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Topic:Intestinal Pathology
Intestinal pathology in horses encompasses a range of disorders affecting the structure and function of the equine gastrointestinal tract. These conditions can include inflammatory, infectious, obstructive, and degenerative diseases that impact the intestines. Common intestinal pathologies in horses include colitis, enteritis, and intestinal torsion, each with distinct histopathological features and clinical presentations. Diagnostic approaches often involve clinical examination, imaging techniques, and histological analysis to identify the underlying pathology. This page aggregates peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the etiology, diagnosis, and management of intestinal pathologies in equine medicine.
Longitudinal Changes in Fecal Microbiota During Hospitalization in Horses With Different Types of Colic. Research on fecal microbiota changes during hospitalization of horses with colic is emerging. Objective: Describe changes of the fecal microbiota during hospitalization of horses with colic caused by inflammatory (INFL), simple (SIMPLE), and strangulated (STR) obstructions, and investigate associations with survival. Methods: Twenty-three horses with colic: 9 in INFL, 5 in STR, and 9 in SIMPLE groups. Seventeen horses survived, and 6 were euthanized. Methods: Prospective observational study. Fecal samples were collected on admission (D1), on days 3 (D3) and 5 (D5). Bacterial taxonomy profiling...
Dietary supplementation of new-born foals with free nucleotides positively affects neonatal diarrhoea management. Foals commonly experience diarrhoea in the first weeks of life. Although this condition is rarely life-threatening, it can have significant health consequences. This study investigated whether new-born foals can benefit from a dietary supplement of nucleotides, as already demonstrated in other species. Dietary nucleotides have positive effects on rapidly proliferating tissues and are considered "semi-essential nutrients" since cells have only a limited capacity to synthesize these compounds. The aim of this study was to investigate whether providing foals with a dietary nucleotide supplementat...
Characterising equine abdominal lipomata: Can histological features improve the understanding of pathogenesis and risk? Strangulating lipomata are the most common cause of small intestinal strangulating obstruction. Evaluation of histological features of pathological and non-pathological lipomata, and the histological properties of omental and retroperitoneal fat have not been described. Objective: To characterise histological features of equine abdominal lipomata, omental and retroperitoneal adipose tissue, and associations between them. Methods: Prospective observational anatomic (gross and histological). Methods: Horses undergoing emergency laparotomy for management of abdominal pain in a single hospital wer...
Iatrogenic cecal perforation after abdominal drain placement on a horse. A 16-year-old, French saddlebred horse was referred for examination because of colic signs, diagnosed with incarceration of the jejunum in a mesoduodenic rent, and subsequently treated surgically (with an end-to-end anastomosis of the jejunum and an enterotomy of the pelvic flexure). The horse initially recovered without complications; however, on the following day, it exhibited moderate signs of endotoxemia and severe serosanguineous discharge from the abdominal wound. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed substantial peritoneal effusion, necessitating the placement of an abdominal drain. The bl...
Ultrasound-guided celiac plexus block increases intestinal motility in normal horses. To describe a technique for ultrasound-guided celiac plexus block in horses and characterize its effect on intestinal motility in healthy horses. Methods: This study was conducted from January 2022 through June 2022. In phase 1 (dye study), an ultrasound-guided technique was optimized, and dye deposition around the celiac plexus branches was evaluated via postmortem dissection in 6 horses. In phase 2 (experimental study), 6 healthy horses were fasted and sedated with 0.6 mg/kg xylazine, IV (experiment 1). After a washout period, the ultrasound-guided celiac plexus block with lidocaine 1% (1.3 ...
Australian guidelines for equine internal parasite management. Over the past few decades, the emergence of resistance amongst intestinal parasites of horses to all available anthelmintic classes has emphasised the need for a paradigm shift in parasite control approaches within the Australian equine industry. Findings of a recent Australia-wide research project have provided new insights into intestinal parasites (i.e. strongyles and ascarids) and parasite control from the perspectives of Australian horse breeders and equine veterinarians. The published data have revealed recent trends in parasite prevalence and distribution, breeders' and veterinarians' a...
Profiling host- and parasite-derived miRNAs associated with Strongylus vulgaris infection in horses. The equine bloodworm, Strongylus vulgaris, is a common and highly pathogenic parasite in horses due to its migratory life cycle involving the intestinal arteries. Current diagnostic techniques cannot detect the prepatent migrating stages of S. vulgaris, highlighting the need for new biomarkers. Parasites release microRNAs (miRNAs) into their environment, which could potentially be detectable in host blood samples. Additionally, host miRNA expression patterns may change in response to infection. This study aimed to identify miRNAs associated with S. vulgaris infection by profiling the horse's m...
