjacent paddocks at a boarding facility. Four of the 6 affected horses died or were euthanized. Two of 3 horses presented for treatment survived with complete resolution of clinical signs. Treatment was primarily supportive. Dimethyl sulfoxide, dexamethasone, flunixin meglumine and thiamine were administered as anti-inflammatory agents and to decrease or prevent cerebral edema. Fusarium monileforme was cultured from ear corn fed the affected horses. Fumonisin B1, B2 and B3 were isolated.
Arrighi S, Romanello MG, Domeneghini C.The epithelium that lines the ductuli efferentes in the horse, donkey and mule has been examined by electron microscopy. The epithelium consists of columnar ciliated and non-ciliated cells. Lymphocytes and macrophages are also present, together with cells that are rich in lipofuscin. These 'lipofuscin-rich' cells are a peculiar feature of the excurrent ducts of Equidae and are characterized by a large number of highly heterogeneous residual bodies. The general morphology of the epithelium and, in particular, of the non-ciliated cells implies that the epithelium is involved in the absorption an...
Silva GB, De La Côrte FD, Brass KE, Palma HE, Gallio M, Cantarelli C, Bertolin K, Krause A, Wergutz J, Fontanari Krause LM, Antoniazzi AQ.Chondrocyte health is altered when exposed to local anesthetics, raising concerns as to the long-term effects of local anesthetics intra-articularly for diagnosis and analgesia. To investigate the drug with the lowest toxic potential, the effect of ropivacaine and mepivacaine on chondrocytes was evaluated. Articular cartilage from normal metacarpophalangeal joints of five equine cadaver specimens was used to establish chondrocyte cultures. Following seven days, chondrocytes were exposed to standard culture medium (DMEM), ropivacaine 7.5 mg/ml (ROP7.5), ropivacaine 10 mg/ml (ROP10), mepivacaine...
Lee HS, Heo EJ, Jeoung HY, Ko HR, Kweon CH, Youn HJ, Ko YJ.In this study, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using glycoprotein and a monoclonal antibody (MAb) was developed for the detection of antibodies to vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) serotype New Jersey (NJ). The glycoprotein to be used as a diagnostic antigen was extracted from partially purified VSV-NJ, and a neutralizing MAb specific to VSV-NJ was incorporated to compete with antibodies in a blocking ELISA using glycoprotein (GP ELISA). The cutoff of the GP ELISA was set at 40% inhibition, which corresponded to a virus neutralization test (VNT) titer of 32. With this threshold, th...
Connelly C, Norton NA, Hurley DJ, Hart KA, Meichner K, Gogal RM.Peripheral blood is commonly sampled to assess the health status of human and veterinary patients. Venous blood collection is a minimally invasive procedure, and in the horse, the common collection site is the jugular vein. Post blood collection, sample processing for leukocyte enrichment can vary by research laboratory with the potential to yield different effects on the enriched cells and their function. The focus of the present study was to compare a common blood dilution-leukocyte enrichment technique using a Histopaque gradient medium (His) to a modified leukocyte buffy coat syringe-lymph...
Goto H, Shimizu K, Abe T, Kanamitsu M.A serological survey was conducted on horse sera collected for 7 years just before the first outbreak of equine influenza (EI) infection in Japan in 1971. No antibodies against the A/Equi-1/Prague/56 (equi-1) and A/Equi-2/Miami/63 (equi-2) strains of EI virus were detected in any of the sera of 452 native horses when employing hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and complement fixation (CF) tests against viral (V) antigen. On the contrary, of the 80 imported horses, 48 (60.0%) had HI titers of 1:8 or higher against equi-1 and 23 (28.8%) against equi-2. In the CF-V test 42.6% of the horses showed ...
Henry M, Amaral D, Tavares FF, Santos NR.The aim of the present study was to analyse the effect of hydrocoele of the vaginal cavity of stallions on semen characteristics, libido and fertility, and to contribute to the understanding of the aetiopathology of this condition in stallions. Hydrocoele did not substantially affect either the libido or semen characteristics of affected stallions compared with a control group, and had no effect on fertility. However, the protein content of hydrocoelic fluid was significantly higher than that of peritoneal fluid and was lower than the protein content of blood serum. Electrophoretic profiles of...
Stewart GA, Fulton LJ, McKellar CD.Atrial fibrillation is described in a champion pacer which earlier had been named Australian Harness Horse of the Year as a 3-year-old in 1986-87. Prior to conversion atrial fibrillation had been present for at least 6 weeks, during which the horse had not raced. Successful treatment was achieved with two 10g doses of quinidine sulphate per oesophageal tube, after slow digitalisation with intravenous digoxin over 4d. Four hours after commencement of quinidine therapy the arrhythmia had regressed to atrial flutter and converted to sinus rhythm 10 min later. Considering his age, standard of raci...
