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Journal of veterinary internal medicine2021; 36(1); 285-291; doi: 10.1111/jvim.16333

Airway remodeling in horses with mild and moderate asthma.

Abstract: There is a remodeling of the central airways in horses with severe asthma but whether a similar process occurs in horses with the mild or moderate asthma (MMA) is unknown. Objective: To evaluate lesions affecting the central airways of horses with MMA. Methods: Twelve horses with MMA and 8 control horses. Methods: Case-control retrospective study of horses classified as MMA affected or controls based on history and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytology. Endobronchial biopsies were analyzed using histomorphometry and a semiquantitative histologic scoring system. Results: Histomorphometry identified epithelial hyperplasia (47 μm /μm [34-57 μm /μm]; P = .02), a thickened lamina propria (166 μm [73-336 μm]; P = .04), and smooth muscle fibrosis (42% [33%-78%]; P = .04) in horses with MMA when compared to controls horses (24 μm /μm [21-80 μm /μm]; 76 μm [36-176 μm]; and 33% [26%-52%], respectively). The semiquantitative score results indicated, in horses with MMA, the presence of epithelial hyperplasia (7 of the 12 horses with MMA and only 1 of the 8 control horses had a score of 1/1), and submucosal inflammatory leucocytes in the central airway (11 of the 12 horses with MMA and only 4 of the 8 control horses had a score ≥ 1/2). Conclusions: Tissue remodeling of the bronchial lamina propria, epithelium, and smooth muscle was present in horses with MMA.
© 2021 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
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Publication Date: 2021-12-08 PubMed ID: 34877706PubMed Central: PMC8783337DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16333Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

This research shows that horses suffering from mild to moderate asthma display an alteration in the structure of their central airways, a process known as airway remodeling. This process, already known to occur in horses with severe asthma, was evaluated in horses with less severe asthma, shedding light on its characteristics and its histological implications.

Introduction

The study’s purpose was to investigate whether horses with mild or moderate asthma (MMA) experience similar central airway remodeling as seen in horses with severe asthma. Airway remodeling refers to the structural changes in the bronchial wall as a result of chronic inflammation caused by asthma. These structural changes can involve an array of alterations, including epithelial hyperplasia, thickening of lamina propria, and smooth muscle fibrosis.

Methods

  • The research included 12 horses with MMA and 8 control horses without asthma.
  • Horses were classified as MMA affected or controls based on their medical history and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytology, a diagnostic tool for respiratory diseases.
  • Endobronchial biopsies were taken from each horse and analyzed through histomorphometry, a technique to study the microscopic structure of tissues, and a semiquantitative histologic scoring system.
  • The changes in bronchial wall, comprising epithelial cell layer, lamina propria (connective tissue layer), and smooth muscle, were analyzed and compared against control horses.

Results

  • Horses with MMA experienced epithelial hyperplasia, thickened lamina propria, and smooth muscle fibrosis, corroborating the hypothesis that they undergo airway remodeling.
  • The semi-quantitative score results indicated the consistent presence of epithelial hyperplasia and submucosal inflammatory leucocytes in the airways of the horses with MMA.

Conclusion

Based on the observed histopathological alterations in the bronchial tissues, the researchers concluded that horses with mild to moderate asthma also undergo airway remodeling. This research brings further understanding to the pathophysiology of equine asthma and could potentially guide future studies into the mitigation strategies for Madden’s disease.

Cite This Article

APA
Bessonnat A, Hélie P, Grimes C, Lavoie JP. (2021). Airway remodeling in horses with mild and moderate asthma. J Vet Intern Med, 36(1), 285-291. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.16333

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 1939-1676
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 36
Issue: 1
Pages: 285-291

Researcher Affiliations

Bessonnat, Amandine
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Q, Canada.
Hélie, Pierre
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Montreal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Q, Canada.
Grimes, Carolyn
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Montreal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Q, Canada.
Lavoie, Jean-Pierre
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Q, Canada.

MeSH Terms

  • Airway Remodeling
  • Animals
  • Asthma / pathology
  • Asthma / veterinary
  • Bronchi / pathology
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid
  • Horse Diseases / pathology
  • Horses
  • Hyperplasia / pathology
  • Hyperplasia / veterinary
  • Retrospective Studies

Grant Funding

  • RGPIN-2015-04092 / Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

Conflict of Interest Statement

Authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 7 times.
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