Serum amyloid A protein (SAA) in horses: objective measurement of the acute phase response.
Abstract: A sensitive and precise immunoassay for equine serum amyloid A protein (SAA) was established and used to determine, for the first time, the circulating concentration of this protein in health and disease. As in other species, equine SAA was present only at trace levels in healthy animals but behaved as an extremely sensitive and rapidly responding acute phase reactant following most forms of tissue injury, infection and inflammation, objectively reflecting the extent and activity of disease. Measurements of SAA should make a significant contribution to diagnosis and management of viral and bacterial infection in horses, and routine serial assays could provide an objective criterion for monitoring prospectively the general health of horses in training and racing.
Publication Date: 1989-03-01 PubMed ID: 2539996DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1989.tb02108.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
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.
This research involves the development and application of an immunoassay to measure Serum amyloid A protein (SAA) in horses, enabling the objective assessment of the acute phase response – a crucial aspect of the immune response observed in both health and disease conditions.
Immunoassay for Serum Amyloid A Protein
- The paper discusses the creation of a sensitive and precise immunoassay to measure the level of Serum amyloid A protein (SAA) in horses. An immunoassay is a laboratory technique that makes use of the binding between an antigen (the substance that the body needs to respond to) and an antibody (the body’s reaction to the antigen) to measure the concentration of specific molecules in a solution.
- This is the first research paper where the circulating concentration of this protein in horses, in both health and disease conditions, has been studied.
Acute Phase Response
- The study found that, much like in other species, SAA only occurs at trace level in healthy horses, but shows a highly sensitive and rapid response during an acute phase reactant phase – a stage that masks tissue injury, infection, and inflammation.
- This rapid response and sensitivity of SAA serve as an objective reflection of the extent and activity of the disease. It can be used to accurately determine the state of any existing infections or inflammations.
Significance of SAA Measurements
- Regular measurements of SAA could significantly contribute to the diagnoses and management of viral and bacterial infections in horses.
- Additionally, routine serial assays could serve as a reliable criterion for objectively monitoring the overall health of horses, especially those involved in training and racing. It enables early detection of any health-related issues that may affect the performance of the horse.
Conclusion
- This study highlights the value of the newly designed immunoassay test to detect the SAA level in horses. The test could provide an effective method for early disease detection and treatment, thereby contributing to the overall health and well-being of horses, whether they are racing or just living out their natural lives.
Cite This Article
APA
Pepys MB, Baltz ML, Tennent GA, Kent J, Ousey J, Rossdale PD.
(1989).
Serum amyloid A protein (SAA) in horses: objective measurement of the acute phase response.
Equine Vet J, 21(2), 106-109.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1989.tb02108.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Medicine, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital, London.
MeSH Terms
- Acute-Phase Reaction / blood
- Acute-Phase Reaction / diagnosis
- Acute-Phase Reaction / veterinary
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Female
- Herpesviridae Infections / blood
- Herpesviridae Infections / diagnosis
- Herpesviridae Infections / veterinary
- Herpesvirus 1, Equid
- Horse Diseases / blood
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horses
- Immunoassay
- Inflammation / veterinary
- Postoperative Complications / blood
- Postoperative Complications / diagnosis
- Postoperative Complications / veterinary
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / blood
- Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / diagnosis
- Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / veterinary
- Serum Amyloid A Protein / analysis
Citations
This article has been cited 24 times.- Riley WW, Nickerson JG, Mogg TJ, Burton GW. Oxidized β-Carotene Is a Novel Phytochemical Immune Modulator That Supports Animal Health and Performance for Antibiotic-Free Production. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jan 14;13(2).
- Thurston CC, Stefanovski D, MacKinnon MC, Chapman HS, Richardson DW, Levine DG. Serum amyloid A and fibrinogen as markers for early detection of surgical site infection associated with internal fixation in the horse. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:960865.
- Karagianni AE, Kurian D, Cillán-Garcia E, Eaton SL, Wishart TM, Pirie RS. Training associated alterations in equine respiratory immunity using a multiomics comparative approach. Sci Rep 2022 Jan 10;12(1):427.
- Kiemle J, Hindenberg S, Bauer N, Roecken M. Comparison of a point-of-care serum amyloid A analyzer frequently used in equine practice with 2 turbidimetric immunoassays used in human and veterinary medicine. J Vet Diagn Invest 2022 Jan;34(1):42-53.
