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Fecal Secretory Immunoglobulin A and Lactate Level as a Biomarker of Mucosal Immune Dysfunction in Horses With Colic.
Abstract: Colic-related obstructions can reduced intestinal mucosa function and cause dysbiosis in horses, but it is unclear how defense barrier and secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) secretion is disrupted. Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of severity of colic signs and treatments on fecal SIgA and fecal lactate in horses. Methods: Sixty-two client owned hospitalised horses with colic and eight healthy horses. Methods: Prospective clinical trial. Fecal samples were taken daily for 7 days. SIgA was analyzed using ELISA, and D/L-lactate measured with a commercial kit. Results: At Day 0, SIgA values in the colic medical and colic surgical groups were significantly higher than in the control stable group (U = 126.0, p = 0.099, Cliff's ∆ = 0.58 and U = 248.0, p = 0.005, Cliff's ∆ = 0.72, respectively). We found significant correlation between fecal SIgA and fecal lactate level in D0 (rs = 0.421, p = 0.038). Conclusions: This study demonstrates the feasibility of using fecal samples to identify biomarkers of colic in horses. An increase in fecal SIgA in horses with colic might suggest the presence of inflammation within the intestines and disruption of the mucosal barrier. These data highlight changes in gastrointestinal barrier and immune function and the intestinal microbiota's metabolic activity in horses with colic.
© 2025 The Author(s). Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Publication Date: 2025-03-27 PubMed ID: 40145309PubMed Central: PMC11947735DOI: 10.1111/jvim.70073Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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This research article investigates the use of fecal Secretory Immunoglobulin A (SIgA) and lactate level as potential biomarkers for intestinal immune dysfunction in horses with colic. It found a significant increase in fecal SIgA and a correlation with fecal lactate level in horses with colic, indicating that these might be effective markers for intestinal inflammation and mucosal barrier disruption in such conditions.
Research Objectives
- The primary aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of the severity of colic symptoms and treatment approaches on the level of SIgA and fecal lactate in horses.
- The researchers aimed to understand how colic-related obstructions affect the intestinal function, particularly the defense barrier and the secretion of SIgA. Uncertainty surrounds how these obstructions disrupt these processes, and the research targeted to address this gap.
Research Methods
- The study involved 62 patient-owned horses hospitalized with colic symptoms, along with 8 healthy horses for control research.
- They conducted a prospective clinical trial in which they took daily fecal samples from these horses over a week.
- The team utilized the ELISA technique for analyzing SIgA and measured D/L-lactate levels with a commercially available kit.
Research Findings
- The researchers discovered that at the beginning of their observations, SIgA values in both medical and surgical colic groups were significantly higher compared to the control group.
- The study also found a significant correlation between fecal SIgA and fecal lactate level on the first day of observation (D0).
Conclusions
- The findings suggest that evaluating fecal samples for SIgA and lactate levels could be a viable method to identify potential biomarkers of colic in horses.
- A noticeable increase in fecal SIgA in horses suffering from colic might indicate inflammation within the intestines and disruption of the mucosal barrier.
- The research brings to light the changes in gastrointestinal barrier and immune functions and the altered metabolic activity of the intestinal microbiota in horses struggling with colic.
Cite This Article
APA
Żak-Bochenek A, Drábková Z, Sergedaite V, Siwińska N, Bajzert J, Pasak D, Chełmońska-Soyta A.
(2025).
Fecal Secretory Immunoglobulin A and Lactate Level as a Biomarker of Mucosal Immune Dysfunction in Horses With Colic.
J Vet Intern Med, 39(3), e70073.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.70073 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Immunology, Pathophysiology and Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland.
- Equine Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.
- Equine Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.
- Department of Internal Diseases With Clinic of Horses, Dogs and Cats, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland.
- Department of Immunology, Pathophysiology and Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland.
- Department of Immunology, Pathophysiology and Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland.
- Department of Immunology, Pathophysiology and Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses
- Colic / veterinary
- Colic / immunology
- Horse Diseases / immunology
- Feces / chemistry
- Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / analysis
- Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / metabolism
- Lactic Acid / analysis
- Biomarkers / analysis
- Male
- Female
- Prospective Studies
- Immunity, Mucosal
Grant Funding
- 2024 ITA 14 / University of Veterinary Sciences Brno
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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