Evaluation of serum concentration of acute-phase proteins (haptoglobin and serum amyloid A) in the affected Arabian foals with rhodococcosis.
Abstract: Early detection of Rhodococcus equi pneumonia in foals is essential for horse health and for veterinarians. Objective: This study aimed to demonstrate the usefulness of assessing the serum concentration of acute-phase proteins (APPs) in the early diagnosis of pneumonia. Methods: The study evaluated APPs in 19 Arabian foals with R. equi pneumonia and compared them with 18 normal Arabian foals in equestrian clubs in Tabriz, Iran. Affected foals were identified through history, clinical findings and bacterial culture of tracheal washing. Biochemical methods and polymerase chain reaction tests were performed by examining the 16S rRNA and vapA genes to confirm the diagnosis of bacterial isolates. Blood samples were taken from all sick and healthy horses, and their serum was isolated. APPs in the serum were measured in all the samples. Results: Rhodococcosis increased the serum concentration of haptoglobin (Hp) and serum amyloid A (SAA) (p < 0.001). The relationship between SAA and Hp was meaningful in the infected group (r = 0.933) but not in the healthy group. In cases where there are clinical findings of R. equi pneumonia, the concentration of SAA and Hp can help the effectiveness of treatment. Unassigned: Serum concentration analysis of APPs can be helpful in early diagnosis and successfully treating foals with R. equi pneumonia.
© 2022 The Authors. Veterinary Medicine and Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Publication Date: 2022-11-24 PubMed ID: 36423204PubMed Central: PMC9856977DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1005Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article investigates the utility of measuring the concentration of certain proteins in the blood for the early detection of a type of pneumonia in Arabian foals. The results reveal that an increase in these proteins, known as acute-phase proteins, can signal an infection in the early stages.
Research Objectives and Methods
This study was designed to evaluate the potential of acute-phase proteins (APPs) in detecting Rhodococcus equi pneumonia in Arabian foals at an early stage. The APPs of interest were haptoglobin (Hp) and serum amyloid A (SAA). These proteins are usually present in higher concentrations in the blood during inflammation or infection.
- The researchers studied 19 Arabian foals suffering from R. equi pneumonia and contrasted their results with those from 18 healthy foals. All the foals belonged to equestrian clubs located in Tabriz, Iran.
- The sick foals were selected based on their medical history, clinical symptoms, and the presence of the R. equi bacteria in their tracheal washing as confirmed by bacterial culture.
- To confirm R. equi infection, biochemical tests and polymerase chain reaction methods targeting 16S rRNA and vapA genes were employed.
- After identifying the sick and healthy foals, the researchers collected blood samples from each one, from which they extracted serum for APP measurement.
Research Findings
The main findings from the research are:
- Rhodococcus equi pneumonia resulted in a significant increase in the serum concentration of haptoglobin and serum amyloid A in the infected foals as compared to the healthy ones.
- There was a significant correlation between the levels of SAA and Hp in the infected group, which was absent in the healthy group.
- In cases where clinical symptoms of R. equi pneumonia were present, the concentration of SAA and Hp can be beneficial in determining the efficacy of the treatment.
Implications of the Findings
The researchers concluded that the serum concentration analysis of acute-phase proteins, specifically haptoglobin and serum amyloid A, could assist in the early diagnosis of Rhodococcus equi pneumonia. This early detection can ensure that treatment can begin sooner, thereby improving the prognosis for infected foals. This finding is relevant for the care and management of Arabian foals in equestrian settings.
Cite This Article
APA
Hassanpour A, Moghaddam S.
(2022).
Evaluation of serum concentration of acute-phase proteins (haptoglobin and serum amyloid A) in the affected Arabian foals with rhodococcosis.
Vet Med Sci, 9(1), 144-149.
https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.1005 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Science, Tabriz Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran.
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses
- Serum Amyloid A Protein / analysis
- Serum Amyloid A Protein / metabolism
- Acute-Phase Proteins
- Haptoglobins
- Actinomycetales Infections / diagnosis
- Actinomycetales Infections / microbiology
- Actinomycetales Infections / veterinary
- RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
- Pneumonia, Bacterial / diagnosis
- Pneumonia, Bacterial / microbiology
- Pneumonia, Bacterial / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.
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