Exhaled breath condensate analysis in horses: A scoping review.

The research article summarizes findings from a review of previous studies on the collection and analysis of Exhaled Breath Condensate (EBC) in horses, a non- invasive method used to assess the health status of a horse’s respiratory system.

Objective of the Study

• The main objective of this scoping review was to provide an update on the collection and analysis of EBC in horses. EBC analysis is a non-invasive method that provides essential data about the respiratory system’s health status by measuring inflammatory mediators like pH, hydrogen peroxide, and leukotriene B4.

Methods of Research

• The researchers carried out a systematic search on three electronic databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct, resulting in 40,978 articles. The duplicates, numbering 1,590, were excluded.
• From these, the researchers further narrowed down the articles by excluding 39,388 of them because they did not relate to the review topic. These included studies on different species, studies concerning respiratory exhalation, reviews, and dissertations.
• Ultimately, 14 articles were evaluated in this review. These articles were analyzed and compared to notice any significant differences in the collection, storage, and process of EBC samples in horses.

Research Findings

• The review found considerable differences in the methods used to collect, store, and process EBC samples among the different studies analyzed.
• It emphasized the need for a standardized technique and the usage of specific equipment. This would significantly improve the interpretation of the results and allow for a more solid comparative analysis in further research.
• Furthermore, establishing a standardized technique provides a reliable method for assessing the health status of the respiratory system in horses, potentially improving clinical decision-making and the overall health care of horses.