Evaluation of endotoxin activity in blood measured via neutrophil chemiluminescence in healthy horses and horses with colic.
Abstract: To evaluate the performance of a chemiluminescent endotoxin activity assay in horses with colic and healthy horses. Methods: 20 horses with colic and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS group), 8 horses with colic with no SIRS (NSIRS group), and 20 healthy horses. Methods: Venous blood was collected into EDTA blood collection tubes after completion of a physical examination, and a chemiluminescent endotoxin activity assay was performed within 60 minutes of collection. Medical or surgical interventions and outcome were recorded for each horse. Results: Mean + or - SE endotoxin activity was 0.16 + or - 0.05 for healthy horses, 0.18 + or - 0.07 for the NSIRS group, and 0.53 + or - 0.05 for the SIRS group and was significantly different among the groups. Mean endotoxin activity was significantly higher in the SIRS group than in the NSIRS group and the healthy group. No significant difference between the healthy and NSIRS groups was present. The higher the measured endotoxin activity, the more likely it was for horses to be euthanized. Conclusions: The chemiluminescent endotoxin assay was easy to use, required a short time to perform, could be completed at the patient's side, and with some modifications, may be a useful component in the clinical assessment and prognostication of horses with colic.
Publication Date: 2009-10-03 PubMed ID: 19795931DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.70.10.1183Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This study examines the effectiveness of a specific test for measuring endotoxin levels in horses, by comparing results from healthy horses, those with colic, and those with colic and a systemic inflammatory response. Elevated endotoxin levels were notably higher in the latter group and were associated with an increased likelihood of euthanasia.
Objective of the Research
- The primary aim of this research is to assess the efficiency of a test called a chemiluminescent endotoxin activity assay. The researchers aim to evaluate this test’s performance in detecting endotoxins in horses, particularly those with colic and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).
Methodology
- The study involved a total of 48 horses, divided into three distinct groups: 20 healthy horses, 20 horses suffering from colic and SIRS (SIRS group), and eight horses with colic but no SIRS (NSIRS group).
- Venous blood was drawn from each horse and immediately placed into EDTA blood collection tubes. The chemiluminescent endotoxin activity assay was conducted within 60 minutes of the blood draw.
- Information was recorded about the medical or surgical interventions executed for each horse, as well as their outcomes.
Results
- Endotoxin activity levels were notably different among the groups. The mean activity level for healthy horses was 0.16, 0.18 for the NSIRS group, and 0.53 for the SIRS group.
- Significantly higher endotoxin activity was observed in the SIRS group compared to both the NSIRS group and the healthy horses.
- There wasn’t a significant difference in endotoxin activity between the healthy horses and the NSIRS group.
- The data showed that horses with higher endotoxin activity were more likely to be euthanized.
Conclusions
- Overall, the chemiluminescent endotoxin activity assay was found to be user-friendly, time-efficient, and could be conducted at the site of the patient.
- The researchers suggest that, with certain modifications, the assay could become a critical tool in the clinical assessment and prognosis prediction for horses suffering from colic.
Cite This Article
APA
Koenig JB, Hart J, Harris DM, Cruz AM, Bienzle D.
(2009).
Evaluation of endotoxin activity in blood measured via neutrophil chemiluminescence in healthy horses and horses with colic.
Am J Vet Res, 70(10), 1183-1186.
https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.70.10.1183 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada. jkoenig@uoguelph.ca
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Colic / blood
- Colic / veterinary
- Endotoxins / blood
- Horse Diseases / blood
- Horses
- Luminescent Measurements / methods
- Luminescent Measurements / veterinary
- Neutrophils / metabolism
- Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / blood
- Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Roy MF, Kwong GP, Lambert J, Massie S, Lockhart S. Prognostic Value and Development of a Scoring System in Horses With Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome. J Vet Intern Med 2017 Mar;31(2):582-592.
- Komaru Y, Maeda A, Inokuchi R, Foster DM, Kellum JA, Doi K. Clinical applications for the endotoxin activity assay in sepsis: a scoping review. Crit Care 2026 Jan 30;30(1).
- Bishop RC, Arrington JV, Wilkins PA, McCoy AM. Alterations in the Peritoneal Fluid Proteome of Horses with Colic Attributed to Ischemic and Non-Ischemic Intestinal Disease. Animals (Basel) 2025 May 30;15(11).
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