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Benedetti B, Freccero F, Barton J, Elmallah F, Refat S, Padalino B. A Retrospective Study on the Status of Working Equids Admitted to an Equine Clinic in Cairo: Disease Prevalence and Associations between Physical Parameters and Outcome. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:817. [PMID: 38473201 DOI: 10.3390/ani14050817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Working equids are often used to exhaustion, living and dying in conditions below minimal welfare standards. Due to their poor welfare status, euthanasia should be considered in certain conditions. The study aimed to describe the population and the disease frequency of the working equids admitted at an equine clinic in Cairo (i.e., Egypt Equine Aid (EEA)) from 2019 to 2022 and identify possible associations between physical parameters at admission and the outcome. Records of 1360 equids admitted at EEA were reviewed. The majority of the admitted equids were horses (65.6%), followed by donkeys (33%), in particular stallions (68.7%), from 1 to 15 years old (74.8%). Hospitalisation was mainly due to wounds (28.9%), orthopaedic problems (27.4%), colic (8.5%), or infectious diseases (7.4%). The majority of the equids were discharged, but 5.1% died on their own, without human intervention, and 23% were euthanised. Text mining revealed the anamnesis's most frequent words were 'accident', 'lameness', and 'wound'. In addition, owners sometimes reported using inappropriate remedies (e.g., firing) before hospitalisation. Multivariable ordinal regression analysis performed between physical parameters and the outcome (ordered based on severity: discharged, euthanasia, and dead) revealed that sex (male vs. female: OR = 1.33; p < 0.05), colour of the mucous membrane (pathological vs. physiological: OR = 1.72; p < 0.01), and capillary refill time (pathological vs. physiological: OR = 1.42; p = 0.02) increased the likelihood of a non-survival outcome. In conclusion, early euthanasia should be considered for these equids, to minimise prolonged suffering. Moreover, owners' education is recommended to guarantee minimal welfare standards to the working equids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Benedetti
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 44, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Freccero
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Bologna, Italy
| | - Jill Barton
- Egypt Equine Aid, Badrshein, Giza 12989, Egypt
| | | | - Sandy Refat
- Egypt Equine Aid, Badrshein, Giza 12989, Egypt
| | - Barbara Padalino
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 44, 40127 Bologna, Italy
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia
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Bazzano M, Arfuso F, Bonfili L, Eleuteri AM, McLean A, Serri E, Spaterna A, Laus F. Measuring Biochemical Variables and Serum Amyloid A (SAA) in Working Mules in Central Italy. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12202793. [PMID: 36290179 PMCID: PMC9597738 DOI: 10.3390/ani12202793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
According to FAO reports, the global mule population counts about 9 million mules. This hybrid cross of a male donkey and a female horse is mainly used for draft purposes because they are thought to be strong and hardy animals. Most consider mules to be less susceptible to disease and fatigue compared to horses. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of fieldwork on biochemical variables and serum amyloid A in working mules. Blood samples were collected from 10 healthy, female, working mules before and after 8 h of fieldwork. According to statistical analysis, a significant influence (p < 0.05) of fieldwork was found on mules’ electrolyte profile with increased levels of sodium, chloride, and calcium, as well as on blood urea nitrogen and creatinine. After a day of fieldwork, serum sodium, chloride, calcium, urea, and creatinine concentrations were increased, supporting decreases in body water and renal blood flow. However, without comparison to a group of mules that were not exercised yet maintained under similar ambient conditions, it is uncertain whether these changes can be attributed to exercise. Further, no change in SAA concentration was found after exercise, indicating that the work performed did not result in systemic inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilena Bazzano
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032 Matelica, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Francesca Arfuso
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy
| | - Laura Bonfili
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032 Matelica, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Eleuteri
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032 Matelica, Italy
| | - Amy McLean
- Department of Animal Science, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Evelina Serri
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032 Matelica, Italy
| | - Andrea Spaterna
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032 Matelica, Italy
| | - Fulvio Laus
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032 Matelica, Italy
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Bazzano M, Marchegiani A, Troisi A, McLean A, Laus F. Serum Amyloid A as a Promising Biomarker in Domestic Animals’ Reproduction: Current Knowledge and Future Perspective. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12050589. [PMID: 35268158 PMCID: PMC8909795 DOI: 10.3390/ani12050589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Acute phase proteins (APPs) are useful markers which can be evaluated in animals to assess health status and characterize inflammation, infection, and trauma. Among APPs, serum amyloid A (SAA) has been widely investigated in pets and food-producing species as a possible biomarker of inflammatory and infective conditions, especially in the field of animal reproduction. The aims of this paper are to review the literature available on the use of SAA for the diagnosis and monitoring of inflammatory reproductive disease in animals, critically appraising the usefulness of such marker and summarizing the current state of knowledge. Abstract The investigation of acute phase proteins in veterinary medicine has opened the doors towards the identification and use of new markers for a timely assessment of health status in both companion and food-producing animals. The aim of this paper is to review the literature available on the use of serum amyloid A (SAA), an acute phase protein, for the diagnosis and monitoring of reproductive disorders in animals. This review critically appraises the usefulness of such marker in clinical practice and summarizes the current state of knowledge. Recent advances in the diagnosis and monitoring of reproductive diseases are presented, highlighting where SAA evaluation may enhance early diagnostic tools for dogs, cats, cattle, and equines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilena Bazzano
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (A.M.); (A.T.); (F.L.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Andrea Marchegiani
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (A.M.); (A.T.); (F.L.)
