[Clinico-pathological changes after intravenous administration of endotoxin in the horse].

This research article depicts a study assessing the physical and pathological impacts caused by injecting endotoxin intravenously into horses. The researchers used a variety of measures like haematocrit, red cell count, white cell count, etc., and noted changes such as increased haematocrit and red cell count, fluctuations in number of white cells, development of disseminated intravascular coagulation, minor changes in arterial acid base parameters, shifts in blood glucose levels, and an increase in serum lactate.

Study Methodology

• The research involved creating endotoxaemia in the test subjects, i.e., four horses. Endotoxaemia is a condition characterized by the presence of endotoxins in the blood, which can lead to septic shock.
• This state was induced by intravenous injection of a specific type of endotoxin, E. coli 055:B5 lipopolysaccharide, at a certain dosage.
• Multiple measures were used to analyze the physiological impacts of this injection, such as haematocrit, red cell count, total and differential white cell count, thrombocyte count, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen level, level of fibrin degradation products, arterial acid-base status, blood glucose, and serum lactate.

Findings of the Study

• Several changes were observed post injection: an increase in haematocrit (the ratio of the volume of red cells to the total volume of blood) and red cell count was recorded.
• There were alterations in the white cell count. Initially, leucopaenia (a decrease in the white blood cell count) was observed, soon followed by leucocytosis (an increase in the white blood cell count), which was primarily driven by changes in the number of neutrophils.
• The study also documented the development of a blood disorder called disseminated intravascular coagulation. This disorder is characterized by the formation of small blood clots throughout the body’s circulation, which can impair blood flow and potentially impact the functioning of various organs.
• Minor changes in the arterial acid-base parameters were noticed. These parameters pertain to the balance between acids and bases in the body’s arterial blood, which is crucial for maintaining stable bodily functions.
• The horses exhibited fluctuations in blood glucose levels. Initially, they showed hyperglycaemia (high blood glucose level) followed by hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose level).
• The level of serum lactate in the horses’ blood increased. This is often a stress response from the body and can be indicative of tissue hypoxia, overproduction of lactate, or inadequate lactate clearance.