Mare milk and fermented mare milk alleviate dextran sulfate sodium salt-induced ulcerative colitis in mice by reducing inflammation and modulating intestinal flora. Mare milk (MM) and fermented mare milk (FM) are specialized animal milks with high nutritional value, containing a variety of functionally active substances that are capable of resisting inflammatory responses and oxidative stress. However, little relevant research on the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis has been performed. This study aimed to investigate the effects of MM and FM on the prevention of dextran sulfate sodium salt (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis in a mouse model and to preliminarily elucidate the underlying mechanisms. The results showed that MM and FM had different degrees...
Reference intervals for equine fecal calprotectin and calprotectin:protein ratio and preliminary clinical evaluation in horses with colic and colitis. To establish the reference interval (RI) of fecal calprotectin (fCP) and fCP:protein ratio in the feces of healthy horses and demonstrate preliminary clinical utility for the quantification of intestinal inflammation. Methods: Feces were collected from healthy horses (n = 103) and horses with colic (n = 15) or colitis (n = 13). Feces were suspended in buffer to create fecal supernatant. Fecal calprotectin concentration was determined by ELISA, fecal total protein concentration was determined by bicinchoninic acid assay, and the fCP:protein ratio was calculated. Reference intervals for fCP and ...
Case report: Incomplete bypass ileocolostomy without partial typhlectomy in five horses with acute, non-reducible cecocolic intussusceptions and review of literature. Cecocolic intussusceptions are a rare condition of acute colic in horses requiring immediate surgical intervention due to persistent uncontrollable pain and ongoing ischemic cecal necrosis. Particularly in cases where reduction of the intussusception is surgically not feasible surgical interventions such as partial typhlectomy through colotomy (partial cecal amputation) combined with or without cecal bypass techniques are described. Alternatively, surgical interventions can also be performed without partial typhlectomy via incomplete bypass ileocolostomy. Information regarding applicable techn...
Assessment of equine intestinal epithelial junctional complexes and barrier permeability using a monolayer culture system. Gastrointestinal disease is a leading cause of death in mature horses. A lack of in vitro modeling has impeded the development of novel therapeutics. The objectives of this study were to develop and further characterize a small intestinal monolayer cell culture derived from equine jejunum including establishing normal measurements of intestinal permeability and restitution. Three-dimensional enteroids, derived from postmortem sampling of equine jejunum, were utilized to develop confluent epithelial monolayers. The presence of differentiated intestinal epithelial cell types and tight junctions ...
Ex vivo comparison of full-thickness biopsy techniques in the equine small intestine. To compare the practicability and tissue sample quality between different intestinal biopsy techniques. Methods: Experimental, randomized ex vivo study. Methods: Small intestine of nine horses. Methods: Four different biopsy techniques were evaluated in the aboral jejunum and the ileum within 1 h after euthanasia. One segment was used as control (C), and the applied techniques included an 8 mm biopsy punch (BP), transverse wedge resection (TW), longitudinal wedge resection with transverse closure (LW) and a longitudinal sample using Eppendorfer biopsy forceps (EF). Defects were closed using ...
Equine coronavirus infection and replication in equine intestinal enteroids. In this study, equine intestinal enteroids (EIEs) were generated from the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum and inoculated with equine coronavirus (ECoV) to investigate their suitability as in vitro models with which to study ECoV infection. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the EIEs were composed of various cell types expressed in vivo in the intestinal epithelium. Quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) and virus titration showed that ECoV had infected and replicated in the EIEs. These results were corroborated by electron microscopy. This study suggests that EIEs can be novel in vitro ...
A Review of Epithelial Ion Transporters and Their Roles in Equine Infectious Colitis. Equine colitis is a devastating disease with a high mortality rate. Infectious pathogens associated with colitis in the adult horse include Clostridioides difficile, Clostridium perfringens, Salmonella spp., Neorickettsia risticii/findlaynesis, and equine coronavirus. Antimicrobial-associated colitis can be associated with the presence of infectious pathogens. Colitis can also be due to non-infectious causes, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug administration, sand ingestion, and infiltrative bowel disease. Current treatments focus on symptomatic treatment (restoring fluid and elect...
Equine Enteric Glial Culture and Application to the Study of a Neural Inflammatory Mechanism in Equine Colic. Inflammatory postoperative conditions of equine colic (acute abdomen) contribute not only to increased client cost, patient discomfort, and hospitalization time, but in many cases, prove to be life-threatening. A unique population of intestinal cells, enteric glia, are increasingly acknowledged for their roles in sensing the gastrointestinal environment and communicating with surrounding cell types. Interactions between enteric glia and intestinal epithelia may prove critical in establishing how equine enteric glia can alter the mucosal barrier to modulate inflammation in health and colic. To ...
