Laboratory findings in respiratory fluids of the poorly-performing horse.
Abstract: Any disorder impairing a performance horse's ability to ventilate its lungs and exchange oxygen compromises exercise performance in any discipline. Since bronchoalveolar lavage was described in horses in the early 1980s, laboratory evaluation of respiratory fluids, along with clinical and functional assessment of the respiratory system, has become a relevant step in the diagnosis of respiratory disease affecting performance. The aim of this review is to provide objective information to assist clinicians in interpreting laboratory findings by (1) summarising published cytological references values in both clinically healthy horses and those with various airway diseases, (2) assessing the influence of physiological circumstances, such as exercise, on the cytological evaluation, (3) discussing the relationship between cytological and microbiological analyses, clinical signs and respiratory function, and (4) suggesting how this latter relationship may affect performance.
Copyright (c) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2009-05-29 PubMed ID: 19481964DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2009.05.003Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Review
- Bronchoalveolar Lavage
- Clinical Pathology
- Clinical Signs
- Clinical Study
- Cytology
- Diagnosis
- Diagnostic Technique
- Disease
- Disease Diagnosis
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Exercise Physiology
- Horses
- Laboratory Methods
- Lung Health
- Pathology
- Performance Horses
- Respiratory Disease
- Respiratory Health
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Research
Summary
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This research article reviews how laboratory evaluation of respiratory fluids can help diagnose respiratory diseases that affect performance in horses. It provides guidance on interpreting lab findings by discussing reference values, the impact of exercise, the link between cytological and microbiological analyses, clinical signs and respiratory function, and the potential impact on performance.
Interpretations of Laboratory Findings in Respiratory Fluids
- The authors start by explaining that respiratory diseases can affect the performance of a horse. The performance here refers to the horse’s ability to ventilate its lungs and exchange oxygen, an essential aspect for any discipline.
- Bronchoalveolar lavage, or the evaluation of respiratory fluids, along with clinical and functional assessment of the respiratory system, plays a crucial role in diagnosing such conditions. The paper primarily aims to provide information to assist clinicians in interpreting these laboratory findings.
Cytological Reference Values
- The paper provides a summary of cytological reference values. Effective interpretation of the lab results requires understanding the normal (reference) values, as deviations could indicate an underlying condition.
- These reference values might differ for healthy horses and those with various airway diseases, and understanding this difference can aid in diagnosis.
Influence of Exercise on Cytological Evaluation
- Lab results interpretation should also take into consideration the physiological circumstances of the horse, such as exercise.
- Exercise might influence these cytological evaluations as it affects the horse’s respiration and hence might trigger changes in the respiratory fluids.
Correlation of Cytological and Microbiological Analyses
- The review discusses the relationship between cytological and microbiological analyses, which means it examines how changes in cell structure (cytological analysis) align with the presence or absence of microbes (microbiological analysis).
- Understanding this relationship could provide deeper insights into the cause of the respiratory disease and possible treatments.
Impact on Performance
- Lastly, the paper suggests how the relationship between cytology, microbiology, clinical signs, and respiratory function might affect the performance of the horse.
- By understanding this, clinicians can devise therapeutic strategies not only to treat the disease but also to enhance the horse’s performance.
Cite This Article
APA
Richard EA, Fortier GD, Lekeux PM, Van Erck E.
(2009).
Laboratory findings in respiratory fluids of the poorly-performing horse.
Vet J, 185(2), 115-122.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2009.05.003 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- CIRALE-ENVA, RD 675, 14430 Goustranville, France. eric.richard@web.de
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Bronchoalveolar Lavage / veterinary
- Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / cytology
- Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / microbiology
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horses
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Respiratory Tract Diseases / diagnosis
- Respiratory Tract Diseases / veterinary
- Trachea / cytology
Citations
This article has been cited 18 times.- Woodrow JS, Hines M, Sommardahl C, Flatland B, Lo Y, Wang Z, Sheats MK, Lennon EM. Initial investigation of molecular phenotypes of airway mast cells and cytokine profiles in equine asthma. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:997139.
- Lo Feudo CM, Stucchi L, Stancari G, Alberti E, Conturba B, Zucca E, Ferrucci F. Associations between Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH) and Fitness Parameters Measured by Incremental Treadmill Test in Standardbred Racehorses. Animals (Basel) 2022 Feb 12;12(4).
