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The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne1992; 33(9); 591-598;

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Usefulness of clinical signs, bronchoalveolar lavage, and lung biopsy as diagnostic and prognostic aids.

Abstract: We examined 18 horses with clinical signs of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using physical examination, cytological and bacteriological evaluation of bronchoalveolar fluid, and percutaneous lung biopsy. In 16 cases, histological examination of lung tissue confirmed the diagnosis of COPD. Two horses were excluded: one had uncomplicated bacterial pneumonia and in the other a satisfactory lung biopsy could not be obtained. In horses with COPD, the most common historical complaint was coughing, which was reported in 88%. The most frequently detected abnormal finding on physical examination was abnormal lung sounds; these were detected in 69% of horses at rest and in 88% of horses breathing deeply into a bag. A novel finding was that 29% of horses had lung sounds that were quieter than would be expected for the degree of respiratory effort. Horses with COPD had increased percentages of neutrophils and decreased percentages of lymphocytes and macrophages in their bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Bronchiolar neutrophil infiltration and peribronchiolar mast cell accumulation in lung biopsy tissue had the highest correlation with clinical condition. The severity of pathological changes in biopsies of lung did not predict whether the horse would die in the two to four year follow-up period. Horses that died in the follow-up period were more severely affected clinically at initial presentation than horses that were alive at the end of the follow-up period.
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Publication Date: 1992-09-01 PubMed ID: 17424075PubMed Central: PMC1481327
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  • 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.

This research studied 18 horses suspected of having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), using various diagnostic methods like physical examination, lung fluid analysis, and lung biopsies. Over time, the health outcomes of the horses were also followed to understand the implications of initial signs and diagnostic findings.

Methodology and Findings

  • Various diagnostic measures were used in this study, including physical examinations, evaluation of lung fluid (bronchoalveolar lavage fluid), and percutaneous lung biopsies.
  • Of the 18 horses studied, 16 were confirmed to have COPD based on the histological examination of lung tissue. The two remaining horses were excluded due to bacterial pneumonia and an unsuccessful lung biopsy.
  • The most common symptom of horses with COPD was a cough, being reported in 88% of the animals. Detailed physical examination showed abnormal lung sounds in 69% of horses at rest and 88% of horses breathing deeply.
  • An interesting observation was that 29% of the horses exhibited quieter lung sounds than expected for their level of respiratory effort.

Lung fluid and biopsy findings

  • The analysis of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from horses with COPD showed an increased percentage of neutrophils and decreased proportions of lymphocytes and macrophages.
  • In the biopsied lung tissue, there was a high correlation between neutrophil infiltration into the bronchioles and mast cell accumulation around the bronchioles with the clinical condition of the horses.

Prognosis and Follow-up

  • The severity of pathological changes in the lung biopsies did not predict the chance of the horse’s survival in the subsequent 2-4 years.
  • However, horses that were more severely affected at the initial presentation were more likely to die within the follow-up period.

The study adds valuable knowledge of the diagnostic and prognostic indicators for COPD in horses, with implications for the condition’s management and potential treatment strategies.

Cite This Article

APA
Naylor JM, Clark EG, Clayton HM. (1992). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Usefulness of clinical signs, bronchoalveolar lavage, and lung biopsy as diagnostic and prognostic aids. Can Vet J, 33(9), 591-598.

Publication

The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne
ISSN: 0008-5286
NlmUniqueID: 0004653
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 33
Issue: 9
Pages: 591-598

Researcher Affiliations

Naylor, J M
    Clark, E G
      Clayton, H M

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        Citations

        This article has been cited 11 times.
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        3. Venugopal CS, Holmes EP, Polikepahad S, Laborde S, Kearney M, Moore RM. Neurokinin receptors in recurrent airway obstruction: a comparative study of affected and unaffected horses. Can J Vet Res 2009 Jan;73(1):25-33.
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        4. Polikepahad S, Haque M, Francis J, Moore RM, Venugopal CS. Characterization of endothelin receptors in the peripheral lung tissues of horses unaffected and affected with recurrent airway obstruction. Can J Vet Res 2008 Jul;72(4):340-9.
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