Oropharyngeal botryomycosis in a geriatric mare

Botryomycosis is an uncommon chronic bacterial infection that can have cutaneous and visceral involvement. This report describes an 18‐year‐old mixed‐breed mare presented with dysphagia, dyspnoea and an upper respiratory noise that developed secondary to oropharyngeal botryomycosis. Histological examination of the mass showed a granulomatous formation with Splendore–Hoeppli phenomenon surrounding Gram‐positive bacteria. This report describes the clinical signs, approach and management of an oropharyngeal Staphylococcus aureus granuloma in a geriatric mare.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Evaluation of Plasmatic Procalcitonin in Healthy, and in Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) Negative or Positive Colic Horses

Colic horses show systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) clinical signs. Procalcitonin (PCT) showed increased circulating levels in sick horses. This study compares plasma PCT concentrations in healthy vs. SIRS negative/positive colic horses over time, and evaluates PCT and SIRS score potential correlation, to verify the usefulness of PCT for the evaluation of SIRS severity. Ninety-one horses were included; 43/91 were healthy, on basis of physical examination, blood work and SIRS score (score = 0), while 48/91 were sick colic horses, classified as SIRS-negative (score < 2) and positive (score ≥ 2). Moreover, a 0–6 point-scale SIRS score was calculated (assessing mucous membrane color and blood lactate concentration). PCT was evaluated at admission, and at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h, using a commercial kit for equine species. We verified by the ANOVA test PCT differences between healthy vs. colic horses, healthy vs. SIRS-negative or SIRS-positive colic horses, at all sampling times, and the correlation between the SIRS score at admission with the SIRS score. Statistically significant differences were detected between healthy vs. all colic horses and between healthy vs. SIRS-positive or negative horses at all sampling times. No correlation was observed between the SIRS score at admission and PCT values. PCT was statistically higher in colic horses compared to the healthy ones, suggesting a role as a biomarker for colic

Evaluation of Plasmatic Procalcitonin in Healthy, and in Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) Negative or Positive Colic Horses

Colic horses show systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) clinical signs. Procalcitonin (PCT) showed increased circulating levels in sick horses. This study compares plasma PCT concentrations in healthy vs. SIRS negative/positive colic horses over time, and evaluates PCT and SIRS score potential correlation, to verify the usefulness of PCT for the evaluation of SIRS severity. Ninety-one horses were included; 43/91 were healthy, on basis of physical examination, blood work and SIRS score (score = 0), while 48/91 were sick colic horses, classified as SIRS-negative (score < 2) and positive (score ≥ 2). Moreover, a 0–6 point-scale SIRS score was calculated (assessing mucous membrane color and blood lactate concentration). PCT was evaluated at admission, and at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h, using a commercial kit for equine species. We verified by the ANOVA test PCT differences between healthy vs. colic horses, healthy vs. SIRS-negative or SIRS-positive colic horses, at all sampling times, and the correlation between the SIRS score at admission with the SIRS score. Statistically significant differences were detected between healthy vs. all colic horses and between healthy vs. SIRS-positive or negative horses at all sampling times. No correlation was observed between the SIRS score at admission and PCT values. PCT was statistically higher in colic horses compared to the healthy ones, suggesting a role as a biomarker for colic

Procalcitonin in healthy and endotoxemic horses

Procalcitonin (PCT) seems to be an early marker of bacterial infection. The increase of its concentration is due to bacterial endotoxin and inflammatory cytokines. In horses’ GI diseases, hypersecretion of fluid, motility disturbances, altered microbial flora and impaired mucosal barrier may lead to absorption of endotoxin and/or bacterial products through the compromised mucosa. The aim of this work was to evaluate the plasmatic PCT concentration in healthy horses and those with acute GI diseases, in order to evaluate the differences between the two groups. Plasma PCT concentration was evaluated in 45 horses referred to three different University Teaching Hospitals, and in 16 healthy horses that underwent similar management conditions. The following data were recorded in order to divide horses in healthy (N = 16), less than two criteria met, and clinical endotoxemic horses’ group (N = 45), two or more criteria met: neutropenia and/or toxic changes, increased PCV and TP, tachycardia, tachypnea, abnormal mucous membrane status and capillary refill time. Plasma PCT concentrations were measured with an equine PCT ELISA assay. Results were expressed as mean and standard deviation. T-test for unpaired data was performed between healthy and suspected endotoxemic horses’ group. PCT concentration in healthy and clinical endotoxemic horses’ group was 22.3 21.4 and 182.5 83.9 pg/mL, respectively. T-test showed differences between the two groups (P &lt; 0.0001). Our results showed an increase in plasma PCT concentration in clinical endotoxemic horses as reported in human medicine. PCT could be used in the equine practice for early therapy planning, in order to improve prognosis and restrain therapy costs