Gondim FJ, Modolo LV, Campos GE, Salgado I.Mammalian skeletal muscle expresses splice variants of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). Skeletal muscles have a metabolically heterogeneous population of myofibers, and fiber composition in equine skeletal muscle is correlated with athletic ability in endurance events. In this study, we investigated whether nNOS expression in equine skeletal muscle is related to fiber type and endurance training. Biopsy samples obtained from the gluteus medius of sedentary- (SH) and endurance-trained (TH) horses were examined for the electrophoretic mobility of myosin heavy chain (MHC) and NOS activity. ...
Stewart AJ, Wright JC, Behrend EN, Martin LG, Kemppainen RJ, Busch KA.To determine the lowest ACTH dose that would induce a significant increase in serum cortisol concentration and identify the time to peak cortisol concentration in healthy neonatal foals. Methods: Prospective randomized crossover study. Methods: 11 healthy neonatal foals. Methods: Saline (0.9% NaCl) solution or 1 of 4 doses (0.02, 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 μg/kg [0.009, 0.045, 0.114, and 0.227 μg/lb]) of cosyntropin (synthetic ACTH) was administered IV. Serum cortisol concentrations were measured before and 10, 20, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, and 240 minutes after administration of cosyntropin or saline s...
Faber E, Tshilwane SI, Van Kleef M, Pretorius A.Expanding on our previous work, this study used transcriptome analysis of RNA sequences to investigate the various factors that contributed to either inducing apoptosis that resulted in cell death or promoting the survival of African horse sickness virus serotype 4 (AHSV4)-infected horse peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) after 24 h. Apoptosis is a host defense mechanism that prevents virus replication, accumulation and spread of progeny viruses. AHSV4-infected PBMC were killed via the intrinsic and the perforin/granzyme pathways of apoptosis during the attenuated AHSV4 (attAHSV4) in v...
Rutkowski JA, Richardson DW.The records of 100 horses with clinical or radiographic diagnosis of a pelvic fracture were reviewed to determine prognostic indicators associated with clinical signs or radiographic fracture characteristics. Degree of lameness, soft tissue swelling, crepitis, muscle atrophy, skeletal external assymetry and palpable assymetry on rectal examination were evaluated. There was no significant relationship between the aforementioned clinical signs and the long-term cause outcome. Fracture sites or presence of an acetabular fracture were not related to prognosis. The positive outcome of 77 per cent o...
Zantingh AJ, Ducharme NG, Mitchell LM, Cheetham J.To determine the effects of hypoglossal nerve block and electrical stimulation of the thyrohyoideus muscles on position of the larynx and hyoid apparatus in resting horses. Methods: 16 healthy horses that underwent hypoglossal nerve block and 5 healthy horses that underwent electrical stimulation of the thyrohyoideus muscles. Methods: Horses underwent bilateral hypoglossal nerve block or electrical stimulation of the thyrohyoideus muscles. Positions of the basihyoid bone, ossified part of the thyroid cartilage, and articulations of the thyrohyoid bones and thyroid cartilage were determined in ...
Cordes V, Lüpke M, Gardemin M, Seifert H, Staszyk C.In equine dentistry periodontal diseases, especially periapical inflammation, are frequently occurring problems. Anachoresis is believed to be the most common cause for the development of such disorders. Nevertheless, there is still no substantiated explanation why settlement of pathogen microorganisms occurs in equine periodontal tissues. It is expected that excessive strains and stresses occurring in the periodontal ligament (PDL) during the horse's chewing cycle might be a predisposing factor. In this study this assumption was examined by finite element (FE) analyses on virtual 3-D models o...
Stewart F, Maher JK.The number of genes encoding the common alpha-subunit and hormone-specific beta-subunits of the equine gonadotrophins (FSH, LH and CG) were investigated in the horse (Equus caballus), donkey (E. asinus) and 2 horse x donkey hybrids (the mule and hinny). The Southern technique, involving restriction enzyme digestion, blotting and DNA hybridization to 32P-labelled DNA probes was used to estimate the copy number for each gene and to assess the extent to which equids resemble primates, the only other animals that secrete a CG during pregnancy. These methods indicated that, in common with mammals, ...
Baker WT, Slone DE, Lynch TM, Johnson CR, Baker WA.To evaluate the racing and sales performance of Thoroughbred horses with varus angular limb deformities of the carpus treated by unilateral or bilateral single transphyseal screw (STS) placement. Methods: Case series. Methods: Thoroughbred horses (n=53). Methods: Medical records (January 1, 2005-December 31, 2006) of yearling Thoroughbreds treated for carpal angular limb deformity by transphyseal screw insertion in the distal aspect of the radius were reviewed. Retrieved data were sex, surgery, and screw removal dates, surgical site, appearance, limb(s) affected, type of angular limb deformity...
