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Journal of veterinary internal medicine2004; 18(1); 92-97; doi: 10.1892/0891-6640(2004)18<92:amirao>2.0.co;2

Airway mucus in recurrent airway obstruction–short-term response to environmental challenge.

Abstract: Mucus accumulation and neutrophilic inflammation in the airways are hallmarks of heaves. Endoscopically visible mucus accumulations, however, have not been studied during exposure to dusty hay and allergens (ie, environmental challenge). We hypothesized that (1) heaves-affected horses have increased mucus accumulation compared with controls, (2) mucus accumulations increase in heaves-affected horses during environmental challenge, and (3) environmental challenge also induces neutrophilic inflammation and mucus accumulation in control horses. Mucus accumulation was graded endoscopically (mucus grades [MGs] 1-5), and airway inflammation was evaluated by bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cytology before (0 hours) and during (6, 24, 48 hours) environmental challenge. Large amounts of mucus (MG 4-5) were specific for heaves-affected horses in this study. Variation among controls was considerable, however, and intermediate grades (MG 2-3) were nonspecific, showing complete overlap between the 2 groups. Median mucus accumulations (25th, 75th percentiles) increased in heaves-affected horses from MG 2.5 (1.5, 3.5) at baseline to MG 3.5 (2.0, 4.0), 4.0 (3.0, 4.0), and 4.0 (4.0, 4.0) at 6, 24, and 48 hours, respectively. MG values did not increase in controls--overall MG 1.0 (1.0, 2.0)--even though controls also showed a moderate increase of BALF neutrophils. Mucus accumulations before and especially after exposure to dust and allergens are increased in heaves-affected horses compared with controls. Healthy controls show considerable variability in mucus accumulation but, despite an influx of neutrophils into the airways, no increase of mucus accumulation after exposure to hay dust.
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Publication Date: 2004-02-10 PubMed ID: 14765737DOI: 10.1892/0891-6640(2004)18<92:amirao>2.0.co;2Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support
  • U.S. Gov't
  • Non-P.H.S.

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article investigates the relationship between exposure to environmental allergens and the production of mucus in the airways of horses, specifically those suffering from recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) or ‘heaves’. The study found that horses affected by RAO show significant increase in mucus production following exposure to dusty hay and allergens, compared to healthy horses.

Objective of the Study

  • The research aimed to assess the severity of mucus accumulation and inflammation in the airways of horses afflicted with RAO, particularly under exposure to dusty hay and other environmental allergens.
  • The study hypothesized that RAO-affected horses show a substantial increase in mucus accumulation compared to healthier counterparts, this accumulation significantly increases following exposure to environmental allergens, and this exposure induces inflammation and mucus accumulation in healthy horses as well.

Methodology and Procedures

  • The researchers graded the accumulation of mucus endoscopically on a scale of 1-5 (mucus grades [MGs]), and evaluated airway inflammation through the analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cytology. This was done pre (0 hours) and during (6, 24, 48 hours) allergen exposure.
  • A primary characteristic of horses with RAO was large amounts of mucus (MG 4-5).
  • Horses unaffected by RAO were also evaluated. Although there was a substantial variation among this group, intermediate grades (MG 2-3) similarly showed an overlap between the two types of horses.

Results and Findings

  • The average mucus accumulation increased in horses with RAO from MG 2.5 (hour 0) to MG 3.5 (hour 6), MG 4.0 (hour 24), and MG 4.0 (hour 48).
  • In contrast, the mucus grade did not increase in the control group, maintaining an overall MG 1.0, even though these horses also indicated a moderate increase of BALF neutrophils (which shows inflammation).
  • The results hence demonstrated that mucus accumulation amplified in RAO-affected horses compared to healthy horses, particularly after exposure to dusty hay and allergens.
  • Healthy horses demonstrated considerable variability in mucus accumulation but showed no increase in mucus accumulation following exposure to hay dust, even with the influx of neutrophils into the airways.

Cite This Article

APA
Gerber V, Lindberg A, Berney C, Robinson NE. (2004). Airway mucus in recurrent airway obstruction–short-term response to environmental challenge. J Vet Intern Med, 18(1), 92-97. https://doi.org/10.1892/0891-6640(2004)18<92:amirao>2.0.co;2

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 0891-6640
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 18
Issue: 1
Pages: 92-97

Researcher Affiliations

Gerber, V
  • Pulmonary Laboratory, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1314, USA. gerbervi@cvm.msu.edu
Lindberg, A
    Berney, C
      Robinson, N E

        MeSH Terms

        • Airway Obstruction / physiopathology
        • Airway Obstruction / veterinary
        • Allergens
        • Animals
        • Bronchi / metabolism
        • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / cytology
        • Bronchoscopy / veterinary
        • Case-Control Studies
        • Female
        • Horse Diseases / physiopathology
        • Horses
        • Inhalation Exposure
        • Male
        • Mucus / cytology
        • Recurrence
        • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / physiopathology
        • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / veterinary

        Citations

        This article has been cited 26 times.
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