Effects of fecal microbiota transplantation on clinical outcomes and fecal microbiota of foals with diarrhea. Diarrhea in foals can be associated with disruption of the intestinal microbiota (dysbiosis). Effective management of intestinal dysbiosis in foals has not been demonstrated. Objective: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in foals with diarrhea influences the intestinal microbiota and improves clinical and clinicopathological outcomes. Methods: Twenty-five foals <6 months of age with diarrhea and systemic inflammatory response syndrome at 3 veterinary hospitals. Methods: A prospective randomized placebo-controlled cohort study. Foals in the FMT group (n = 19) or control group (n =...
Ex vivo comparison of one-layer versus two-layer closures in end-to-end anastomoses in normal equine descending colon. The aim of the study was to evaluate time to closure, bursting pressures and luminal diameters of a single and double-layer end-to-end anastomoses in normal equine descending colon. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: Eight adult horses. Methods: Four segments of descending colon from each horse were randomly assigned to a control (n = 8, CON), one-layer (n = 12, group 1; continuous Lembert pattern), or two-layer group (n = 12, group 2; simple continuous oversewn with Cushing pattern). Anastomoses were performed, and time to closure and luminal diameter were measured. Bursting pr...
Studies in vitro of equine intestinal glucagon-like peptide-2 secretion. Equine insulin dysregulation (ID) is a significant metabolic problem because the hyperinsulinaemia that develops increases the animal's risk of developing laminitis, a debilitating foot condition. The role of gastrointestinal factors, such as incretin hormones, in the pathogenesis of ID and hyperinsulinaemia in horses is poorly understood, particularly in comparison to other species. Glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) is an intestinotrophic peptide released from L cells in the gastrointestinal tract and is implicated in metabolic dysfunction in other species. The aim of this study in vitro was to...
Comparison and characterization of the bacterial microbiota and SIgA production in different gastrointestinal segments in horses. In the gastrointestinal mucosa, there is a close cooperation between secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) and the composition of the microbiota, which aims to maintain homeostasis as well as act as a protective barrier. The purpose of this study was to determine the composition of microbiota and SIgA production in different parts of the digestive tract (small intestine, cecum, colon and rectum) of nine healthy horses and its reflection in the feces. For this purpose, we determined: the composition of the microbiome (by next-generation Sequencing of Hypervariable Regions V3-V4 and V7-V9 of the 16...
Flowmetry and spectrophotometry can detect reduced intestinal microperfusion in nonsurvivors during equine colic surgery for large intestinal strangulation. To evaluate the use of laser Doppler flowmetry and spectrophotometry (LDFS) for large intestinal viability assessment in horses with naturally occurring large intestinal strangulations. Methods: By use of LDFS, intestinal microperfusion was quantified as tissue oxygen saturation (tSo2), hemoglobin (tHB), and blood flow (tBF) in cases with large colon volvulus and small colon strangulations undergoing colic surgery (n = 17). Intestinal biopsies were taken from the pelvic flexure in all large colon cases and in small colon cases that underwent intraoperative euthanasia. Measurements were compare...
Unusual left colon displacement and clockwise torsion in a 10-month-old Arab filly: A case report. In this case report, we present an unusual clockwise torsion of left colon around mesenteric root in a 10-month-old Arab filly, highlighting the clinical presentation, diagnostic approach and successful surgical intervention. A 10-month-old Arab filly weighing approximately 250 kg was referred with signs of acute abdominal pain. The history revealed anorexia, restlessness and severe abdominal pain that had begun the previous day. The local practitioner had previously administered flunixin meglumine, an analgesic, but it proved ineffective in relieving the pain. Upon physical examination, the ...
Systematic evaluation supports the use of ELISA for quantification of calprotectin in equine feces, a first step toward noninvasive quantification of intestinal inflammation in horses. To optimize and evaluate methods for the detection of the inflammatory biomarkers myeloperoxidase (MPO) and calprotectin (CP) in equine feces by ELISA. Methods: Healthy horses (n = 28) and horses with intestinal inflammation (n = 10). Methods: Feces were suspended in buffer to create fecal supernatant. Serum and fecal supernatant were analyzed using ELISA kits validated for the detection of MPO and CP in equine serum. Assay validation steps included intra- and interassay variability (coefficient of variation [CV]), dilution linearity, spike recovery, and sample type correlation. Variations in ...
