Use of detergent to prevent initial responses to endotoxin in horses.

This research article discusses a study on the potential use of detergent to mitigate the initial effects of Escherichia coli endotoxin in horses, including severe pulmonary hypertension, acute leukopenia, and fever.

Research Objective

The main objective of the research was to assess whether the application of a detergent could prevent initial responses related to the infusion of Escherichia coli endotoxin in horses. The active ingredients in the endotoxin result in acute health conditions such as pulmonary hypertension, acute leukopenia and fever.

Methodology

• The study used eight healthy adult horses, equally divided by gender, and weighing between 415 to 615 kg.
• Control experiments were performed on the horses while they remained awake but were sedated. In these experiments, 10 to 100 ng of E.coli endotoxin per kg was administered to the horses.
• In the detergent experiments, the horses were given 100 mg of detergent per kg, one hour before delivering the endotoxin as in the control experiment.

Results

• In the control experiment, the pulmonary arterial pressure increased temporarily over 40 minutes by an average of 33 millimeters of Hg. The count of circulating leukocytes dropped to 47 +/- 19% of baseline one hour after administering endotoxin and then rose above the baseline after six hours. There was also an increase in rectal temperature by 0.7 C degrees on average.
• In the detergent experiments, the increase of pulmonary arterial pressure was significantly lesser, compared to the control experiments. The circulating leukocytes did not decrease, and any increase in rectal temperature post-endotoxin was blocked.

Conclusions

The researchers concluded that the attenuated response to endotoxin could potentially occur because the regular steps in the response procedure of pulmonary intravascular macrophages, such as endocytosis of the endotoxin and subsequent release of inflammatory mediators, are changed by the detergent. The study suggests this inexpensive, low-technology, and safe treatment could offer a significant new approach for veterinarians in their fight against endotoxemia in horses.