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Home / Equine Research Bank / Can J Vet Res / Evaluation of a broad range real-time polymerase chain react...
Canadian journal of veterinary research = Revue canadienne de recherche veterinaire2013; 77(3); 211-217;

Evaluation of a broad range real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay for the diagnosis of septic synovitis in horses.

Abstract: Septic synovitis is a potentially debilitating and life-threatening disorder in horses. We hypothesized that a universal bacterial real-time PCR (RT-PCR) assay would have improved sensitivity and decreased turn-around time for detection of bacteria in synovial fluid (SF) samples. Forty-eight SF samples were collected from 36 horses that presented to two referral institutions with suspected septic synovitis. Universal RT-PCR, bacterial culture and SF analysis were performed on all samples, and an interpretation on the sample being septic or not was derived by three board certified specialists from the history, clinical assessment and SF characteristics. RT-PCR results were compared to a composite standard comprised of positive culture and interpretation by all three specialists of samples as "septic". For 41 of 48 samples (85%), culture and RT-PCR results were concordant. Compared to the composite standard, 83% of samples were correctly classified by RT-PCR (turn-around time of approximately 4 hours). Relative sensitivity and specificity of RT-PCR were 87% and 72% respectively, and 56% and 86% for culture. Hence, universal RT-PCR was a rapid and highly sensitive test, which may accelerate diagnosis and improve outcome for horses with septic synovitis. La synovite septique est une condition potentiellement débilitante et mortelle chez les chevaux. Nous avons émis l’hypothèse qu’une épreuve universelle d’amplification en chaîne par la polymérase en temps réel (RT-PCR) pourrait avoir une sensibilité augmentée et une diminution du délai d’obtention des résultats pour la détection de bactérie dans des échantillons de liquide synovial (SF). Quarante-huit échantillons de SF ont été prélevés à partir de 36 chevaux présentés à deux centres de référence avec une synovite septique suspectée. L’épreuve RT-PCR universelle, la culture bactérienne et l’analyse du SF ont été effectuées sur tous les échantillons et une interprétation à savoir si l’échantillon était septique ou non était obtenue de trois spécialistes certifiés à partir de l’histoire du cas, de l’évaluation clinique et des caractéristiques du SF. Les résultats du RT-PCR ont été comparés à un composite standard consistant en une culture et une interprétation positives par les trois spécialistes d’échantillons comme étant «septique». Pour 41 des 48 échantillons (85 %), les résultats de la culture et du RT-PCR concordaient. Comparativement au composite standard, 83 % des échantillons ont été classés correctement par le RT-PCR (délai d’obtention des résultats approximatif de 4 heures). La sensibilité et la spécificité relatives du RT-PCR étaient de 87 % et 72 %, respectivement, 56 % et 86 % pour la culture. Ainsi, l’épreuve RT-PCR universelle était un test rapide et hautement sensible, ce qui pourrait accélérer le diagnostic et améliorer le sort des chevaux avec une synovite septique.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).
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Publication Date: 2013-10-09 PubMed ID: 24101798PubMed Central: PMC3700447
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study evaluates the efficacy of real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) as a diagnostic tool for septic synovitis in horses. It indicates that RT-PCR provides a faster and a more sensitive approach to identify this potentially life-threatening condition.

Study Design and Methodology

  • The study began with the collection of synovial fluid (SF) samples from 36 horses suspected of suffering from septic synovitis. These samples were sourced from two separate reference institutions.
  • All samples underwent a universal RT-PCR assay, a traditional bacterial culture, and a general SF analysis. The purpose of executing these three processes was to identify the presence and type of bacteria found in the SF samples.
  • The researchers developed a composite evaluation framework comprising the positive results from the bacterial culture and agreement from three board-certified specialists. The specialists determined whether the sample was ‘septic’ (meaning it displayed bacterial infection) or not, based on the history of the case, clinical assessment, and SF characteristics.

Results

  • The RT-PCR results were compared to the composite standard noted above. For 85% of the SF samples (41 out of 48), the RT-PCR results and culture results were in agreement.
  • Compared to the composite reference, the RT-PCR assay correctly identified 83% of the samples within an estimated 4-hour time frame. This suggests a substantially faster diagnostic turn-around when compared to traditional methods.

Performance of RT-PCR Vs. Culture Analysis

  • The relative sensitivity and specificity of RT-PCR (essentially, its ability to correctly identify positive and negative results) were 87% and 72%, respectively.
  • In contrast, traditional bacterial culture demonstrated a relative sensitivity and specificity rate of approximately 56% and 86% respectively. This implies that while bacterial culture might have a higher specificity, the sensitivity is drastically lower than that of RT-PCR.

Conclusion

  • The study concluded that the universal RT-PCR is not only a faster diagnostic tool but also shows higher sensitivity in detecting bacterial presence in SF samples from horses suspected of septic synovitis.
  • The higher speed and precision could potentially facilitate quicker diagnosis, and therefore, improved therapeutic outcomes for horses suffering from this ailment.

Cite This Article

APA
Elmas CR, Koenig JB, Bienzle D, Cribb NC, Cernicchiaro N, Coté NM, Weese JS. (2013). Evaluation of a broad range real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay for the diagnosis of septic synovitis in horses. Can J Vet Res, 77(3), 211-217.

Publication

Canadian journal of veterinary research = Revue canadienne de recherche veterinaire
ISSN: 1928-9022
NlmUniqueID: 8607793
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 77
Issue: 3
Pages: 211-217

Researcher Affiliations

Elmas, Colette R
  • Department of Clinical Studies (Elmas, Koenig, Cribb); Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario (Weese, Bienzle); Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States (Cernicchiaro); and Milton Equine Hospital, Campbellville, Ontario (Coté).
Koenig, Judith B
    Bienzle, Dorothee
      Cribb, Nicola C
        Cernicchiaro, Natalia
          Coté, Nathalie M
            Weese, J Scott

              MeSH Terms

              • Animals
              • Bacteria / genetics
              • Bacteria / isolation & purification
              • Chi-Square Distribution
              • DNA, Bacterial / chemistry
              • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
              • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
              • Horse Diseases / microbiology
              • Horses
              • Limit of Detection
              • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / chemistry
              • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics
              • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
              • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / standards
              • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
              • Sensitivity and Specificity
              • Synovial Fluid / cytology
              • Synovial Fluid / microbiology
              • Synovitis / diagnosis
              • Synovitis / microbiology
              • Synovitis / veterinary

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              Citations

              This article has been cited 4 times.
              1. Vilén A, Nilson B, Petersson AC, Cigut M, Nielsen C, Ström H. Detection of bacterial DNA in synovial fluid in dogs with arthritis: a comparison between bacterial culture and 16S rRNA polymerase chain reaction.. Acta Vet Scand 2021 Aug 30;63(1):34.
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