Lefranc A-, Allen WR.The morphology and surface density of endometrial glands responsible for the nutrition of the placenta requires further study employing computer assisted morphometric analysis. Objective: To analyse changes in the morphology and surface density of endometrial glands situated adjacent to, and remote from, the conceptus during the first 30 days of gestation. Methods: Endometrial biopsies were recovered, under videoendoscopic control, from both nonpregnant and pregnant mares 12 days after ovulation, as well as from pregnant mares on Days 16, 20, 25 and 30 of gestation. One biopsy was taken at the...
Arabian AK, Lanovaz JL, Clayton HM.Determination of net joint moments and powers requires accurate measurements of mass and centre of mass (COM) for the limb segments. The objective of this research was to develop regression equations for calculating mass and COM of the hoof segment that are applicable over a wide range of hoof morphologies. Ninety-one hooves (mean +/- s.d. 0.99 +/- 0.50 kg) were weighed and the 3-dimensional COM determined using a mass balance technique. Ten morphological variables were measured and used as independent variables in linear regressions with dependent variables of mass and centre of mass. The reg...
Galuppo LD, Stover SM, Jensen DG, Willits NH.To compare drilling, tapping, and screw-insertion torque, force, and time for the 4.5-mm AO and 6.5-mm Acutrak Plus (AP) bone screws, and to compare the mechanical shear strength and stiffness of a simulated complete lateral condylar fracture of the equine third metacarpal bone (MC3) stabilized with either an AO or AP screw. Methods: In vitro biomechanical assessment of screw-insertion variables, and shear failure tests of a bone-screw-stabilized simulated lateral condylar fracture. Methods: Eight pairs of cadaveric equine MC3s Methods: Metacarpi were placed in a fixture and centered on a biax...
Kernot N, Butler R, Randle H.Conditions of the equine caudal neck (C5-C7) are thought to be associated with various clinical signs. However, little investigation has been undertaken to isolate clinical indicators associated with specific conditions of the equine caudal cervical spine. This systematic review aimed to evaluate associations of clinical signs with anatomical malformation of caudal cervical vertebrae, spinal cord compression of the caudal cervical spine, and arthropathy of the caudal cervical articular process joints (APJs). A literature search was carried out using Google Scholar in accordance with PRISMA (Pr...
Arden WA, Stick JA, Parks AH, Chou CC, Slocombe RF.Physiologic effects of 1 hour of ischemia and 1 hour of reperfusion on equine jejunum and protective effects of systemic administration of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO, 1 g/kg of body weight) were investigated in 18 ponies, using neurally intact segments of jejunum perfused at constant flow with heparinized blood. Ponies were allotted to 4 groups: group 1, saline solution administered (control, n = 3); group 2, DMSO administered (DMSO, n = 3); group 3, ischemia induced and saline solution administered (ischemia, n = 6); and group 4, ischemia induced and DMSO administered (ischemia-DMSO, n = 6). In...
O'Donnell MM, Harris HM, O'Toole PW, Ross RP.We report the draft genome sequence of Lactobacillus equi strain DPC6820, isolated from equine feces. L. equi is a predominant Lactobacillus species in the horse hindgut microbiota. An examination of the genome identified genes and enzymes highlighting L. equi adaptations to the herbivorous gastrointestinal tract of the horse, including fructan hydrolases. This genome sequence may help us further understand the microbial ecology of the equine hindgut and the influence lactobacilli have on it.
Wauters J, Pille F, Martens A, Franck T, Serteyn D, Gasthuys F, Meyer E.Equine joint infection is a life-threatening disorder, and confirmation of the diagnosis can be difficult. Synovial fluid biomarkers may assist the discrimination between infectious and noninfectious joint disease. Objective: This study investigates whether the immunological detection of total and enzymatically active myeloperoxidase (MPO) assists the diagnosis of joint infection in horses. Methods: The following 4 sample groups were included: healthy; osteochondritis dissecans (OCD); traumatic synovitis; and culture-confirmed infected joints. Synovial fluid was analysed for total MPO by a hor...
Boldt E.Horses 15 years of age and older now account for a significant portion of the equine population. Integrative therapies can provide important diagnostic and treatment tools for managing and maintaining the health of geriatric horses. Aged horses are often afflicted with chronic disease processes that are difficult to effectively manage with conventional medicinal approaches, such as laminitis and osteoarthritis. Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches using integrative therapies, such as acupuncture and spinal manipulation, are presented in this article for managing aged horses with metabolic dis...
