Hematologic, prostaglandin F2α -metabolite, serum amyloid A, and serum iron changes in horses with experimentally induced endotoxemia.
Abstract: Endotoxemia is a common and severe disease of horses. Most previous studies have monitored changes caused by a bolus dose of endotoxin over short time periods. Objective: We aimed to describe inflammatory responses to endotoxin with inflammatory and hematologic markers monitored over a longer time than has been performed in the past using more prolonged endotoxin exposures. Methods: Escherichia coli O55:B5 endotoxin was administered as a 6-hour continuous intravenous infusion of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to eight horses. Blood cell counts, and prostaglandin F -metabolite (PGM), serum amyloid A (SAA), and serum total iron concentrations were monitored for up to 3 or 6 days. Results: An immediate and severe decrease in neutrophils and monocytes occurred in all horses, which subsequently changed to a moderate to strong neutrophilia and monocytosis that persisted for more than 78 hours postinfusion (PI) of LPS. Lymphocyte and eosinophil numbers decreased gradually and then normalized after 66- and 78-hours PI, respectively. Mild to moderate, biphasic thrombocytopenia occurred. A pronounced, transient increase in PGM occurred between 1 and 7 hours, peaking at 2 hours. Serum amyloid A began to increase after 6 hours PI and remained elevated after 72 hours PI. Serum iron was decreased between 6 and 48 hours. The clinical signs were most prominent during the first 24 hours PI and subsided within 48 hours PI. Conclusions: Neutrophilia, monocytoses, and high SAA concentrations were present in horses even after the clinical signs had subsided. Serum iron normalized before SAA. Knowledge of these findings is imperative when interpreting laboratory results in horses with possible endotoxin exposure.
© 2020 American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology.
Publication Date: 2020-06-15 PubMed ID: 32539184DOI: 10.1111/vcp.12870Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research investigates the impacts of endotoxemia on horses, focusing on changes in inflammatory and hematologic markers over an extended period of time. The study utilized a continuous infusion of Escherichia coli O55:B5 endotoxin over 6 hours and monitored changes in blood cells, prostaglandin F-metabolite, serum amyloid A, and serum total iron concentrations in horses for up to 6 days.
Study Design and Methods
- The researchers used a controlled experiment where eight horses were given an intravenous infusion of Escherichia coli O55:B5 endotoxin over a span of 6 hours. This type of bacteria often results in a severe inflammation response, and it is frequently used in studies related to inflammation and infection.
- The team observed a variety of blood markers including blood cell counts (like neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocytes, eosinophils, and platelets) and other specific chemicals in the blood such as Prostaglandin F-metabolite (PGM), Serum Amyloid A (SAA), and serum total iron concentrations.
- These observations were conducted across an extensive period of time, up to 6 days, which is longer than typical studies of this nature.
Key Findings
- The research revealed that an immediate and substantial reduction in neutrophils and monocytes occurred in all studied animals. This condition later shifted to a moderate to severe increase of these cell types, maintaining for more than 78 hours post-infusion.
- The number of lymphocytes and eosinophils gradually decreased, eventually normalizing 66 and 78 hours post-infusion, respectively.
- A noticeable, but temporary, increase in Prostaglandin F-metabolite was spotted between the first and the seventh hour, peaking at the second hour.
- Serum Amyloid A, an acute-phase protein that spikes in the bloodstream in response to inflammation, began rising 6 hours post-infusion and remained elevated after 72 hours.
- Serum iron levels dropped between the sixth and 48th hour post-infusion. However, most clinical symptoms were more prominent during the first 24 hours and eased within 48 hours.
- Even after the clinical signs had subsided, increased levels of neutrophils, monocytes, and serum amyloid A protein were observed.
Conclusion
- The research concluded that horses exposed to endotoxemia presented a considerable change in their blood cell counts and chemical compositions over a specific time frame.
- The findings can provide valuable insights when interpreting laboratory results for horses following potential endotoxin exposure.
- While the clinical signs of endotoxemia may subside fairly quickly, the biological signs within the bloodstream can persist for a more extended period. Thus, diagnosis and treatments may need to consider these persisting effects to achieve effective recovery.
Cite This Article
APA
Lilliehöök I, Bröjer J, Nostell K, Kindahl H, Tvedten HW, Edner A, Hagman R.
(2020).
Hematologic, prostaglandin F2α -metabolite, serum amyloid A, and serum iron changes in horses with experimentally induced endotoxemia.
Vet Clin Pathol, 49(2), 319-325.
https://doi.org/10.1111/vcp.12870 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
- University Animal Hospital, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
- University Animal Hospital, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Endotoxemia / blood
- Endotoxemia / chemically induced
- Endotoxemia / veterinary
- Endotoxins / toxicity
- Escherichia coli / chemistry
- Hematologic Tests / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / blood
- Horse Diseases / chemically induced
- Horses
- Iron / blood
- Lipopolysaccharides / administration & dosage
- Monocytes / drug effects
- Neutrophils / drug effects
- Prostaglandins / blood
- Serum Amyloid A Protein / analysis
Grant Funding
- Swedish Foundation for Equine Research
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Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Mercer MA, Davis JL, McKenzie HC. The Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutic Evaluation of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in Adult Horses. Animals (Basel) 2023 May 10;13(10).
- Mercer MA, Davis JL, McKenzie HC, Messenger KM, Schaefer E, Council-Troche RM, Werre SR. Pharmacokinetics and efficacy of orally administered acetaminophen (paracetamol) in adult horses with experimentally induced endotoxemia. J Vet Intern Med 2023 Mar;37(2):718-727.
- Hallowell KL, Hepworth-Warren KL, Dembek K. An updated description of bacterial pneumonia in adult horses and factors associated with death. J Vet Intern Med 2024 Sep-Oct;38(5):2766-2775.
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