Auto-immune hemolytic anemia in two horses.
Abstract: Two cases of Auto-immune hemolytic anemia (AHA) in the horse are described. The pathogenesis of AHA in man is related to the findings in the horses. Besides from routine hematological and biochemical investigations specific data were obtained from the erythrocyte osmotic fragility test, the Coombs test, the serum haptoglobulin level and the cold agglutinin test. The first patient, a six month old Dutch standardbred colt, probably suffered from an acute attack of cold-induced hemoglobinuria with severe anemia and acronecrosis of the tops of both ears and of several parts of the skin that had been in close contact with the cold floor. The second patient, a nine years old Friesian mare, showed a type of AHA resembling the acute hemolyte type of cold agglutinin disease in man. This patient had a clear septicemic picture, extensive bacteriological examination, however, was negative.
Publication Date: 1975-07-15 PubMed ID: 1162684
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Case Reports
- Journal Article
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 describes two case studies of auto-immune hemolytic anemia (AHA) in horses, relating the pathogenesis of the disease to what is known about its occurrence in humans. The studies looked at various hematology and biochemical tests along with specific assessments related to the condition. One of the cases is of a young colt suffering from severe anemia, possibly brought on by the cold, while the second case shows a mare with a type of AHA similar to a type seen in humans, showing signs of septicemia despite a negative bacteriological examination.
Case Descriptions
The article covers two cases:
- The first case involved a six-month-old Dutch standardbred colt. The colt showed symptoms of severe anemia and acronecrosis – the death of skin due to severe frostbite. The colt’s condition was linked to coming in contact with a cold floor.
- The second case pertains to a nine-year-old Friesian mare. This horse showed the symptoms of a type of AHA that closely resembles the acute hemolyte type of cold agglutinin disease seen in humans. The mare displayed clear signs of septicemia, a potentially life-threatening infection that can spread throughout the body. However, extensive bacteriological examination proved negative.
Investigations Performed
Several tests and examinations were conducted in these cases. The list includes:
- Routine hematological and biochemical investigations – These tests were carried out to get a comprehensive understanding of the horses’ health status.
- Erythrocyte osmotic fragility test – This test was conducted to determine the robustness of red blood cells. It provides information about the cell’s ability to handle a decrease in osmotic pressure, commonly caused by AHA.
- Coombs test – This diagnostic test is specifically employed to identify auto-immune diseases. It determines the presence of antibodies that can lead to the destruction of red blood cells.
- Serum haptoglobulin level – As haptoglobin binds with free hemoglobin (released due to the hemolysis of red blood cells) to remove it from the blood, testing for serum haptoglobulin levels could suggest hemolytic activity.
- Cold agglutinin test – This test was used to look for cold agglutinin disease, a rare type of autoimmune hemolytic anemia where cold temperatures trigger the immune system to attack red blood cells.
Comparison with Human AHA
The author suggests that the pathogenesis of AHA in these horses relates to how the disease occurs in humans. Specifically, the case of the Friesian mare is compared to the acute hemolyte type of cold agglutinin disease seen in humans. This correlation may help in better understanding the disease and formulating effective treatments.
Cite This Article
APA
Lokhorst HM, Breukink HJ.
(1975).
Auto-immune hemolytic anemia in two horses.
Tijdschr Diergeneeskd, 100(14), 752-757.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
- Agglutinins / analysis
- Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / blood
- Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / therapy
- Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / veterinary
- Animals
- Autoantibodies / analysis
- Blood Transfusion
- Cold Temperature
- Ear Diseases / veterinary
- Erythrocytes
- Female
- Haptoglobins / analysis
- Hematuria / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / blood
- Horses
- Lameness, Animal
- Male
- Necrosis / veterinary
- Osmotic Fragility
- Penicillins / therapeutic use
- Sepsis / veterinary
- Skin Diseases / veterinary
- Streptomycin / therapeutic use
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Kamperschroer C, Tartaro K, Goodchild L, Menke C, Artrip A, Pisharath H. Cold Agglutinin Disease in a Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta). Comp Med 2023 Oct 29;73(5):398-406.
- Takubo K, Shirakata C. A case of cold agglutinin disease in a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). J Vet Med Sci 2023 Nov 18;85(11):1245-1251.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