Lescun TB, Hawkins JF, Siems JJ.A 6-month-old warmblood filly had traumatic rupture in the gastrocnemius and superficial digital flexor muscles of the left hind limb. A modified Thomas splint-cast combination, which was custom fitted to the limb, was placed to prevent further disruption of the caudal reciprocal apparatus. The external coaptation device was removed after 21 days. The horse developed lesions consistent with osteochondrosis of the femoropatellar articulation within 8 weeks of the initial injury. Examination of the horse 6 months after injury revealed fibrous healing of the muscles and restoration of caudal reci...
Hill AE, Carpenter TE, Gardner IA, Stover SM.To evaluate a Markov-chain model for the development of forelimb injuries in Thoroughbreds and to use the model to determine effects of reducing sprint distance on incidence of metacarpal condylar fracture (CDY) and severe suspensory apparatus injury (SSAI). Methods: Weekly exercise and injury data for 122 Thoroughbreds during racing or training. Methods: Weekly data were used to construct a Markov-chain model with 5 states (uninjured [UNINJ], palpable suspensory apparatus injury [PSAII, SSAI, CDY, and lost to follow-up [LOST]). Transition probabilities between UNINJ and PSAI were estimated as...
Fontanals AM, Becú T, Polledo G, Gaskin CK, Braun M.An R. equi vaccine, prepared under conditions which induce the expression of many antigens, and which has given encouraging results in field trials, was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblots and compared with other R. equi preparations: a preparation made in with the same technique from a nonvirulent isolate (virulence associated protein negative, VapA-negative); a whole cell preparation of a VapA-positive R. equi, prepared as a standard bacterin; and a semipurified VapA preparation (APTX). The antigens in these preparations were analyzed using hyperimmune sera (from adult horses vaccinated wit...
Matczuk AK, Chodaczek G, Ugorski M.Equine arteritis virus (EAV) is a prototype member of the Arterivirus family, comprising important pathogens of domestic animals. Minor glycoproteins of Arteriviruses are responsible for virus entry and cellular tropism. The experimental methods for studying minor Arterivirus proteins are limited because of the lack of antibodies and nested open reading frames (ORFs). In this study, we generated recombinant EAV with separated ORFs 3 and 4, and Gp3 carrying HA-tag (Gp3-HA). The recombinant viruses were stable on passaging and replicated in titers similar to the wild-type EAV. Gp3-HA was incorpo...
Pressanto MC, Pascoletti G, Perkins JD, Zanetti EM, Beccati F, Santalucia V, Pepe M.To validate the use of a polyblend tape suture in equine laryngoplasty (PL). Methods: Experimental study. Methods: Thirty-two cadaveric larynges. Methods: Each larynx was randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups: PL with polyblend tape suture (TigerTape), without (TT) or with a cannula (TTC) in the muscular process of the arytenoid cartilage, and PL with polyester suture (Ethibond), without (EB) or with a cannula (EBC). Construct stiffness, total migration, creep, and drift values were measured after 3000 cycles. The specimens were then loaded to failure to assess their residual properties: load a...
Wattle OS.To determine whether there is a change in the expression of cytokeratins in the epidermal cells of the non-weight-bearing parts of the limb in horses with acute laminitis and thus determine whether the morphologic changes that develop in the periople and chestnut (torus carpeus) of horses early in acute laminitis are caused by inhibition of keratinocyte differentiation. Methods: 8 horses with acute laminitis. Methods: Tissue specimens were obtained from the chestnuts of all 8 horses and from the stratum externum of the hoof wall of 3 horses. Tissue specimens were obtained within 48 hours of th...
Apprich V, Licka T, Freiler S, Gabriel C.Impaired keratinocyte differentiation has recently been suggested as a key event in equine hoof canker development. Koilocytotic appearance of keratinocytes, one of the most characteristic morphological alterations in hoof canker tissue, is also a common marker for papillomavirus (PV) infection, and bovine PV-1 and/or -2 (BPV-1/2) has previously been detected in equine canker patients. Therefore, the present study aimed to correlate the frequency and severity of koilocytotic keratinocytes with BPV detection in hoof canker samples. Hoof tissue of 5/18 canker-affected horses and 2/6 control hors...
Sindak N, Kandemir L, Yertürk M, Biricik HS.To determine physiologic levels of tear production in Arabian (AH) and throughbred horses (TH) by using phenol red thread test (PRT). Methods: The study was performed on 16 AH and 14 TH, ranging from 2.5 to 24 years of age, housed in a stable situated in the Sanliurfa of Turkey. Methods: For the measurement of PRT, the strip was placed under the lower eyelid approximately one-third the distance from the temporal to nasal canthus and left for 15 s. The length of the wet area was measured in mm and compared among breed, sex, and age groups and between eyes of both sides. Results: The mean length...
