Comparison of the effect of polysulfated glycosaminoglycan, corticosteroids, and sodium hyaluronate in the potentiation of a subinfective dose of Staphylococcus aureus in the midcarpal joint of horses.

The research paper primarily investigates the impact of polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG), corticosteroids, and sodium hyaluronate on staphylococcus aureus-induced arthritis in horses. The study found that the administration of PSGAG notably increased the occurrence of sepsis, while the effects of corticosteroids and sodium hyaluronate were insignificant.

Research Procedure

• The experiment included four groups of horses, each having eight members. Every horse had one midcarpal joint injected with a known dosage of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, along with other experimental substances.
• The horses in the control group (group 1) had the bacteria plus a saline solution. Group 2 received polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG), group 3 was dosed with methylprednisolone acetate (a corticosteroid), and group 4 had sodium hyaluronate added.

Results and Observations

• The progress of horses was monitored by looking for symptoms of septic arthritis that didn’t respond to phenylbutazone treatment. At this stage, the horses were euthanized and samples were taken for further analysis.
• Observations indicated that one horse from the control group, all horses from the PSGAG group, three from the corticosteroid group, and four from the sodium hyaluronate group showed positive culture for Staphylococcus aureus. Moreover, they exhibited clinical signs, synovial fluid analysis, and histopathologic findings that were suggestive of sepsis.
• Notably, the group that received PSGAG had a significant increase in the development of sepsis compared to the control group (P = 0.001).
• Contrarily, the change in the development of sepsis in horses treated with methylprednisolone acetate or sodium hyaluronate was not statistically significant when compared to the control horses. These substances did not appear to influence the persistence or worsening of the Staphylococcus aureus infection.

Conclusion

• The study, therefore, concludes that polysulfated glycosaminoglycan, when combined with a Staphylococcus aureus infection, can significantly increase the risk of sepsis in horses. Hence, the use of PSGAG in horses, particularly those at risk of Staphylococcus aureus infection, should be reassessed and regulated.
• Although this study did not find significant effects of corticosteroids and sodium hyaluronate on the infection, further research is needed to confirm these observations and fully understand their relationship with Staphylococcus aureus-induced sepsis in horses.