Prevalence of gastric ulcers in horses from the French Republican Guard cavalry regiment and association with plasma gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity.
Abstract: Equine gastric ulceration syndrome (EGUS) is a common condition, affecting both glandular (EGGD) and squamous (ESGD) mucosa of the stomach. It has a high prevalence, particularly in racehorses and sport horses, causing clinical signs from poor performance to colic. Gastroscopy, the reference standard diagnostic method, is expensive, prompting the search for alternative tests. Previous studies noted changes in blood markers, including elevated gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) activity in ulcerated horses. This study aimed to report the prevalence of EGUS in sport horses and evaluate the association of plasma GGT activity to a diagnosis of EGUS. Fifty-nine horses, with and without EGUS clinical signs, from a cavalry regiment underwent gastroscopy and plasma biochemical analysis. EGUS, ESGD, and EGGD were found in 88 % (95 % confidence interval (95CI); 80 - 96 %), 80 % (95CI, 69 - 90), and 42 % (95CI, 30 - 55), respectively. A significant association was noted between EGUS prevalence and the squadron of the horse but not between EGUS or any of its components and plasma GGT activity. Horses affected by EGGD had higher average GGT activity (28.2 IU/L vs. 9.7 IU/L). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis suggested a plasma GGT threshold of 21 IU/L for diagnosing EGGD (sensitivity and specificity of 80 % and 100 % respectively). However, some limitations were identified in this study including sample size, failure to visualise the pylori in some horses and body condition score as a confounding factor. Further studies are needed to evaluate the potential of plasma GGT activity in supporting a diagnosis of EGUS.
Copyright © 2025. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Publication Date: 2025-04-07 PubMed ID: 40204167DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2025.105566Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research paper discusses a common horse condition called equine gastric ulceration syndrome (EGUS) and investigates the prevalence of EGUS in sport horses along with the association between plasma gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) activity and diagnosis of EGUS.
Understanding Equine Gastric Ulceration Syndrome
- Equine gastric ulceration syndrome (EGUS) is a prevalent problem in horses, especially in racehorses and sport horses where it affects both glandular and squamous mucosa within the stomach.
- The condition can cause several clinical signs including poor performance and colic.
- Gastroscopy is typically used as standard method of diagnosis, but it is expensive and has triggered a search for alternative tests.
Role of the Study
- This research was designed to provide information on the prevalence of EGUS in sport horses and assess the link between plasma GGT activity and a diagnosis of EGUS.
- The study focused on horses with and without EGUS clinical signs from a French Republican Guard cavalry regiment.
Findings of the Study
- Fifty-nine horses from a cavalry regiment underwent gastroscopy and plasma biochemical analysis.
- Data showed that 88% of the horses had EGUS, 80% had squamous mucosa involvement (ESGD), and 42% had glandular mucosa involvement (EGGD).
- The prevalence of EGUS seemed to be associated with the horse’s squadron but not with its plasma GGT activity.
- Horses affected by EGGD had higher average GGT activity.
Evaluation of Plasma GGT Activity
- The study suggested a plasma GGT cut-off of 21 IU/L for diagnosing EGGD with a sensitivity and specificity of 80% and 100% respectively.
- However, the study did have limitations such as a small sample size, the inability to visualize the pylori in some horses, and the confusion body condition score may have caused.
- Further research is encouraged to assess the potential of plasma GGT activity as a supportive tool for diagnosing EGUS.
Cite This Article
APA
Hardy L, Martin M, Barré C, Tanquerel L.
(2025).
Prevalence of gastric ulcers in horses from the French Republican Guard cavalry regiment and association with plasma gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity.
J Equine Vet Sci, 149, 105566.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2025.105566 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 7, avenue du Général de Gaulle, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France; 1(er) Centre médical des armées, 23(e) groupe vétérinaire, 18, boulevard Henri IV, 75004, Paris, France. Electronic address: lorenzo.hardy.vet@icloud.com.
- 1(er) Centre médical des armées, 23(e) groupe vétérinaire, 18, boulevard Henri IV, 75004, Paris, France.
- Nutrition Équine, 1, Place de l'Église, 72360, Verneil-le-Chétif, France.
- École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, CHUV-EQ, ACAP3, 1504, Route de l'Église, 14430, Goustranville, France.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses
- gamma-Glutamyltransferase / blood
- gamma-Glutamyltransferase / metabolism
- Stomach Ulcer / veterinary
- Stomach Ulcer / epidemiology
- Stomach Ulcer / blood
- Stomach Ulcer / enzymology
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / blood
- Horse Diseases / enzymology
- Prevalence
- Male
- Female
- France / epidemiology
- Physical Conditioning, Animal
Conflict of Interest Statement
Declaration of competing interest None of the authors has any financial or personal relationships that could inappropriately influence or bias the content of the paper.
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