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Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association2013; 242(8); 1138-1145; doi: 10.2460/javma.242.8.1138

Clinical and diagnostic features of inflammatory airway disease subtypes in horses examined because of poor performance: 98 cases (2004-2010).

Abstract: To determine whether there are important differences relating to seasonality of signs or clinical features between subtypes of inflammatory airway disease (IAD) in horses caused by neutrophilic and eosinophilic-mastocytic inflammation having dissimilar etiopathologic pathways. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 98 horses. Methods: Data were compiled from medical records of horses examined because of poor performance from 2004 through 2010. Horses underwent a standardized high-speed treadmill test, lameness evaluation, cardiac evaluation, and postexercise bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). By means of standard BAL cytologic criteria, horses were divided into 4 groups: eosinophilic-mastocytic inflammation, neutrophilia only, mixed inflammation, or no inflammation (control). Associations between IAD subtype and clinical parameters were investigated. Results: Data for 98 horses were obtained, including age, career, season of admission, and results of hematologic evaluation, high-speed treadmill arterial blood gas analysis, upper airway endoscopy, cardiologic evaluation, and BAL. Cytologic evidence of IAD was found in 81% (79/98) of the horses, and 30% (30/98) had erythrocytes present in the BAL fluid after exercise. Horses in the eosinophilic-mastocytic inflammation and mixed-inflammation groups were significantly more likely to be Thoroughbred than Standardbred and have larger amounts of mucus in their BAL fluid. No significant differences were found in season of evaluation, results of exercising blood gas analyses, or comorbidities. Conclusions: No association between season and cytologic profile of BAL fluid and no major effects of IAD subtype on pulmonary gas exchange during exercise were seen in this population of horses.
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Publication Date: 2013-04-04 PubMed ID: 23547679DOI: 10.2460/javma.242.8.1138Google 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.

The research study investigates if seasonal patterns or clinical features differ between subtypes of a condition, called inflammatory airway disease (IAD), in horses which can be categorized based on neutrophilic and eosinophilic-mastocytic inflammation. The study was a retrospective survey of 98 horses’ medical records spanning 2004 through 2010. Findings revealed similarities across different seasons, and no major effects of the specific IAD subtype on lung functionality during physical activity.

About the Study

  • The research examined historical data from medical records of 98 horses that showcased poor performance between 2004 and 2010.
  • The workout regime for horses included a standardized high-speed treadmill test. Horses also underwent lameness evaluation, cardiac evaluation, and a bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) after exercise to assess lung-related issues.
  • Based on standard BAL cytologic criteria, the horses were classified into four groups: eosinophilic-mastocytic inflammation, neutrophilia only, mixed inflammation, or no inflammation (control).
  • The researchers explored connections between the type of IAD and various clinical parameters.

Findings of the Study

  • Out of 98 horses, the data collected ranged from age, career, and season of admission to results of hematologic evaluation, high-speed treadmill arterial blood gas analysis, upper airway endoscopy, cardiologic evaluation, and BAL.
  • About 81% (79 out of 98) of the horses showcased cytologic evidence of IAD, and 30% (30 out of 98) had blood cells present in the BAL fluid post-exercise.
  • Thoroughbred horses were more prone to having larger quantities of mucus in their BAL fluid and were more likely to fall in the eosinophilic-mastocytic inflammation and mixed inflammation groups than the Standardbred ones.
  • No significant variations were found in the season of evaluation, results of exercising blood gas analyses, or comorbidities among different types of IAD.

Conclusions of the Study

  • The study suggests no significant relationship between the season and cytologic profile of BAL fluid, regardless of the type of IAD.
  • There were no substantial effects observed of the IAD subtype on the horse’s lung gas exchange during physical activity.

Cite This Article

APA
Nolen-Walston RD, Harris M, Agnew ME, Martin BB, Reef VB, Boston RC, Davidson EJ. (2013). Clinical and diagnostic features of inflammatory airway disease subtypes in horses examined because of poor performance: 98 cases (2004-2010). J Am Vet Med Assoc, 242(8), 1138-1145. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.242.8.1138

Publication

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
ISSN: 1943-569X
NlmUniqueID: 7503067
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 242
Issue: 8
Pages: 1138-1145

Researcher Affiliations

Nolen-Walston, Rose D
  • New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA 19348, USA. rnolenw@vet.upenn.edu
Harris, Michelle
    Agnew, Morgan E
      Martin, Benson B
        Reef, Virginia B
          Boston, Raymond C
            Davidson, Elizabeth J

              MeSH Terms

              • Animals
              • Eosinophils
              • Female
              • Horse Diseases / classification
              • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
              • Horse Diseases / pathology
              • Horses
              • Inflammation / classification
              • Inflammation / diagnosis
              • Inflammation / veterinary
              • Male
              • Mast Cells
              • Neutrophils
              • Respiratory Tract Diseases / classification
              • Respiratory Tract Diseases / diagnosis
              • Respiratory Tract Diseases / pathology
              • Respiratory Tract Diseases / veterinary
              • Retrospective Studies

              Citations

              This article has been cited 16 times.
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