Association between Eosinophil Count and Cortisol Concentrations in Equids Admitted in the Emergency Unit with Abdominal Pain.
Abstract: Stress leukogram includes eosinopenia as one of its main markers (neutrophilia, eosinopenia, lymphopenia, and mild monocytosis). Cortisol is the main stress biomarker, which is also strongly correlated with the severity of gastrointestinal diseases. This study aimed to determine the relationship between salivary cortisol and the eosinophil cell count (EC) in equids with abdominal pain. To do this, 39 horses with abdominal pain referred to an emergency service were included. All samples were taken on admission, and several parameters and clinical data were included. Equids were classified according to the outcome as survivors and non-survivors. Non-surviving equids presented higher salivary cortisol concentrations (Non-Survivors: 1.580 ± 0.816 µg/dL; Survivors 0.988 ± 0.653 µg/dL; < 0.05) and lower EC (Non-Survivors: 0.0000 × 10/µL (0.000/0.0075); Survivors: 0.0450 × 10/µL (0.010/0.1825); < 0.01). In addition, the relationship between salivary cortisol concentration, EC, and the WBC was determined. Only a strong correlation (negative) was observed between cortisol and EC (r = -0.523, < 0.01). Since cortisol is not an analyte that can be measured routinely in clinical settings such as emergencies, the EC could be a good alternative. While the results are promising, further studies are needed before EC can be used confidently in routine practice to predict survival in cases of abdominal pain.
Publication Date: 2024-01-04 PubMed ID: 38200895PubMed Central: PMC10778409DOI: 10.3390/ani14010164Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research examines the relationship between the level of cortisol, a stress biomarker, and the eosinophil cell count in horses experiencing abdominal pain. The study specifically finds that higher cortisol levels and lower eosinophil cell counts are observed in horses that do not survive the condition.
Study Purpose and Research Method
- The main purpose of the study was to establish a correlation between the levels of salivary cortisol and the eosinophil cell count in horses with abdominal pain. This was achieved by analyzing saliva samples from 39 horses admitted to an emergency unit with abdominal pain.
- The parameters of the samples, as well as the clinical data of each horse, were carefully recorded. Based on the outcomes, the horses were divided into two categories: survivors and non-survivors.
Study Findings
- The study found a discernible difference in the cortisol concentrations and eosinophil cell counts between the two groups. Specifically, the non-surviving horses had notably higher levels of salivary cortisol and significantly lower eosinophil cell counts compared to the survivors.
- Furthermore, a strong negative correlation was observed between cortisol levels and eosinophil cell count. In other words, as cortisol levels increased, eosinophil cell counts typically decreased.
Implications of the Research
- The researched concluded that eosinophil cell count could potentially serve as a suitable alternative to measure stress levels in emergency situations, given the finding that cortisol, which is not often measured in such conditions, exhibited a pronounced correlation with eosinophil cell count.
- Yet, the researchers advised caution and called for further studies before eosinophil cell count could be confidently implemented as a routine practice to predict survival in cases of abdominal pain amongst horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Villalba-Orero M, Contreras-Aguilar MD, Cerón JJ, Fuentes-Romero B, Valero-González M, Martín-Cuervo M.
(2024).
Association between Eosinophil Count and Cortisol Concentrations in Equids Admitted in the Emergency Unit with Abdominal Pain.
Animals (Basel), 14(1), 164.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14010164 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Hospital Clínico Veterinario Complutense, Departamento de Medicina y Cirugía Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis of the University of Murcia (Interlab-UMU), Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary School, Regional Campus of International Excellence Mare Nostrum, Campus de Espinardo, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis of the University of Murcia (Interlab-UMU), Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary School, Regional Campus of International Excellence Mare Nostrum, Campus de Espinardo, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Avda de la Universidad s/n, 10005 Cáceres, Spain.
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Avda de la Universidad s/n, 10005 Cáceres, Spain.
- Grupo MECIAN, Departamento de Medicina Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Cáceres, Universidad de Extremadura, 10004 Cáceres, Spain.
Grant Funding
- 19894/GERM/15 / Fundaciu00f3n Su00e9neca - Agencia de Ciencia y Tecnologu00eda de la Regiu00f3n de Murcia
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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