[Clinical chemistry in leukosis of horses (review)].

This research paper discusses the clinical aspects of equine leukosis, a type of horse cancer. It focuses on diagnostic indicators such as hypercalcaemia, increased alkaline phosphatase, hypalbuminaemia and hypergammaglobulinaemia.

Overview of Equine Leukosis

• Equine leukosis is a form of cancer in horses that impacts the blood and bone marrow. Like other types of cancer, it can have manifestations that impact other organs in the body.

Identified indicators of Equine Leukosis

• Hypercalcaemia, or high calcium levels in the blood, is suggested to be a sign of equine leukosis often occurring as a consequence of paraneoplastic syndrome, which are symptoms that occur in cancer patients, despite the cancer not directly affecting the organ exhibiting symptoms.
• Increased levels of alkaline phosphatase, an enzyme found primarily in the liver and bone, is a common marker in various tumorous diseases, including equine leukosis.
• Hypalbuminaemia (low albumin levels in the blood) and hypergammaglobulinaemia (increased gamma-globulins in the blood) are identified as indicators specifically in mesenteric (affecting the connective tissues between the intestines and the abdominal wall) and intestinal forms of equine leukosis. These changes in blood proteins indicate fundamental health changes that may occur due to this type of cancer.

Additional Clinicopathological Investigations

• Changes in other parameters are seen as non-specific signs that other organs or systems may be affected, reflecting the systemic nature of equine leukosis. Thus, in cases where there is suspicion of equine leukosis, additional clinicopathological investigations are recommended.
• These additional investigations aim to properly diagnose equine leukosis and differentiate it from other diseases that may present similar symptoms, of particular importance when determining the best course of action for treatment.