Parallel testing of plasma iron and fibrinogen concentrations to detect systemic inflammation in hospitalized horses.
Abstract: To determine if plasma iron concentration is different between horses with and without systemic inflammation (SI) and to assess the accuracy for the detection of SI by assaying plasma iron and fibrinogen concentrations, individually or combined. To assess the prognostic value of plasma iron concentration and to describe the progression of plasma iron and fibrinogen concentrations during hospital follow-up, and its relation to SI and survival. Methods: Prospective observational study evaluating plasma iron and fibrinogen. Methods: University veterinary teaching hospital. Methods: Equine patients greater than 30 days of age. Methods: None. Results: Plasma iron and fibrinogen concentration was prospectively determined in hospitalized horses. Horses were classified into 2 groups: SI and non-SI. Horses were also classified according to clinical outcome. A group of control healthy horses was also included. A total of 135 horses were included in the study. Plasma iron concentration was significantly lower and fibrinogen concentration was higher in the SI group. Nonsurvivors had a mean plasma fibrinogen concentration significantly higher than survivors. The combination of plasma iron and fibrinogen has a high degree of specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy for the detection of SI in horses. Follow-up measurements were obtained in 48 horses. Surviving horses normalized plasma iron concentration during follow-up examination whereas nonsurviving horses had persistently low plasma iron concentrations. Conclusions: Plasma iron concentration alone is an accurate marker of SI in hospitalized horses. Alteration of both plasma iron and fibrinogen concentrations improves the specificity and positive predictive value for diagnosis of SI. Alteration of either one of both increases sensitivity and negative predictive value. Surviving horses normalized plasma iron concentrations during follow-up period. The combination of plasma iron and fibrinogen concentrations may help in the detection of SI. Follow-up of plasma iron concentrations may provide useful prognostic information.
© Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society 2014.
Publication Date: 2014-07-15 PubMed ID: 25041453DOI: 10.1111/vec.12189Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research study assesses the accuracy of using plasma iron and fibrinogen concentrations to detect systemic inflammation in horses, and explores the potential of plasma iron as a prognostic marker.
Objective of the Study
The main aim of this study was to explore the differences in plasma iron concentration among horses with and without systemic inflammation (SI). It also aimed to verify the individual and combined accuracy of plasma iron and fibrinogen concentrations in detecting SI among hospitalized horses. Besides, the project sought to determine the prognostic value of plasma iron concentration and to understand the progression of plasma iron and fibrinogen concentrations during hospital follow-up and their relation to SI and survival.
Methods Used in the Study
- The study was a Prospective observational study that evaluated plasma iron and fibrinogen concentrations in equine patients aged over 30 days.
- The research was conducted at a university veterinary teaching hospital.
- Horses were divided into two groups according to their SI status: SI and non-SI. Clinical outcome was another classification of the horses.
- A control group of healthy horses was included for comparison.
- In total, 135 horses were observed for this study.
Results of the Study
- The study found significant differences in plasma iron and fibrinogen concentrations between the SI and non-SI groups. The SI group had a lower plasma iron concentration and a higher fibrinogen concentration.
- Nonsurvivors had a mean plasma fibrinogen concentration significantly higher than survivors.
- The combined measurement of plasma iron and fibrinogen showed high accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity in detecting SI in horses.
- During the follow-up, the study noted that surviving horses normalized their plasma iron concentrations, while nonsurviving horses continued to have low plasma iron levels.
Conclusions of the Study
- The study concluded that plasma iron concentration, measured individually, is a reliable marker of SI in hospitalized horses.
- When both plasma iron and fibrinogen concentrations were assessed, the specificity and positive predictive value for SI diagnosis improved. Altering either one or both of these markers increased the sensitivity and negative predictive value.
- The study suggests that the combination of plasma iron and fibrinogen concentrations might be beneficial in detecting SI, and following up plasma iron concentrations might provide a valuable prognostic information.
Cite This Article
APA
Corradini I, Armengou L, Viu J, Rodríguez-Pozo ML, Cesarini C, Jose-Cunilleras E.
(2014).
Parallel testing of plasma iron and fibrinogen concentrations to detect systemic inflammation in hospitalized horses.
J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio), 24(4), 414-420.
https://doi.org/10.1111/vec.12189 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Servei de Medicina Interna Equina, Fundació Hospital Clínic Veterinari and Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08193, Spain.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Fibrinogen / metabolism
- Horse Diseases / blood
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horses
- Hospitals, Animal
- Inflammation / blood
- Inflammation / diagnosis
- Inflammation / veterinary
- Iron / blood
- Predictive Value of Tests
- Sensitivity and Specificity
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Sanmartí J, Armengou L, Viu J, Alguacil E, Civit S, Ríos J, Jose-Cunilleras E. Plasma iron concentrations and systemic inflammatory response syndrome in neonatal foals. J Vet Intern Med 2020 May;34(3):1325-1331.
- Junkkari R, Simojoki H, Heiskanen ML, Pelkonen S, Sankari S, Tulamo RM, Mykkänen A. A comparison of unheated loose housing with stables on the respiratory health of weaned-foals in cold winter conditions: an observational field-study. Acta Vet Scand 2017 Oct 26;59(1):73.
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