Diagnostic Value of Tracheal Wash Cytology for Monitoring Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage in Thoroughbred Racehorses.
Abstract: Lower airway cytology has been proposed as a complementary diagnostic method to confirm the presence and quantifying the severity of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH). Bronchoalveolar lavage is usually preferred over tracheal wash (TW), yet the need for sedation imposes as a limitation for active sport horses in addition to be a highly invasive technique. This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic value of TW with Total Hemosiderin Score (THS) for monitoring EIPH in active Thoroughbred racehorses. A sampling of 47 randomly selected Thoroughbreds were endoscopically examined for EIPH grading 30 to 60 minutes after competing in an official race and then classified as Group 1 (EIPH-negative), Group 2 (EIPH-positive) or Group 3 (furosemide users). Tracheal wash fluids (TWFs) were collected from 24 to 30 hours later and smears were stained for differential cell count and hemosiderophage grading and counting to calculate THS. Differential cell counts were compared by the median test. Comparisons between mean THS values by EIPH grade and by group were compared by the Mann-Whitney test and ANOVA, respectively. Test performance criteria were determined with a contingency table. It was not possible to establish a THS cut-off point but statistical results showed that, at THS stand view, all groups had similar results despite their EIPH grades. Most animals showed no signs of neutrophilic inflammation, but haemosiderophages were found even on a first-time runner from Group 1. Thus, TW can detect evidence of lung bleeding even on horses with no history of EIPH. The implementation of TW analysis to diagnose EIPH in racehorses is promising, as TW is both low-cost and a less invasive tool.
Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2022-09-19 PubMed ID: 36222272DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104128Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research illustrates the potential use of tracheal wash cytology as a less invasive and cost-effective tool in detecting and monitoring exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) in Thoroughbred racehorses.
Study Objective
- The primary aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of tracheal wash (TW) using Total Hemosiderin Score (THS) in monitoring exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) in active Thoroughbred racehorses. This was against the backdrop of the conventional method – bronchoalveolar lavage – which often poses limitations due to its invasive nature and need for sedation.
Methodology
- A random sample of 47 thoroughbred racehorses were endoscopically examined for EIPH grading after participating in an official race. Depending on the results of the examination, the horses were classified into three groups: EIPH-negative (Group 1), EIPH-positive (Group 2), or furosemide users (Group 3).
- From 24 to 30 hours after the race, tracheal wash fluids (TWFs) were collected from the horses and smears were created. These were stained for differential cell count and hemosiderophage grading to calculate THS.
- The differential cell counts and THS values were compared across the three groups using median tests, Mann-Whitney tests, and ANOVA.
- Performance test criteria were also determined using a contingency table.
Findings
- The results of the study showed that all groups, irrespective of their EIPH grades, had similar THS results.
- Most of the horses did not show signs of neutrophilic inflammation. However, haemosiderophages were found even in a first-time runner from Group 1, suggesting that TW cytology can detect evidence of lung bleeding in horses with no history of EIPH.
- The study, however, could not establish a definitive THS cut-off point.
Conclusion
- In conclusion, the study posits that tracheal wash cytology could serve as a promising diagnostic tool for EIPH in racehorses because of its cost-effectiveness and non-invasive nature.
Cite This Article
APA
Cascardo B, Bernardes C, de Souza GN, Silva KM, Pires NR, de Alencar NX, Lessa DAB.
(2022).
Diagnostic Value of Tracheal Wash Cytology for Monitoring Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage in Thoroughbred Racehorses.
J Equine Vet Sci, 118, 104128.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104128 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Departamento de Patologia e Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Fluminense, RJ, Brasil; Hipódromo da Gávea, Jockey Club Brasileiro, RJ, Brasil. Electronic address: biancacascardo@id.uff.br.
- Departamento de Patologia e Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Fluminense, RJ, Brasil.
- Departamento de Saúde Coletiva Veterinária e Saúde Pública, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Fluminense, RJ, Brasil; Embrapa Gado de Leite, Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, MG, Brasil.
- Departamento de Patologia e Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Fluminense, RJ, Brasil.
- Departamento de Patologia e Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Fluminense, RJ, Brasil.
- Departamento de Patologia e Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Fluminense, RJ, Brasil.
- Departamento de Patologia e Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Fluminense, RJ, Brasil.
MeSH Terms
- Horses
- Animals
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / adverse effects
- Lung Diseases / diagnosis
- Lung Diseases / veterinary
- Hemorrhage / diagnosis
- Hemorrhage / veterinary
- Furosemide
- Hemosiderin / analysis
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Bozzola C, Sala G, Stancari G, Ferrucci F, Zucca E. Comparison Between Tracheal Wash and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Cytology for the Assessment of Airway Inflammation in Racehorses Affected by Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage. Animals (Basel) 2025 Sep 5;15(17).
- Shawaf T. Jugular venous thrombosis as a risk factor for exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage in thoroughbred racehorses. Open Vet J 2024 May;14(5):1111-1116.
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