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Journal of veterinary internal medicine2015; 29(2); 651-658; doi: 10.1111/jvim.12542

Influence of disease process and duration on acute phase proteins in serum and peritoneal fluid of horses with colic.

Abstract: The acute phase proteins (APP) serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin, and fibrinogen are valuable blood biomarkers in equine inflammatory diseases, but knowledge of factors influencing their concentrations in blood and peritoneal fluid (PF) of horses with colic is needed. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of demographics (age, sex, breed), disease process (simple obstruction, strangulating obstruction, inflammatory), disease location, disease duration, hypovolemia, and admission hospital on concentrations of APP, lactate and white blood cell counts (WBC) in horses with colic admitted to 2 referral hospitals. Methods: The study included 367 horses with colic admitted at 2 referral hospitals. Methods: Prospective multicenter observational study of clinical data, as well as blood and PF biomarkers. Associations between biomarker concentrations and clinical variables were analyzed using multivariate linear regression analysis. Results: Increasing pre-admission duration of colic was associated with increased concentrations of APP in blood and PF. Blood concentrations of SAA and fibrinogen were associated with disease process (inflammatory, strangulations, simple obstructions) in more colic duration groups (5-12 and >24 hours) than any of the other biomarkers. No relevant associations between demographic factors, hospital, or hydration status and the measured biomarkers were found. Conclusions: In horses with colic, concentrations of APP are associated mainly with disease process and duration of colic and may thus be used for assessment of disease independently of demographic or geographic factors. Serum amyloid A may be a diagnostic marker for use in colic differential diagnosis, but further evaluation is needed.
Copyright © 2015 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
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Publication Date: 2015-01-29 PubMed ID: 25644457PubMed Central: PMC4895517DOI: 10.1111/jvim.12542Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 how factors such as the type of disease, its duration, and demographics can impact the levels of certain biomarkers – acute phase proteins (APP) – in the blood and peritoneal fluid of horses suffering from colic. The research found that the concentrations of these acute phase proteins were largely influenced by the process and duration of the disease, implying they could be used for independent assessment of the disease irrespective of demographic or geographic factors.

Research Objectives and Methodology

  • The objective of the study was to discern the influence of factors like age, sex, breed, disease process (viz. simple obstruction, strangulating obstruction, inflammatory), disease location, disease duration, hypovolemia and admission hospital on the concentrations of APP, lactate, and white blood cell count in horses suffering from colic.
  • The research included 367 horses with colic admitted to two referral hospitals.
  • The researchers carried out a prospective multicenter observational study, using clinical data, blood and peritoneal fluid biomarkers to conduct the investigation.
  • The researchers analyzed associations between biomarker concentrations and clinical variables through multivariate linear regression analysis.

Research Findings

  • The duration of colic prior to admission was found to be related to increased concentrations of APP in both blood and peritoneal fluid of the horses.
  • Concentrations of two specific APPs, Serum Amyloid A (SAA) and fibrinogen were associated more with the disease process (inflammatory, strangulations, simple obstructions) in more colic duration groups (5-12 and >24 hours) than any of the other biomarkers studied.
  • The studied demographics, hospital admission status, or hydration status of the horses did not reveal any significant correlations with the measured biomarker levels.

Conclusions and Implications

  • For horses suffering from colic, the concentrations of acute phase proteins are mainly associated with the disease process itself and the duration of colic. This suggests that these proteins could potentially be used for disease assessment independently of demographic or geographic factors.
  • Serum Amyloid A (SAA) in specific, might serve as a diagnostic marker for differentiating between types of colic, but the researchers suggest that further evaluation is required for confirmation.

Cite This Article

APA
Pihl TH, Scheepers E, Sanz M, Goddard A, Page P, Toft N, Andersen PH, Jacobsen S. (2015). Influence of disease process and duration on acute phase proteins in serum and peritoneal fluid of horses with colic. J Vet Intern Med, 29(2), 651-658. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.12542

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 1939-1676
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 29
Issue: 2
Pages: 651-658

Researcher Affiliations

Pihl, T H
  • Department of Large Animal Sciences, Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Taastrup, Denmark.
Scheepers, E
    Sanz, M
      Goddard, A
        Page, P
          Toft, N
            Andersen, P H
              Jacobsen, S

                MeSH Terms

                • Acute-Phase Proteins / chemistry
                • Acute-Phase Proteins / metabolism
                • Animals
                • Ascitic Fluid / chemistry
                • Biomarkers / blood
                • Biomarkers / metabolism
                • Colic / blood
                • Colic / pathology
                • Colic / veterinary
                • Female
                • Horse Diseases / blood
                • Horse Diseases / metabolism
                • Horses
                • Male

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                Citations

                This article has been cited 11 times.
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