Cytologic interpretation of peritoneal fluid in the evaluation of equine abdominal crises.
Abstract: Cytologic examination of serial peritoneal fluid samples of nine experimental ponies was performed during a 72 hour period following laparotomy. Six of the ponies had jejunal infarction induced by occlusion of the corresponding vasculature. Cytologic examination was also performed on the peritoneal fluid of a series of horses with naturally occurring abdominal crises presented to the Large Animal Clinic. A rapid staining technique allowed evaluation of smears within 5 minutes of obtaining the fluid. Alterations in peritoneal fluid of the experimental and clinical cases reflected an acute inflammatory response. In the experimental ponies, the degree of degenerate changes in the neutrophils varied considerably between the ponies with induced jejunal infarction and the controls. Extracellular bacteria and a severe degenerative inflammatory response in the peritoneal fluid of the experimental ponies and horses with naturally occurring abdominal crises provided a grave prognosis for survival. The ease of performing cytologic examination of peritoneal fluid and the potential value of the findings supports routine diagnostic use.
Publication Date: 1980-07-01 PubMed ID: 7428373
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
Summary
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The research highlights the significance of cytologic examination of peritoneal fluid in understanding abdominal complications in equine species. The study indicates that abnormalities in the peritoneal fluid can serve as an indicator of acute inflammatory responses and position the approach as a potentially valuable diagnostic tool.
Objective and Methodology
- The study primarily aimed to examine the role of cytologic examination of peritoneal fluid in diagnosing equine abdominal complications.
- The researchers conducted a series of tests over a 72 hour period on nine experimental ponies post-laparotomy.
- In addition, six of the ponies were subjected to induced jejunal infarction to study the varying cytologic changes.
- Apart from these experimental ponies, horses suffering from naturally occurring abdominal issues were also incorporated in the study.
- A quick staining procedure was adopted that allowed the evaluation of smears within 5 minutes of fluid collection.
Findings
- The study found that changes in the peritoneal fluid were indicative of acute inflammatory responses in both experimental and clinical cases.
- In the case of experimental ponies, the level of degenerative changes in neutrophils varied significantly between the ponies with induced jejunal infarction and the control group.
- The study observed the presence of extracellular bacteria and a severe degenerative inflammatory response in the peritoneal fluid of both the experimental ponies and horses with naturally occurring abdominal issues.
- Such severe and degenerative inflammatory response and the presence of extracellular bacteria in the peritoneal fluid was associated with a poor prognosis for survival.
Conclusion
- The findings of the study underline the value of conducting cytologic examination of peritoneal fluid in diagnosing equine abdominal issues.
- The simplicity of performing this examination and the potential value of the findings render it favorable for routine diagnostic use.
Cite This Article
APA
Adams SB, Fessler JF, Rebar AH.
(1980).
Cytologic interpretation of peritoneal fluid in the evaluation of equine abdominal crises.
Cornell Vet, 70(3), 232-246.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Ascitic Fluid / cytology
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horses
- Intestinal Diseases / diagnosis
- Intestinal Diseases / veterinary
- Leukocytes / cytology
- Neutrophils / cytology
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Hirsch VM, Townsend HG. Peritoneal fluid analysis in the diagnosis of abdominal disorders in cattle: a retrospective study. Can Vet J 1982 Dec;23(12):348-54.
- Reeves MJ, Curtis CR, Salman MD, Hilbert BJ. Prognosis in equine colic patients using multivariable analysis. Can J Vet Res 1989 Jan;53(1):87-94.
- Juzwiak JS, Ragle CA, Brown CM, Krehbiel JD, Slocombe RF. The effect of repeated abdominocentesis on peritoneal fluid constituents in the horse. Vet Res Commun 1991;15(3):177-80.
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