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Equine veterinary journal. Supplement2007; (36); 529-534; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2006.tb05599.x

Prevalence of inflammatory airway disease in national hunt horses referred for investigation of poor athletic performance.

Abstract: Inflammatory airway disease (IAD) is thought to be an important cause of poor performance in young Thoroughbred racehorses. However, little study has been made of IAD in older National Hunt (NH) horses. Objective: To determine the prevalence of IAD in NH racehorses referred for investigation of poor athletic performance and identify some of the risk factors that may be associated with IAD in this group of horses. Methods: Tracheal mucus was graded, and tracheal wash (TW) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) performed after treadmill exercise in 91 NH horses referred to the University of Bristol. Comparisons were made between the different methods for diagnosing IAD and potential risk factors investigated. Results: Tracheal mucus was observed in 68% and lower airway inflammation identified in 70% of horses. There was poor agreement between TW and BAL techniques for a diagnosis of IAD. The prevalence of increased proportions of neutrophils in TW was 40% compared with 59% in BAL. There was a significant association between presence of tracheal mucus and increased neutrophils in TW but not between tracheal mucus and BAL cytology. No significant association between IAD and age, EIPH or URT obstruction was observed. Conclusions: Inflammatory airway disease was a common finding in NH horses referred for investigation of poor performance. In contrast to studies in younger, flat racehorses the prevalence of disease did not decrease with increasing age. Conclusions: Horses of all ages presented for investigation of poor performance require a thorough clinical investigation of the lower airways. The collection of both TW and BAL samples is indicated in order to confirm a diagnosis of IAD.
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Publication Date: 2007-04-04 PubMed ID: 17402478DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2006.tb05599.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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.

The research paper is a study of Inflammatory Airway Disease’s (IAD) prevalence and associated risk factors in National Hunt (NH) racehorses suffering from poor athletic performance.

Objective and Methodology

The study aimed to discover the pervasiveness of IAD among NH racehorses referred due to subpar athletic performance and to identify the associated risk factors. The researchers examined tracheal mucus and performed tracheal wash (TW) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), post treadmill exercise, on 91 NH horses referred to the University of Bristol for investigation. To diagnose IAD, the researchers compared findings from the different tests and examined potential risk factors.

  • Tracheal mucus was graded, and tracheal wash and bronchoalveolar lavage were performed on the horses after treadmill exercise.
  • Different methodologies were compared to diagnose inflammatory airway disease, and potential risk factors were investigated.

Results and Findings

The paper asserts that 68% of horses showed tracheal mucus and lower airway inflammation in 70% of horses. However, the agreement between TW and BAL techniques for diagnosing IAD was poor. There was also a significant variation with TW showing 40% increased proportions of neutrophils and 59% in BAL. A significant association was observed between the presence of tracheal mucus and increased neutrophils in TW, but no such correlation was found between tracheal mucus and BAL cytology.

  • IAD turned out to be prevalent in horses referred for investigation due to poor performance. Contrary to studies on younger flat racehorses, the prevalence of disease did not decrease with increasing age.
  • There was no significant association observed between IAD and age, exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH), or upper respiratory tract (URT) obstruction.

Conclusion

The conclusion drawn from this research suggests that IAD is a commonplace disease in NH horses referred due to poor performance. It emphasizes that a thorough clinical investigation of the lower airways is needed for horses of all ages presenting with symptoms of poor performance. The research strongly recommends collecting both TW and BAL samples for a confirmed diagnosis.

  • Regardless of age, horses presenting symptoms of underperformance should undergo a thorough lower airway clinical examination.
  • Acquiring both Tracheal Wash and Bronchoalveolar Lavage samples is crucial for an accurate diagnosis of Inflammatory Airway Disease.

Cite This Article

APA
Allen KJ, Tremaine WH, Franklin SH. (2007). Prevalence of inflammatory airway disease in national hunt horses referred for investigation of poor athletic performance. Equine Vet J Suppl(36), 529-534. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2006.tb05599.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal. Supplement
NlmUniqueID: 9614088
Country: United States
Language: English
Issue: 36
Pages: 529-534

Researcher Affiliations

Allen, K J
  • Jim Joel Equine Sports Medicine Centre, University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford, Bristol, BS40 5DU, UK.
Tremaine, W H
    Franklin, S H

      MeSH Terms

      • Age Factors
      • Animals
      • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / cytology
      • Diagnosis, Differential
      • Female
      • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
      • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
      • Horse Diseases / physiopathology
      • Horses
      • Inflammation / diagnosis
      • Inflammation / epidemiology
      • Inflammation / physiopathology
      • Inflammation / veterinary
      • Male
      • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
      • Prevalence
      • Respiratory Tract Diseases / diagnosis
      • Respiratory Tract Diseases / epidemiology
      • Respiratory Tract Diseases / physiopathology
      • Respiratory Tract Diseases / veterinary
      • Risk Factors
      • Trachea / cytology
      • Trachea / metabolism

      Citations

      This article has been cited 21 times.
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