Using systemic serum amyloid A as a biomarker for synovial structure infections in horses with acute limb wounds.
Abstract: In postoperative monitoring of synovial structure infection due to limb wounds, early recognition of a recurrence of synovial infection is indispensable to prevent further damage to the affected synovial structure. This study evaluated the role of serum amyloid A (SAA) as a systemic biomarker in disease monitoring and correlated this tool with clinical variables. In this prospective cohort study, 55 horses with acute limb wounds were divided into two groups: those with (group 1, n = 26) or without (group 2, n = 29) a diagnosis of synovial structure penetration. SAA, lameness and body temperature were evaluated repeatedly and compared between groups. Correlations were explored between SAA and body temperature as well as lameness. The long-term outcome was also analysed. In both groups, SAA levels followed the characteristic rise-and-fall pattern observed in previous studies, with a significant increase up to a peak concentration within 48 hours, followed by a constant decline. Lameness and body temperature did not change significantly. SAA was not found to correlate with clinical variables at all time points. Three horses in group 1 had a recurrence of synovial sepsis with an associated increase in SAA. The long-term outcome was good. A total of 71% of the study population returned to pre-injury performance levels. Repeated measurements of SAA accurately reflected the course of synovial inflammation and thus provided a reliable and rapidly available tool to monitor the disease course and to adapt the treatment regimen. SAA should be routinely added to the postoperative management of such cases.
© 2022 The Authors. Veterinary Record published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Veterinary Association.
Publication Date: 2022-07-08 PubMed ID: 35808823DOI: 10.1002/vetr.1841Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research studied the use of serum amyloid A (SAA) in tracking synovial infections in horses which had acute limb wounds. Researchers divided 55 horses into two groups based on whether they had been diagnosed with synovial penetration. They observed changes in SAA, lameness, and body temperature over time, eventually concluding that SAA could be a reliable tool in monitoring the course of this disease.
Research Methodology
- The research was a prospective cohort study involving 55 horses that had sustained acute limb wounds.
- The horses were divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of 26 horses that had been diagnosed with synovial structure penetration while Group 2 had the remaining 29 that did not have a diagnosis of synovial structure injury.
- The researchers undertook repeated evaluations of serum amyloid A (SAA), body temperature, and lameness in the horses. The measurements were compared between the two groups to gather adequate data about the conditions and their progression over time.
Results and Findings
- The levels of SAA in both groups followed a trend that the researchers described as a rise-and-fall pattern that has been observed in similar studies before. In essence, there was a significant increase in SAA levels until they reached a peak concentration within the first 48 hours. These levels then fell consistently.
- There was no significant change in lameness and body temperature – two clinical variables that were monitored and compared.
- The researchers did not find any correlation between the levels of SAA and the clinical variables at the different time intervals studied.
- Out of the 26 horses in Group 1, three experienced a recurrence of synovial sepsis, which was accompanied by a rise in SAA.
Long-term Outcome and Conclusion
- The research found that the long-term outcome was generally positive. About 71% of the horses studied were able to return to their pre-injury levels of performance.
- The researchers concluded that measuring SAA levels at regular intervals accurately reflected the course of synovial inflammation in the horses.
- As a result, SAA was found to be a reliable and promptly available tool to monitor the progression of the disease, making it possible for treatment regimes to be adjusted appropriately.
- The researchers recommended that SAA tests should be included as part of the routine postoperative management of horses with limb wounds.
Cite This Article
APA
Müller AC, Büttner K, Röcken M.
(2022).
Using systemic serum amyloid A as a biomarker for synovial structure infections in horses with acute limb wounds.
Vet Rec, 191(2), e1841.
https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.1841 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Equine Clinic (Surgery, Orthopaedics), Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany.
- Unit for Biomathematics and Data Processing, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany.
- Equine Clinic (Surgery, Orthopaedics), Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomarkers
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horses
- Humans
- Lameness, Animal / diagnosis
- Prospective Studies
- Serum Amyloid A Protein / analysis
- Synovial Fluid / chemistry
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