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Equine veterinary journal2002; 34(7); 693-698; doi: 10.2746/042516402776250360

Serum amyloid A (SAA) as an aid in the management of infectious disease in the foal: comparison with total leucocyte count, neutrophil count and fibrinogen.

Abstract: Differentiation between infectious and noninfectious disease and rapid initiation of accurate treatment are essential in managing diseases in the neonatal and young foal. Identification of useful inflammatory markers for these purposes is, therefore, of great importance. The aim of this study was to compare the responses of the acute phase protein serum amyloid A (SAA) with the responses of fibrinogen and total leucocyte and neutrophil counts in infectious diseases encountered in the young foal, and to assess whether SAA measurements give additional information useful in the management of these diseases. In a prospective study, foals (n = 25) showing clinical signs indicative of infectious disease were blood sampled on admission and then daily or every second day during hospitalisation. The main presenting signs were neonatal weakness (n = 9), pneumonia (n = 6) and diarrhoea (n = 10). SAA and fibrinogen concentrations on admission were higher in foals with bacterial infections (n = 8) than in foals with nonbacterial or uncertain diagnoses (n = 17). On admission, weak foals with negative blood cultures (n = 3) had normal SAA and fibrinogen concentrations and varying total leucocyte and neutrophil counts. Foals with positive blood cultures (n = 2) had markedly increased SAA, decreased or increased fibrinogen concentration and leuco- and neutropenia. Those with ambiguous blood cultures (n = 3) had moderate to markedly increased SAA concentrations and normal fibrinogen concentration, leucocyte and neutrophil counts on admission. All foals with negative or ambiguous blood cultures recovered and had normal or decreasing SAA concentration on discharge. Both foals with a positive blood culture were subjected to euthanasia. One foal born with equine herpesvirus-1 infection had moderately increased SAA and normal fibrinogen concentration and leuco- and neutropenia. Foals with Rhodococcus equi pneumonia had increased concentrations of all parameters on admission. On discharge, recovered foals had normal SAA concentrations, whereas fibrinogen and total white blood cell count and neutrophil counts were still increased. There were no consistent inflammatory changes in the parameters measured in diarrhoeic foals and there was no statistical difference between rotavirus-positive (n = 4) and -negative (n = 6) foals in this respect. The results of this investigation suggest that SAA might be an aid in the differential diagnostic procedure of neonatally weak foals and in foals with diarrhoea as the main presenting clinical sign and that SAA measurements could add information in the monitoring of treatment in Rhodococcus equi pneumonia by responding more rapidly than the markers used to date.
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Publication Date: 2002-11-29 PubMed ID: 12455840DOI: 10.2746/042516402776250360Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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 investigates the potential of Serum Amyloid A (SAA) as a tool in managing infectious diseases in young horses, comparing its efficacy to previously used indicators such as leucocyte count, neutrophil count and fibrinogen.

Objective of the research

  • The primary objective of this study was to assess the value of the inflammatory marker Serum Amyloid A (SAA) in the management of infectious diseases in young foals.
  • The researchers further aimed to compare SAA to traditionally used markers such as total leucocyte count, neutrophil count and fibrinogen.

Methodology

  • The research was conducted prospectively; sick foals were blood sampled upon admission and then either daily or every other day during their hospital stay.
  • The main observable symptoms of these foals were neonatal weakness, pneumonia, and diarrhea.

Findings

  • Observations showed that SAA and fibrinogen concentrations were higher among foals with bacterial infections, compared to those with non-bacterial or uncertain diagnoses.
  • Foals with negative blood cultures exhibited normal SAA and fibrinogen concentrations, despite variable leucocyte and neutrophil counts.
  • Foals with positive blood cultures showed significantly higher SAA levels, alongside differing fibrinogen concentration and leuco- and neutropenia.
  • In cases where the blood culture was uncertain, SAA levels were moderately to significantly increased while fibrinogen concentration, leucocyte and neutrophil counts remained normal.
  • Foals exhibiting Rhodococcus equi pneumonia showed increased concentrations across all parameter markers.
  • Diarrheic foals did not show consistent changes across the measured parameters, and no significant statistical difference was found between rotavirus-positive and -negative foals.

Conclusion

  • The study suggests that SAA could potentially be useful in the diagnostic process of neonatal weakness in foals and in cases where diarrhea is the main symptom.
  • Additionally, SAA may offer valuable information for monitoring the treatment of Rhodococcus equi pneumonia, responding faster than other traditional markers.

Cite This Article

APA
Hultén C, Demmers S. (2002). Serum amyloid A (SAA) as an aid in the management of infectious disease in the foal: comparison with total leucocyte count, neutrophil count and fibrinogen. Equine Vet J, 34(7), 693-698. https://doi.org/10.2746/042516402776250360

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 34
Issue: 7
Pages: 693-698

Researcher Affiliations

Hultén, C
  • Department of Clinical Chemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala.
Demmers, S

    MeSH Terms

    • Animals
    • Animals, Newborn
    • Communicable Diseases / blood
    • Communicable Diseases / diagnosis
    • Communicable Diseases / immunology
    • Communicable Diseases / veterinary
    • Diagnosis, Differential
    • Diarrhea / blood
    • Diarrhea / diagnosis
    • Diarrhea / immunology
    • Diarrhea / veterinary
    • Fibrinogen / analysis
    • Fibrinogen / immunology
    • Horse Diseases / blood
    • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
    • Horse Diseases / immunology
    • Horses
    • Leukocyte Count / veterinary
    • Neutrophils / immunology
    • Pneumonia, Bacterial / blood
    • Pneumonia, Bacterial / diagnosis
    • Pneumonia, Bacterial / immunology
    • Pneumonia, Bacterial / veterinary
    • Prospective Studies
    • Serum Amyloid A Protein / analysis
    • Serum Amyloid A Protein / immunology

    Citations

    This article has been cited 27 times.
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