Characteristics of equine summer eczema with emphasis on differences between Finnhorses and Icelandic horses in a 11-year study

Summer eczema, allergic dermatitis of the horse, was studied on 275 affected horses in Finland in 1997–2007. Features of the horses, clinical signs of the disease and owners' opinions of aggravating factors were recorded. Differences, especially, between two of the native Scandinavian horse breeds, the Finnhorse and the Icelandic horse, were evaluated. The study was based on clinical examination and information from the owners. Of the horses, 50% were Finnhorses, 26% Icelandic horses and 24% consisted of different breeds of ponies and other horses. Of the Finnhorses, 76% had summer eczema by the age of 5 years, but in the Icelandic horses born in Finland the average age at onset was 7 years. The vast majority of the horses, 75%, had moderate clinical signs, while 16% showed severe and 9% mild. The severity of clinical signs did not depend on the duration of the disease nor was it related to the age at onset. The only linkage to severity was the breed of the horse or import from Iceland; New Forest ponies and imported Icelandic horses showed severe clinical signs significantly more often than Finnhorses. Of the owners, 38% regarded insects as the only aggravating factor, 24% mentioned several simultaneous factors, including grass fodder and sunlight, while 22% could not specify any. In Finland, a typical horse breed suffering from summer eczema is the Finnhorse and the characteristics of the disease are mainly uniform with the other breeds affected. Equine summer eczema seems to be aggravated by various combinations of environmental factors

Quantitative motor unit action potential analysis of supraspinatus, infraspinatus, deltoideus and biceps femoris muscles in adult Royal Dutch sport horses

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Reference values for quantitative electromyography (QEMG) in shoulder and hindlimb muscles of horses are limited.\n\nOBJECTIVES: To determine normative data on QEMG analysis of supraspinatus (SS), infraspinatus (IS), deltoideus (DT) and biceps femoris (BF) muscles.\n\nSTUDY DESIGN: Experimental observational study and retrospective case series.\n\nMETHODS: Seven adult healthy Royal Dutch sport horses underwent quantitative motor unit action potential analysis of each muscle using commercial electromyography equipment. Measurements were made according to published methods. One-way ANOVA was used to compare quantitative motor unit action potential variables between muscles, with post hoc testing according to Bonferroni, with significance set at P15% polyphasic motor unit action potentials in SS and IS muscles.\n\nCONCLUSIONS: Differences between muscles should be taken into account when performing QEMG in order to be able to distinguish normal horses from horses with suspected neurogenic or myogenic disorders. These normal data provide the basis for objective QEMG assessment of shoulder and hindlimb muscles. Quantitative electromyography appears to be helpful in diagnosing neuropathies and discriminating these from myopathies

Low-molecular-weight heparin dose should be doubled in newborn foals

peer reviewedIntroduction/Objectives: Heparin therapy is used in pediatric human patients for prophylaxis of thromboembolic states, but human babies need a higher dose than adults. Septic neonate foals are at high risk of hypercoagulable state and DIC, and no information about heparin dose for equine neonates is available. The objective was to assess whether neonatal foals need higher doses of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) than adults. Methods: In an experimental study, 18 healthy foals were randomly distributed in 2 groups, receiving 50 IU/kg or 100 IU/kg of dalteparin subcutaneously for 3 days. In a prospective clinical study, another 11 septic foals were randomly treated either with placebo or 100 IU/kg of dalteparin for 3 days. Blood samples were collected at the beginning and after each administration. Plasma antifactor-Xa activity and clotting times were measured in both studies, closure time, PCV, hemoglobin concentration and platelet count were measured in the experimental study and antithrombin activity and D-dimer concentration in the clinical trial. Results: In healthy foals, prophylactic plasma antifactor-Xa activity was only achieved when using the double dose (100 IU/kg), with no hemorrhagic risks and erythrocyte-related complications. Similar plasma antifactor-Xa activities were also achieved in septic foals. Discussion: Healthy neonatal foals need double dose of LMWH to reach the same prophylactic plasma antifactor-Xa activity than adult horses. In the clinical study, septic foals reached similar plasma antifactor-Xa activity than healthy foals using the same double dose of LMWH. Conclusions: Equine neonates need higher doses of LMWH compared to adults to reach prophylactic heparinemia