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The Veterinary record2023; 192(7); e2644; doi: 10.1002/vetr.2644

Serum amyloid A does not predict non-survival in hospitalised adult horses with acute colitis.

Abstract: Predicting non-survival in horses with acute colitis improves early decision making. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prognostic value of serum amyloid A (SAA) and other clinicopathological and clinical variables in adult horses with acute colitis. Clinical variables, SAA and other blood biomarkers, including plasma L-lactate (lactate), were assessed in 176 horses with acute colitis. A multivariate model for the prediction of non-survival was constructed. Icelandic horses were analysed separately. Admission SAA was similar in survivors (median 548 mg/L; range 0-5453 mg/L) and non-survivors (396 mg/L; 0-5294) (p = 0.43). A model for non-survival included year of admission, lactate, heart rate, age and colic duration of more than 24 hours. Icelandic horses had a relative risk of 2.9 (95% confidence interval = 2.2-3.8) for acute colitis compared to other breeds. Lactate in Icelandic horses was higher than that in other breeds in both survivors (4.0 mmol/L, range 1.0-12.7 vs. 2.0, 0.7-12.5) and non-survivors (10.0, 1.5-26 vs. 5.4, 0.8-22) (p < 0.001). The prognostic value of repeated measurements of SAA could not be assessed in this study, as 71% of the non-surviving horses died within a day of admission. Admission SAA did not predict non-survival. Breed needs consideration when lactate is evaluated as a predictor for non-survival in horses with colitis.
Publication Date: 2023-02-13 PubMed ID: 36780213DOI: 10.1002/vetr.2644Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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This research aimed to understand if a particular biological marker, serum amyloid A (SAA), could predict non-survival in horses suffering from acute colitis. The study concluded that SAA levels could not be used as a predictor, and further factors such as year of admission, lactate levels, heart rate, age, the duration of colic, and breed must be taken into account.

Research Purpose and Methodology

  • The primary aim of this study was to determine whether serum amyloid A (SAA), a protein produced by the liver in response to inflammation, could be used as a prognostic indicator in horses with acute colitis. Acute colitis is a severe inflammation of the large intestine in horses, causing pain and often leading to life-threatening complications if not promptly treated.
  • The researchers measured admission SAA levels, various blood biomarkers, and clinical variables in a group of 176 hospitalized adult horses diagnosed with acute colitis. Other considered factors included plasma L-lactate, year of admission, heart rate, age, and duration of colic more than 24 hours.
  • To build a predictive model for non-survival, a multivariate analysis was conducted. The study also analyzed Icelandic horses separately due to their unique genetic characteristics and susceptibility to certain conditions.

Research Findings

  • The study found no significant difference in admission SAA levels between surviving and non-surviving horses, showing that SAA cannot be used as a predictor for non-survival in horses with acute colitis.
  • However, certain factors shown to be valuable in the predictive model included the year of admission, lactate levels, heart rate, age, and colic duration of more than 24 hours.
  • Interestingly, the study also found that Icelandic horses had a higher relative risk (2.9 times increase in risk) of developing acute colitis compared to other breeds, making breed an important consideration in evaluation and treatment.
  • Additionally, lactate levels in Icelandic horses were found to be higher compared to other breeds, suggesting that this could be a significant factor in evaluating the risk of non-survival in horses with colitis.

Research Limitations and Conclusions

  • The research had certain limitations, as 71% of non-surviving horses in the sample died within a day of admission, making it impossible to assess the prognostic value of repeated measurements of SAA.
  • The study concluded that SAA levels upon admission do not predict non-survival in horses with acute colitis. Other factors, including breed, must be considered when evaluating lactate as a predictor for non-survival.

Cite This Article

APA
Runge KE, Bak M, Vestergaard A, Staerk-Østergaard J, Jacobsen S, Pihl TH. (2023). Serum amyloid A does not predict non-survival in hospitalised adult horses with acute colitis. Vet Rec, 192(7), e2644. https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.2644

Publication

ISSN: 2042-7670
NlmUniqueID: 0031164
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 192
Issue: 7
Pages: e2644

Researcher Affiliations

Runge, Kira Elisabeth
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Taastrup, Denmark.
Bak, Maj
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Taastrup, Denmark.
Vestergaard, Amalie
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Taastrup, Denmark.
Staerk-Østergaard, Jacob
  • Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Animal Welfare and Disease Control, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Jacobsen, Stine
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Taastrup, Denmark.
Pihl, Tina Holberg
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Taastrup, Denmark.

MeSH Terms

  • Horses
  • Animals
  • Serum Amyloid A Protein
  • Colitis / veterinary
  • Lactic Acid
  • Prognosis
  • Biomarkers
  • Horse Diseases

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