| | - Alessandro Troisi
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (A.M.); (A.T.); (F.L.)
| | - Amy McLean
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis (UC Davis), Davis, CA 95616, USA;
| | - Fulvio Laus
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (A.M.); (A.T.); (F.L.)
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4
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Bazzano M, Bonfili L, Eleuteri AM, Serri E, Scollo C, Yaosen Y, Tesei B, Laus F. Assessment of serum amyloid A concentrations and biochemical profiles in lactating jennies and newborn Ragusano donkey foals around parturition and one month after foaling in Sicily. Reprod Domest Anim 2021; 57:262-268. [PMID: 34816505 PMCID: PMC9300177 DOI: 10.1111/rda.14048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A proper knowledge of biochemical parameters and inflammatory markers like serum amyloid A (SAA) is crucial in the monitoring of the first post‐partum period in equids. Since no information is available on SAA for donkeys at this stage, 50 animals including jennies (n.10) and newborn foals (n.10) within 48 hr from foaling, and jennies (n.10) and foals (n.20) after 30 days from parturition were enrolled in the study to assess routine biochemical profile including SAA. Jennies showed higher alkaline phosphatase and lower bilirubins and cholesterol at 30 days of lactation compared to post‐partum. Neonatal donkey foals showed significant higher concentrations of sodium, alkaline phosphatase, lactic dehydrogenase, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and albumin within 48 hr of age, whilst higher values of phosphate and triglycerides were observed in older foals of 30 days of age. Significant higher SAA concentrations were recorded during the peripartum period in both jennies (25.95 ± 14.98 μg/ml) and newborn donkey foals (37.44 ± 19.75 μg/ml) compared to SAA values recorded in lactating jennies (2.38 ± 1.78 μg/ml) and in donkey foals (16.04 ± 18.14 μg/ml) at 30 days after parturition. The assessment of SAA in jennies and donkey foals around parturition and one month after foaling represents a valuable tool for the monitoring of health status during this stage when animals have to face with new challenges like the peak of lactation and extrauterine life adaptation respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilena Bazzano
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Matelica, Italy
| | - Laura Bonfili
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Matelica, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Eleuteri
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Matelica, Italy
| | - Evelina Serri
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Matelica, Italy
| | | | - Yang Yaosen
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Matelica, Italy
| | - Beniamino Tesei
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Matelica, Italy
| | - Fulvio Laus
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Matelica, Italy
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Martins-Bessa A, Quaresma M, Leiva B, Calado A, Navas González FJ. Bayesian Linear Regression Modelling for Sperm Quality Parameters Using Age, Body Weight, Testicular Morphometry, and Combined Biometric Indices in Donkeys. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11010176. [PMID: 33451023 PMCID: PMC7828516 DOI: 10.3390/ani11010176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 11/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The prediction of sperm output and other reproductive traits based on testicular biometry is an important tool in the reproductive management of stallions. Nevertheless, corresponding research in donkeys remains scarce. Several donkey breeds in Europe face a compromising threat of extinction, which has been accelerated by the low renovation of populations and their inbreeding levels. Although research on female reproductive physiology has made crucial advances, much less is known about the physiology of the male. In the present work, two Bayesian models were built to predict for sperm output and quality parameters in donkeys. Models included combinations of age as a covariate and biometric and testicular measurements as independent factors. Results evidenced that the goodness-of-fit was similar for both models—hence, the combination of biometry and testicular factors presented improved predictive power. The application of these models may assist in the process of making decisions in respect to the reproductive/biological, clinical, and selection handling of the animals. Abstract The aim of the present study is to define and compare the predictive power of two different Bayesian models for donkey sperm quality after the evaluation of linear and combined testicular biometry indices and their relationship with age and body weight (BW). Testicular morphometry was ultrasonographically obtained from 23 donkeys (six juveniles and 17 adults), while 40 ejaculates from eight mature donkeys were analyzed for sperm output and quality assessment. Bayesian linear regression analyses were considered to build two statistical models using gel-free volume, concentration, total sperm number, motility, total motile sperm, and morphology as dependent variables. Predictive model 1 comprised the covariate of age and the independent factors testicular measurements (length, height and width), while model 2 included the covariate of age and the factors of BW, testicular volume, and gonadosomatic ratio. Although goodness-of-fit was similar, the combination of predictors in model 1 evidenced higher likelihood to predict gel-free volume (mL), concentration (×106/mL), and motility (%). Alternatively, the combination of predictors in model 2 evidenced higher predictive power for total sperm number (×109), morphologically normal spermatozoa (%), and total motile sperm count (×109). The application of the present models may be useful to gather relevant information that could be used hereafter for assisted reproductive technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Martins-Bessa
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (M.Q.); (A.C.)
