Evaluation of peritoneal fluid pH, glucose concentration, and lactate dehydrogenase activity for detection of septic peritonitis in horses.

This scientific research determined that the pH level and glucose concentration in peritoneal fluid can help in identifying horses suffering from septic peritonitis, providing an early warning sign of the condition especially where results of cytologic evaluation or bacterial culture are pending or inconclusive.

Objective of the Research

• The main objective of this study was to ascertain whether pH levels and glucose concentration in peritoneal fluid, and lactate dehydrogenase activity, can be used as indicators for differentiating horses with septic peritonitis from those with nonseptic peritonitis.

Research Methodology

• The study was carried out on 46 horses which were further classified into three groups: 10 healthy horses, 15 horses with septic peritonitis, and 21 horses with nonseptic peritonitis.
• For each horse, a peritoneal fluid and a blood sample were analyzed for parameters such as pH, glucose concentration, and lactate dehydrogenase activity. Furthermore, the peritoneal fluid samples were also subjected to bacterial culture.

Research Findings

• The outcomes showed that horses suffering from septic peritonitis exhibited considerably lower peritoneal fluid pH and glucose concentrations, compared to healthy horses and those with nonseptic peritonitis.
• Of all the tests conducted, the largest diagnostic use, for identifying septic peritonitis, was found to be attributed to serum-to-peritoneal fluid glucose concentration differences greater than 50 mg/dl.
• Additional indicators of septic peritonitis were identified as peritoneal fluid pH levels below 7.3, glucose concentrations under 30 mg/dl, and fibrinogen concentrations higher than 200 mg/dl.

Conclusions from the Research

• The study concluded that peritoneal fluid pH and glucose concentration can aid the identification process in horses afflicted with septic peritonitis.
• These tests can serve as early detectors of sepsis, even in situations where peritoneal fluid bacterial culture results are not available or are indecisive.