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BMC veterinary research2018; 14(1); 21; doi: 10.1186/s12917-018-1343-1

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in horses: a retrospective study exploring the value of different diagnostic approaches.

Abstract: Diagnosing IBD in horses is challenging and requires a multimodal approach, since no conclusive diagnostic test is available. The objectives of this study were to provide an overview of population characteristics, results of applied diagnostic tests, treatment modalities and outcome in a large group of horses thought to have IBD and that were presented to four large equine referral hospitals, and to provide an exploratory investigation of possible associations between results of applied diagnostic tests, applied treatment modalities and outcome. A retrospective case series was performed across four large equine referral hospitals. Seventy-eight horses, thought to have IBD were included. Case history, clinical findings, diagnostic test results including oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and enteral biopsies (both duodenal and rectal), applied therapy and outcome were studied. A Chi-Square test was used to identify associations between results of diagnostic tests, treatment and outcome. P-values < 0.05 were considered significant. Results: Lethargy, diarrhoea, recurrent colic and weight loss were recorded in respectively 21,8%; 14,1%; 28,2% and 78,2% of cases. Over 70% of horses thought to have IBD had an abnormal OGTT. Only weight loss was significantly associated with aberrant enteral biopsy results, but not with abnormal OGTT results or low blood total protein. There was no association between an aberrant biopsy result and a disturbed OGTT. There was no association between either OGTT results or enteral biopsy results and a low blood total protein content, presence of gastric ulcer disease or an aberrant endoscopic aspect of the duodenal entrance. Conclusions: Weight loss is a highly prevalent symptom in IBD suspected horses. Enteral biopsies may be a useful diagnostic aid in the work-up of horses thought to suffer from IBD, however further research is required to demonstrate their true diagnostic value. Until more standardized scientific research is available, one should be careful with the interpretation of enteral biopsy results There is a need for better standardization of enteral biopsy procedures and the histopathological scoring of biopsies.
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Publication Date: 2018-01-19 PubMed ID: 29351774PubMed Central: PMC5775604DOI: 10.1186/s12917-018-1343-1Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Multicenter Study

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 investigates the effectiveness of various diagnosis techniques for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in horses. The researchers conducted retrospective case studies across four large equine referral hospitals, examining previous case histories, clinical findings, diagnostic test results, and treatment outcomes.

Study Design

  • The study was a retrospective case series conducted across four large equine referral hospitals. It investigated 78 horses thought to have IBD.
  • Information such as case history, clinical findings, diagnostic test results including oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and enteral biopsies (both duodenal and rectal), applied therapy and outcome were examined.
  • Statistical tests were used to explore associations between results of diagnostic tests, treatment, and outcome. This included the Chi-Square test with P-values < 0.05 considered significant.

Results

  • The results showed that symptoms like lethargy, diarrhea, recurrent colic, and weight loss were common among the cases studied.
  • It was found that over 70% of horses thought to have IBD exhibited an abnormal glucose tolerance test (OGTT).
  • Only weight loss was significantly associated with aberrant enteral biopsy results, but there was no correlation with abnormal OGTT results, low blood total protein, nor the presence of gastric ulcer disease.
  • An aberrant biopsy result did not correlate with a disturbed OGTT, or with a low blood total protein content. There was also no association between biopsy results and an aberrant endoscopic view of the duodenal entrance.

Conclusions

  • Weight loss was identified as a highly prevalent symptom in horses suspected of having IBD.
  • Enteral biopsies were found to be potentially useful in diagnosing IBD in horses, but further research is necessary to verify their diagnostic value.
  • The authors concluded that caution should be exercised in interpreting enteral biopsy results until more standardized scientific research is available.
  • There is a need for better standardization of enteral biopsy procedures and the histopathological scoring of the biopsies to improve the diagnostic process for IBD in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Boshuizen B, Ploeg M, Dewulf J, Klooster S, Bruijn M, Picavet MT, Palmers K, Plancke L, Cock H, Theelen M, Delesalle C. (2018). Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in horses: a retrospective study exploring the value of different diagnostic approaches. BMC Vet Res, 14(1), 21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-018-1343-1

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 14
Issue: 1
Pages: 21

Researcher Affiliations

Boshuizen, Berit
  • Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Research Group of Comparative Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
  • Wolvega Equine Clinic, Oldeholtpade, Wolvega, The Netherlands.
Ploeg, Margreet
  • Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Dewulf, Jeroen
  • Department of Obstetrics, Reproduction and Herd health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Klooster, Sanne
  • Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Bruijn, Marco de
  • Wolvega Equine Clinic, Oldeholtpade, Wolvega, The Netherlands.
Picavet, Marie- Thérèse
  • DBP Veterinary Services, Moerbeke-Waas, Belgium.
Palmers, Katrien
  • De Morette Equine Clinic, Asse, Belgium.
Plancke, Lukas
  • Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Research Group of Comparative Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Cock, Hilde De
  • Veterinary Pathology Services/Medvet laboratory, Antwerp, Belgium.
Theelen, Mathijs
  • Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Delesalle, Catherine
  • Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Research Group of Comparative Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium. Catherine.Delesalle@ugent.be.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Biopsy / veterinary
  • Blood Proteins / analysis
  • Female
  • Glucose Tolerance Test / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
  • Horse Diseases / therapy
  • Horses
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / diagnosis
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / therapy
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / veterinary
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Stomach Ulcer / veterinary
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Weight Loss

Conflict of Interest Statement

ETHICS APPROVAL: All samples were collected for diagnostic purposes. All horse owners signed informed consent forms. CONSENT FOR PUBLICATION: Not applicable for this study. COMPETING INTERESTS: The authors declare that they have no competing interests. PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

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Citations

This article has been cited 10 times.
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