- Shawaf T, Almubarak A, Alhumam N, Almathen F, Hussen J. Cytological analysis of tracheal wash and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in health and respiratory disease in dromedary camels. PeerJ 2021;9:e11723.
- Stucchi L, Alberti E, Stancari G, Conturba B, Zucca E, Ferrucci F. The Relationship between Lung Inflammation and Aerobic Threshold in Standardbred Racehorses with Mild-Moderate Equine Asthma. Animals (Basel) 2020 Jul 27;10(8).
- Bond SL, Greco-Otto P, MacLeod J, Galezowski A, Bayly W, Léguillette R. Efficacy of dexamethasone, salbutamol, and reduced respirable particulate concentration on aerobic capacity in horses with smoke-induced mild asthma. J Vet Intern Med 2020 Mar;34(2):979-985.
- Ivester KM, Couëtil LL, Moore GE. An observational study of environmental exposures, airway cytology, and performance in racing thoroughbreds. J Vet Intern Med 2018 Sep;32(5):1754-1762.
- Rossi H, Virtala AM, Raekallio M, Rahkonen E, Rajamäki MM, Mykkänen A. Comparison of Tracheal Wash and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Cytology in 154 Horses With and Without Respiratory Signs in a Referral Hospital Over 2009-2015. Front Vet Sci 2018;5:61.
- Doubli-Bounoua N, Richard EA, Léon A, Pitel PH, Pronost S, Fortier G. Multiple molecular detection of respiratory viruses and associated signs of airway inflammation in racehorses. Virol J 2016 Nov 29;13(1):197.
- Karagianni AE, Kapetanovic R, Summers KM, McGorum BC, Hume DA, Pirie RS. Comparative transcriptome analysis of equine alveolar macrophages. Equine Vet J 2017 May;49(3):375-382.
- Couëtil LL, Cardwell JM, Gerber V, Lavoie JP, Léguillette R, Richard EA. Inflammatory Airway Disease of Horses--Revised Consensus Statement. J Vet Intern Med 2016 Mar-Apr;30(2):503-15.
- Richard EA, Depecker M, Defontis M, Leleu C, Fortier G, Pitel PH, Couroucé-Malblanc A. Cytokine concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from horses with neutrophilic inflammatory airway disease. J Vet Intern Med 2014 Nov-Dec;28(6):1838-44.
- Beekman L, Tohver T, Dardari R, Léguillette R. Evaluation of suitable reference genes for gene expression studies in bronchoalveolar lavage cells from horses with inflammatory airway disease. BMC Mol Biol 2011 Jan 28;12:5.
- Bartenschlager F, Kuropka B, Schmitz P, Dumke F, Landmann K, Gruber AD, Weise C, Schnabel CL, Gehlen H, Mundhenk L. Proteomic profiling of equine airway mucus reveals compositional changes in asthmatic phenotypes. Sci Rep 2026 Feb 10;16(1):5880.
- Pınar O, Çelik Doğan C, Aktaran Bala D, Kumaş C, Mete A. Analysis of the presence of Beta-hemolytic streptococci and cytological profiles in horse tracheal lavage samples with diverse clinical respiratory symptoms. BMC Vet Res 2025 Oct 2;21(1):558.
- Röschmann J, Naef J, Doras C, Gerber V. Respiratory Rate Recovery After Submaximal Lunging Exercise Is Delayed in Asthmatic Horses with Neutrophilic Airway Inflammation. Animals (Basel) 2025 Mar 2;15(5).
- Meiseberg LK, Delarocque J, de Buhr N, Ohnesorge B. Clinical variability of equine asthma phenotypes and analysis of diagnostic steps in phenotype differentiation. Acta Vet Scand 2024 Sep 18;66(1):51.
- Lemonnier LC, Couroucé A, Cessans M, Petit L, Cardwell JM, Barbazanges P, Toquet M-, Richard EA. Detection of fungi in the airways of horses according to the sample site: a methodological study. Vet Res Commun 2024 Feb;48(1):345-355.
- Kozłowska N, Wierzbicka M, Pawliński B, Domino M. Co-Occurrence of Severe Equine Asthma and Palatal Disorders in Privately Owned Pleasure Horses. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jun 12;13(12).
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