- Yoshimura S, Koziy RV, Dickinson R, Moshynskyy I, McKenzie JA, Simko E, Bracamonte JL. Use of serum amyloid A in serum and synovial fluid to detect eradication of infection in experimental septic arthritis in horses. Can J Vet Res 2020 Jul;84(3):198-204.
- Taylor S. A review of equine sepsis. Equine Vet Educ 2015 Feb;27(2):99-109.
- Falomo ME, Del Re B, Rossi M, Giaretta E, Da Dalt L, Gabai G. Relationship between postpartum uterine involution and biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in clinically healthy mares (Equus caballus). Heliyon 2020 Apr;6(4):e03691.
- Long A, Nolen-Walston R. Equine Inflammatory Markers in the Twenty-First Century: A Focus on Serum Amyloid A. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2020 Apr;36(1):147-160.
- Gelain ME, Bonsembiante F. Acute Phase Proteins in Marine Mammals: State of Art, Perspectives and Challenges. Front Immunol 2019;10:1220.
- Tothova C, Mihajlovicova X, Novotny J, Nagy O, Giretova M, Kresakova L, Tomco M, Zert Z, Vilhanova Z, Varga M, Medvecky L, Petrovova E. The Serum Protein Profile and Acute Phase Proteins in the Postoperative Period in Sheep after Induced Articular Cartilage Defect. Materials (Basel) 2019 Jan 3;12(1).
- Witkowska-Piłaszewicz OD, Żmigrodzka M, Winnicka A, Miśkiewicz A, Strzelec K, Cywińska A. Serum amyloid A in equine health and disease. Equine Vet J 2019 May;51(3):293-298.
- Robinson CS, Singer ER, Piviani M, Rubio-Martinez LM. Are serum amyloid A or D-lactate useful to diagnose synovial contamination or sepsis in horses?. Vet Rec 2017 Oct 21;181(16):425.
- Haltmayer E, Schwendenwein I, Licka TF. Course of serum amyloid A (SAA) plasma concentrations in horses undergoing surgery for injuries penetrating synovial structures, an observational clinical study. BMC Vet Res 2017 May 22;13(1):137.
- Aoki T, Kimura Y, Oya A, Chiba A, Ishii M, Nambo Y. Hematological and biochemical features of postpartum fever in the heavy draft mare. J Equine Sci 2016;27(1):13-6.
- Cywinska A, Witkowski L, Szarska E, Schollenberger A, Winnicka A. Serum amyloid A (SAA) concentration after training sessions in Arabian race and endurance horses. BMC Vet Res 2013 May 1;9:91.
- Christensen MB, Sørensen JC, Jacobsen S, Kjelgaard-Hansen M. Investigation of the solubility and the potentials for purification of serum amyloid A (SAA) from equine acute phase serum--a pilot study. BMC Res Notes 2013 Apr 16;6:152.
- Tóthová C, Nagy O, Seidel H, Kováč G. The effect of storage temperature and time on the concentrations of bovine serum amyloid a and its mammary associated isoform. Vet Med Int 2012;2012:861458.
- Cray C. Acute phase proteins in animals. Prog Mol Biol Transl Sci 2012;105:113-50.
- Hillström A, Tvedten H, Lilliehöök I. Evaluation of an in-clinic Serum Amyloid A (SAA) assay and assessment of the effects of storage on SAA samples. Acta Vet Scand 2010 Feb 2;52(1):8.
- Chen HH, Lin JH, Fung HP, Ho LL, Yang PC, Lee WC, Lee YP, Chu RM. Serum acute phase proteins and swine health status. Can J Vet Res 2003 Oct;67(4):283-90.
- Hultén C, Sandgren B, Skiöldebrand E, Klingeborn B, Marhaug G, Forsberg M. The acute phase protein serum amyloid A (SAA) as an inflammatory marker in equine influenza virus infection. Acta Vet Scand 1999;40(4):323-33.
- Eurell TE, Wilson DA, Baker GJ. The effect of exploratory laparotomy on the serum and peritoneal haptoglobin concentrations of the pony. Can J Vet Res 1993 Jan;57(1):42-4.
- Souto PC, Santos MR, Orozco AMO, Bento LD, Ramirez-Lopez CJ, Girardi FM, Machado JCA, de Oliveira LL, da Fonseca LA. Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) Development for Equine Serum Amyloid A (SAA) Determination Using Recombinant Proteins. Methods Protoc 2025 Apr 7;8(2).
- Rhim H, Kwag C, Han JI. A preliminary study on effects of storage time and repeated freezing-thawing on the stability of avian serum amyloid A. Acta Vet Scand 2024 Sep 2;66(1):42.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
