Pathology of gastritis and gastric ulceration in the horse. Part 2: a scoring system.
Abstract: High numbers of racehorses in training are reported to have gastric ulceration. Gross lesion scoring systems exist, but there is no fixed protocol with which to record gastric microscopic findings. In man, the histological classification of stomach lesions helps in the identification of recognised and emerging aetiologies of gastric disease and aids accurate comparison of findings between studies. In horses, the development of such a system would therefore be of benefit. Objective: To develop a pathological scoring system that can be applied to examine samples of the equine stomach at biopsy and post mortem. Results: The equine gastritis grading (EGG) system was developed initially using horse stomachs at post mortem. The protocol involved sampling tissue from 5 fixed locations within the squamous and glandular regions. Histological examination recorded both type and degree of inflammatory infiltrate and the presence of erosions, ulceration or any other reactive change in each slide. These results were combined and an overall diagnosis of gastritis type given for each stomach. Conclusions: This is the first example of a complete pathological scoring system developed specifically for recording gastric lesions in the horse. It provides a thorough and repeatable method with which to examine the equine stomach in microscopic detail. It can be used in diagnostic or research situations and the consistency of the information gathered will enable accurate comparison of data between different studies. It aims to give an indication as to the currently undetermined pathological variations seen in the stomach of healthy and diseased horses, as well as increasing the understanding of the pathogenesis of gastritis and gastric ulceration. Using this information, interpretation of biopsy samples is improved.
Publication Date: 2009-11-26 PubMed ID: 19927582DOI: 10.2746/042516409x464799Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research focuses on developing a standardized scoring system, called the equine gastritis grading system (EGG), to identify and record gastric lesions or diseases in horses, akin to similar systems used in humans. This could not only find use in diagnosis but also in conducting research and making comparisons across various studies.
The Need for Gastric Lesion Scoring System
- Many racehorses reportedly suffer from gastric ulceration, but until now, there has been no established protocol to systematically record gastric microscopic findings.
- In humans, a histological classification system exists. This system helps in identifying various causes of gastric diseases and enables accurate comparison of findings across different studies.
- The development of such a system for horses could help in more efficient diagnosis and understanding of the pathogenesis of gastritis and gastric ulceration.
Development of EGG System
- The EGG scoring system was initially developed using horse stomachs at post mortem. It involves sampling tissue from five fixed locations within the squamous and glandular regions of the stomach.
- During histological examination, researchers recorded the type and degree of inflammatory infiltrate, along with the presence of erosions, ulceration or any other reactive change in each slide. The findings from each slide were then combined to diagnose the type of gastritis present in each horse’s stomach.
Implications of the EGG System
- The EGG system is the first of its kind, offering a comprehensive scoring system developed specifically for recording gastric lesions in horses. It provides a methodical, in-depth, and repeatable approach to examining the equine stomach in microscopic detail.
- This system can prove beneficial in both diagnostic and research scenarios. Furthermore, it provides consistent information, enabling the comparison of data across different studies.
- The system could provide insights about currently unexplored pathological variations seen in the stomachs of both healthy and diseased horses, thus improving the interpretation of biopsy samples.
Cite This Article
APA
Martineau H, Thompson H, Taylor D.
(2009).
Pathology of gastritis and gastric ulceration in the horse. Part 2: a scoring system.
Equine Vet J, 41(7), 646-651.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516409x464799 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Glasgow University Veterinary School, Glasgow, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Gastritis / pathology
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Inflammation / pathology
- Male
- Research Design
- Stomach Ulcer / pathology
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Asgari P, Amniattalab A. Immunohistochemical Assessment of GDNF and Chromogranin A Expression in Erosive and Granulomatous Lesions in Glandular Region of Equine Stomach. Arch Razi Inst 2023 Aug;78(4):1365-1377.
- Julliand S, Buttet M, Hermange T, Hillon P, Julliand V. Effect of diet composition on glandular gastric disease in horses. J Vet Intern Med 2023 Jul-Aug;37(4):1528-1536.
- Banse HE, Andrews FM. Equine glandular gastric disease: prevalence, impact and management strategies. Vet Med (Auckl) 2019;10:69-76.
- Mönki J, Hewetson M, Virtala AM. Risk Factors for Equine Gastric Glandular Disease: A Case-Control Study in a Finnish Referral Hospital Population. J Vet Intern Med 2016 Jul;30(4):1270-5.
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