- CECAV, Animal and Veterinary Research Center, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +351-2593-50634
| | - Miguel Quaresma
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (M.Q.); (A.C.)
- CECAV, Animal and Veterinary Research Center, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Belén Leiva
- AEPGA-Association for the Study and Protection of Donkeys, Atenor, 5225-011 Miranda do Douro, Portugal;
| | - Ana Calado
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (M.Q.); (A.C.)
- CECAV, Animal and Veterinary Research Center, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Francisco Javier Navas González
- Genetics Department, Veterinary Sciences, Rabanales University Campus, University of Córdoba, Madrid-Cádiz Km. 396, 14014 Cordoba, Spain;
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6
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Perez-Ecija A, Buzon-Cuevas A, Aguilera-Aguilera R, Gonzalez-De Cara C, Mendoza Garcia FJ. Reference intervals of acute phase proteins in healthy Andalusian donkeys and response to experimentally induced endotoxemia. J Vet Intern Med 2020; 35:580-589. [PMID: 33336874 PMCID: PMC7848381 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Assessment of acute phase proteins (APPs) may allow prompt detection of diseases in donkeys, that otherwise may be missed because of the stoic behavior of donkeys. Reference intervals (RIs) of APPs measured using immunoassays and a comparison of the response of these biomarkers to a controlled inflammatory insult are lacking in donkeys. OBJECTIVES (a) To describe the RIs for APPs in healthy Andalusian donkeys, (b) to study the effects of sex and age on APPs, and (c) to assess the early response of APPs to experimentally induced endotoxemia. ANIMALS Seventy-three healthy Andalusian donkeys (67 for RIs and 6 for endotoxemia). METHODS Serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp), C-reactive protein (CRP), ceruloplasmin (Cp), α1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), procalcitonin (PCT), ferritin (Ft), and fibrinogen (Fb) RIs were determined. Endotoxemia was induced and samples for APP determination were obtained at regular intervals for 4 hours. RESULTS The RIs in Andalusian donkeys were: SAA (0.1-0.6 mg/L), Hp (75-2261 mg/L), CRP (1.3-7.0 mg/L), Cp (0-745 mg/L), AGP (0-884 mg/L), PCT (0-504 pg/mL), Ft (26.9-31.8 μg/L), and Fb (115-466 mg/dL). Concentrations of SAA were higher (P < .05) in jacks. Donkeys <5 years old had higher Cp, AGP, and PCT compared to older donkeys. Concentrations of SAA and Hp were significantly increased in endotoxemic donkeys from 2 hours postinduction. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE We illustrated the importance of using species-specific RIs for APPs in donkeys and the effect of age and sex on APP concentrations. Concentrations of SAA and Hp appear to be the most useful biomarkers in donkeys in the early stages of endotoxemia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Antonio Buzon-Cuevas
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain
| | | | - Carlos Gonzalez-De Cara
- Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
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Pizarro MG, Landi V, Navas FJ, León JM, Martínez A, Fernández J, Delgado JV. Non-parametric analysis of the effects of nongenetic factors on milk yield, fat, protein, lactose, dry matter content and somatic cell count in Murciano-Granadina goats. ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/1828051x.2020.1809538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. G. Pizarro
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Animal Breeding Consulting SL, Parque Científico-Tecnológico de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - V. Landi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - F. J. Navas
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - J. M. León
- Centro Agropecuario Provincial de Córdoba, Diputación Provincial de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - A. Martínez
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - J. Fernández
- Asociación Nacional de Criadores de Caprino de Raza Murciano-Granadina, Granada, Spain
| | - J. V. Delgado
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