Flowmetry and spectrophotometry for the assessment of intestinal viability in horses with naturally occurring strangulating small intestinal lesions. Ancillary diagnostic methods to enhance the accuracy of viability assessment have not been established for use in clinical practice. Objective: To assess intestinal microperfusion measured by Laser Doppler Flowmetry and Spectrophotometry (LDFS) in naturally occurring small intestinal strangulations of different origins and to compare this between viable and non-viable segments. Methods: Prospective clinical trial. Methods: Forty horses undergoing colic surgery for naturally occurring small intestinal strangulations were included. Tissue oxygen saturation (tSO), haemoglobin (tHB) and blood flow...
Dry matter concentration, particle size distribution and sand presence in faeces from horses with and without colic. A study comprising 74 colic and 74 control horses admitted to an animal hospital was performed. Faecal samples were collected and analysed for dry matter concentration, particle size distribution using wet-sieving, and sand presence through a sand sedimentation test. Data on horse breed, age, gender and basic feeding variables was collected and analysed using χ-tests. Faecal dry matter concentration, particle size distribution and sand score was compared between colic and non-colic horses, and between horses with different colic types, using one-way ANOVA. Results showed that colic and non-co...
Findings and Prognosis in 149 Horses with Histological Changes Compatible with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disease characterized by different cell infiltrates in the intestine. The aims of this study were to report the clinical and clinicopathological findings in horses with histological changes compatible with IBD in the duodenum. Further, the clinical progression of IBD and survival were investigated. Patient records were reviewed for horses in which histological evidence of IBD was found in duodenal biopsies collected during endoscopy. The histological changes were classified as mild, moderate or severe and the predominant infiltrating cell type was ...
Retrospective evaluation of the effects of a single intraoperative dose of dexamethasone in horses undergoing exploratory laparotomy for small intestinal lesions (2008-2019): 240 cases. To determine the effect of a single intraoperative dose of dexamethasone on the risk of postoperative reflux (POR) in horses undergoing small intestinal surgery and to investigate its association with incisional complications and short-term survival. Methods: Retrospective cohort study over an 11-year period (2008-2019). Methods: UK-based private referral center. Methods: Two hundred and forty client-owned horses >6 months of age undergoing exploratory laparotomy for treatment of a small intestinal lesion. Methods: Ninety-seven horses received a single intraoperative dose of dexamethasone ...
Carbonate buffer mixture and fecal microbiota transplantation hold promising therapeutic effects on oligofructose-induced diarrhea in horses. Diarrhea is a common gastrointestinal disorder in horses, with diet-induced diarrhea being an emerging challenge. This study aimed to investigate the gut microbiota differences in healthy and diet-induced diarrheic horses and evaluate the effectiveness of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and carbonate buffer mixture (CBM) as potential therapeutic approaches. Twenty healthy horses were included in the study, with four groups: Control, Diarrhea, CBM, and FMT. Diarrhea was induced using oligofructose, and fecal samples were collected for microbiota analysis. FMT and CBM treatments were admi...
Measuring tissue oxygen saturation in the orad intestinal segment during equine colic surgery may aid in predicting the occurrence of postoperative ileus. To assess the histological injury and intestinal microperfusion measured by laser Doppler flowmetry and spectrophotometry (LDFS) of the small intestine orad to a strangulation during colic surgery. Methods: Horses with naturally occurring small intestinal strangulations undergoing colic surgery were included. Methods: In this prospective clinical trial, intestinal tissue oxygen saturation (tSO2) and tissue blood flow (tBF) were measured by LDFS orad to the strangulation following release of the strangulation (n = 18). The number of horses with postoperative reflux (POR) and the cases that surv...
Equine enteroid-derived monolayers recapitulate key features of parasitic intestinal nematode infection. Stem cell-derived organoid cultures have emerged as attractive experimental models for infection biology research regarding various types of gastro-intestinal pathogens and host species. However, the large size of infectious nematode larvae and the closed structure of 3-dimensional organoids often hinder studies of the natural route of infection. To enable easy administration to the apical surface of the epithelium, organoids from the equine small intestine, i.e. enteroids, were used in the present study to establish epithelial monolayer cultures. These monolayers were functionally tested by s...
Gut microbiota changes in horses with Chlamydia. Zoonotic diseases pose a significant threat to public health. Chlamydia, as an intracellular pathogen, can colonize the intestinal tract of humans and animals, changing the gut microbiota. However, only a few studies have evaluated alterations in the gut microbiota of horses infected with Chlamydia. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate gut microbiota and serum biochemical indicators in horses with Chlamydial infection (IG) and healthy horses (HG). Fecal and blood samples were collected from 16 horses (IG: 10; HG: 6) before morning feeding for the determination of gut microbiota and serum...
