Development of a Semiquantitative Histological Score for the Diagnosis of Heaves Using Endobronchial Biopsy Specimens in Horses.
Abstract: Remodeling of the peripheral airways persists during the asymptomatic phase of heaves. Assessing the histology of large bronchi could facilitate the diagnosis of heaves during remission of the disease. Objective: Airway inflammation and remodeling in endobronchial biopsy (EBB) specimens differentiate horses with heaves from controls, independently of their clinical status (exacerbation or remission). Methods: Fourteen healthy horses and 24 horses with heaves. Methods: A 14-point scoring system assessing central bronchial wall inflammation and remodeling was developed. The score was validated by 2 pathologists using specimens obtained from 18 horses (6 controls, 6 with heaves exacerbation, and 6 with heaves remission) in which lung function had been assessed with impulse oscillometry. Clinical and research application of the score was evaluated using biopsy specimens obtained from 20 additional horses (8 controls, 6 with heaves exacerbation, and 6 with heaves remission). Results: The score was repeatable (interclass correlation coefficient = 69%). It differentiated horses with heaves in exacerbation (mean ± SD: 6.2 ± 2.2) from those in remission (4.0 ± 1.0) and controls (3.6 ± 1.7, P < 0.0001). The histological scores of horses with heaves correlated with the ratio of respiratory resistance (R) at 5 and 10 Hz (R5 : R10 ratio, r = 0.65, P = 0.03), a parameter assessing airway obstruction. Conclusions: The proposed histological scoring system correlates with the degree of airway obstruction measured by impulse oscillometry. However, it does not discriminate horses with heaves in remission from controls. Evaluation of EBB specimens might be considered in future research and clinical studies of respiratory diseases in horses.
Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Publication Date: 2016-08-16 PubMed ID: 27527123PubMed Central: PMC5032871DOI: 10.1111/jvim.14556Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article presented here investigates a new method for diagnosing Heaves, a common respiratory disease in horses, using a histological scoring of endobronchial biopsy samples. Through developing a 14-point scoring system, researchers aimed to differentiate between horses with Heaves, those in remission, and those without the disease.
Objectives and Methodology
- The main objective of the study was to analyze airway inflammation and changes in the structure (remodeling) in endobronchial biopsy specimens so as to distinguish horses with heaves from those without the disease.
- The study involved 38 horses in total. 14 were healthy, and 24 were diagnosed with Heaves.
- Using the biopsy samples, a 14-point scoring system was created. This system was designed to assess the inflammation and remodeling in central bronchial walls of horses.
- The validity of the score was tested by two pathologists using biopsy specimens from 18 horses whose lung function was assessed using impulse oscillometry, a technique that measures lung function.
- Finally, the practical use of this scoring system in both clinical and research contexts was evaluated using biopsy specimens from 20 more horses.
Results
- The researchers found that their scoring system could consistently differentiate between horses with Heaves (average score: 6.2), those in remission (average score: 4.0), and healthy horses (average score: 3.6).
- The histological scores of horses with Heaves were found to correlate with the ratio of respiratory resistance at different frequencies (5 and 10 Hz), a metric indicating airway obstruction.
Conclusions
- The scoring system was shown to correlate with the degree of airway obstruction as measured through impulse oscillometry, lending credibility to its potential use in diagnosing Heaves.
- However, it was not able to reliably distinguish between healthy horses and those with Heaves in remission, an area that may require further study.
- The study concludes by recommending the evaluation of endobronchial biopsy specimens in future research and clinical studies into respiratory diseases in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Bullone M, Hélie P, Joubert P, Lavoie JP.
(2016).
Development of a Semiquantitative Histological Score for the Diagnosis of Heaves Using Endobronchial Biopsy Specimens in Horses.
J Vet Intern Med, 30(5), 1739-1746.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.14556 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada.
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada.
- Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Q, QC, Canada.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada. jean-pierre.lavoie@umontreal.ca.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biopsy / veterinary
- Bronchi / pathology
- Horse Diseases / classification
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Lung Diseases, Obstructive / pathology
- Lung Diseases, Obstructive / veterinary
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Citations
This article has been cited 11 times.- Lo Feudo CM, Ferrucci F, Bizzotto D, Dellacà R, Lavoie JP, Stucchi L. Differences in pulmonary function measured by oscillometry between horses with mild-moderate equine asthma and healthy controls. Equine Vet J 2025 May;57(3):619-628.
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- Stucchi L, Ferrucci F, Bullone M, Dellacà RL, Lavoie JP. Within-Breath Oscillatory Mechanics in Horses Affected by Severe Equine Asthma in Exacerbation and in Remission of the Disease. Animals (Basel) 2021 Dec 21;12(1).
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