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Jerele S, Davis E, Mapes S, Pusterla N, Navas González FJ, Iglesias Pastrana C, Abdelfattah EM, McLean A. Survey of Serum Amyloid A and Bacterial and Viral Frequency Using qPCR Levels in Recently Captured Feral Donkeys from Death Valley National Park (California). Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10061086. [PMID: 32585994 PMCID: PMC7341296 DOI: 10.3390/ani10061086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Feral donkey removal from state land has raised concerns in terms of disease transmission between equine species. Disease outbreaks may occur as a result of the relocation of animals to new environments. Virus and bacteria DNA load and serum amyloid A derived from the pathogenic processes that they involve were measured in recently captured donkeys. Blood and nasal swabs were collected from 85 donkeys (Death Valley National Park, Shoshone, California); 24 were retested after 30/60 days in the Scenic (Arizona) long-term holding facility co-mingled with feral donkeys from Arizona and Utah. Quantitative Real-Time PCR (qPCR) was performed to detect viral and bacterial genomic material (equine influenza A [EIV], equine rhinitis A and B viruses, AHV-2, AHV-3, AHV-5 and EHV-1, EHV-4, Streptococcus equi subspecies equi and zooepidemicus,). Significant relations between behavior, body condition score, nasal discharge, and coughing were found in donkeys for which AHV-2 and Streptococcus zooepidemicus DNA was detected. Higher SAA concentrations were found in foals. AHV-2 and Streptococcus zooepidemicus DNA concentrations significantly differed between sampling moments (p < 0.05). In conclusion, donkeys do not appear to be a substantial risk for disease transmission to horses but could be if they carried strangles or other processes in which AHV-2 and Streptococcus zooepidemicus were involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Jerele
- International Animal Welfare Training Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95617, USA; (S.J.); (E.D.)
| | - Eric Davis
- International Animal Welfare Training Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95617, USA; (S.J.); (E.D.)
| | - Samantha Mapes
- Equine Viral Disease Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95617, USA; (S.M.); (N.P.)
| | - Nicola Pusterla
- Equine Viral Disease Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95617, USA; (S.M.); (N.P.)
| | - Francisco Javier Navas González
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain;
- The Worldwide Donkey Breeds Project, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
- Correspondence: (F.J.N.G.); (A.M.); Tel.: +34-651-679-262 (F.J.N.G.); +1706-296-8743 (A.M.)
| | - Carlos Iglesias Pastrana
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain;
- The Worldwide Donkey Breeds Project, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Essam Mahmoud Abdelfattah
- Department of Animal Hygiene, and Veterinary Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Qalubiya Governorate 13511, Egypt;
| | - Amy McLean
- The Worldwide Donkey Breeds Project, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
- Department of Animal Science, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- Correspondence: (F.J.N.G.); (A.M.); Tel.: +34-651-679-262 (F.J.N.G.); +1706-296-8743 (A.M.)
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Duran MC, Dumrath CAC, Bartmann CP, Medina Torres CE, Moschos A, Goehring LS. Serum Amyloid A (SAA) Concentration after Vaccination in Horses and Mules. J Equine Vet Sci 2020; 92:103165. [PMID: 32797788 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Serum amyloid A (SAA) is a sensitive acute-phase response (APR) marker in equids. Prominent APRs with elevations of SAA concentrations ([SAA]) have been reported after vaccination. The authors hypothesized that vaccination with an inactivated EHV-1/-4 vaccine would cause increase in [SAA] and antibody responses and that higher [SAA] would be positively correlated with the antibody titer in both equids. Twelve Haflinger horses and 12 mules were included in this longitudinal prospective study. All horses and mules were vaccinated with a commercially available EHV-1/-4 vaccine. Blood was sampled before and after vaccination to measure [SAA] and virus-neutralizing response (VN-T). In horses and mules, significantly higher [SAA] were measured on days 1, 3, and 5 after EHV-1/-4 vaccination; [SAA] on day 1 after vaccination were only measured in animals that developed fever, where mean [SAA] were significantly higher in horses than in mules (horses: 1,365.75 ± 87.64 mg/L, mules: 615.5 ± 153.444 mg/L) (P > .05). Four horses and 2 mules developed fever after vaccination, lasting for ≤24 hours. Increased antibody responses (VN-T) on days 7 and 14 after vaccination were observed in all animals, whereas mules showed higher overall antibody responses. Nevertheless, [SAA] did not correlate with the intensity of the antibody responses (VN-T) stimulated by the vaccine (P < .05). EHV-1/-4 vaccination caused a prominent APR, higher in horses than in mules, but [SAA] did not correlate with antibody responses. Measuring [SAA] after vaccination could help identify severe APRs that may require longer resting intervals before training or competition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Carolina Duran
- Equine Clinic, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Clinical Sciences Institute, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.
| | | | | | | | - Anastasios Moschos
- IDEXX Laboratories, Medical Science Liaison Manager - Equine, Kornwestheim, Germany
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