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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Vet Intern Med / Factors Associated with Survival in 97 Horses with Septic Pl...
Journal of veterinary internal medicine2017; 31(3); 894-900; doi: 10.1111/jvim.14679

Factors Associated with Survival in 97 Horses with Septic Pleuropneumonia.

Abstract: Septic pleuropneumonia is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in horses, but there is limited data available regarding factors associated with survival. Objective: To identify factors predictive of survival in horses with septic pleuropneumonia. Methods: A total of 97 horses with septic pleuropneumonia at 2 referral institutions. Methods: A retrospective study was performed. A diagnosis of septic pleuropneumonia was based on the presence of sepsis, pleural effusion, and positive bacterial culture from tracheal aspiration (TA) or pleural fluid (PF). Results: Thirty-one percent of horses had a recent history of travel. Clinical signs included lethargy (78%), tachycardia (75%), tachypnea (60%), fever (43%), prolonged capillary refill time (22%), and ventral edema (14%). The most common clinicopathologic abnormality was hyperfibrinogenemia (79%). Increased serum creatinine concentration at presentation was negatively associated with survival (OR, 5.13; CI, 1.88-14.01; P = .001) and return to work (OR, 6.46; CI, 1.10-37.92; P = .034). Eighty-four TA and 67 PF samples were submitted for culture, 98 and 84% of which were positive, respectively. The most common isolate was Streptococcus equi subsp zooepidemicus. Tracheal aspirates were more sensitive than PF for bacterial growth, but some organisms isolated from PF were not isolated from TA. Thoracotomy was positively associated with survival (OR, 0.13; CI, 0.01-0.83; P = .028). Conclusions: Increased serum creatinine concentration is a negative prognostic indicator and is likely a reflection of dehydration. Submission of TA and PF is recommended. Thoracotomy should be considered as a treatment for pleuropneumonia.
Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
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Publication Date: 2017-03-08 PubMed ID: 28271546PubMed Central: PMC5435057DOI: 10.1111/jvim.14679Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

This research examines survival factors in horses affected by septic pleuropneumonia, identifying several indicators, like serum creatinine concentration and the role of thoracotomy, to predict survival rates.

Objective and Methodology

  • The research’s goal was to determine factors that predict survival in horses suffering from septic pleuropneumonia, a sickness that commonly contributes to the morbidity and mortality rates in horses.
  • The researchers conducted a retrospective study which reviewed 97 cases of horses with septic pleuropneumonia at two referral institutions.
  • Septic pleuropneumonia was diagnosed based on evidence of sepsis, pleural effusion (excess fluid around the lungs), and positive bacterial culture from tracheal aspiration (TA) or pleural fluid (PF).

Results and Observations

  • About 31% of the horses had a recent history of travel, which suggests that it may be a contributing factor.
  • The horses exhibited various clinical signs such as lethargy (78%), tachycardia (fast heart rate, 75%), tachypnea (rapid breathing, 60%), fever (43%), prolonged capillary refill time (slowed blood flow, 22%), and ventral edema (swelling in the lower region, 14%).
  • Hyperfibrinogenemia (high levels of fibrinogen in the blood, a protein related to blood clotting, 79%) was the most prevalent clinicopathologic abnormality.
  • An increased serum creatinine concentration (a marker for kidney function) at the time of presentation was inversely related to survival likelihood and the horse’s capability to resume work. This suggests that kidney health is crucial for survival and recovery.
  • Bacterial cultures were obtained from 84 TA and 67 PF samples. The majority of these were positive, with the most common isolate being Streptococcus equi subsp zooepidemicus.

Explanation and Conclusion

  • In general, tracheal aspirates (TA) were more prone to bacterial growth than pleural fluid (PF) samples. However, some organisms were only found in PF and not TA.
  • Thoracotomy – a surgical procedure to gain access to the chest cavity – significantly improved the survival odds of the horses. This emphasizes the potential benefit of surgical intervention for treating pleuropneumonia.
  • In conclusion, an increased serum creatinine concentration is a potential warning sign for a poor prognosis, probably indicating dehydration.
  • Therefore, due to variances in bacterial growth, it’s recommended to submit both TA and PF when diagonising for septic pleuropneumonia. Moreover, thoracotomy should be considered a possible treatment strategy.

Cite This Article

APA
Arroyo MG, Slovis NM, Moore GE, Taylor SD. (2017). Factors Associated with Survival in 97 Horses with Septic Pleuropneumonia. J Vet Intern Med, 31(3), 894-900. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.14679

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 1939-1676
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 31
Issue: 3
Pages: 894-900

Researcher Affiliations

Arroyo, M G
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
Slovis, N M
  • Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Lexington, KY.
Moore, G E
  • Department of Veterinary Administration, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
Taylor, S D
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / mortality
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Pleural Effusion / mortality
  • Pleural Effusion / veterinary
  • Pleuropneumonia / microbiology
  • Pleuropneumonia / mortality
  • Pleuropneumonia / veterinary
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Sepsis / mortality
  • Sepsis / veterinary
  • Streptococcal Infections / veterinary
  • Streptococcus equi

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Citations

This article has been cited 13 times.
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