Acute phase proteins, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor, nitric oxide and oxidative stress markers in horses with cutaneous habronemosis under field condition

Evaluation of gastrointestinal tract lesions and serum malondialdehyde levels after repeated oral administration of phenylbutazone in horses

Phenylbutazone (PBZ) is a widely used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug for horses. However, because of its gastrointestinal side effects, its administration requires careful attention in veterinary practice. Malondialdehyde (MDA) is a serum biomarker associated with increased damage to the equine gastrointestinal system. This study investigated the hematological effects and alterations in the gastrointestinal tract and assessed serum MDA concentrations following repeated oral PBZ administration at clinical doses. Fourteen horses were randomly divided into control and treatment groups. All horses in the treatment group were administered 4.4 milligrams per kilogram of body weight of PBZ syrup orally twice a day for 7 days, whereas the control group received syrup as a placebo. The development of gastrointestinal side effects was investigated using gastroscopy, abdominal ultrasound, and fecal pH; serum MDA concentrations were assessed using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Data were compared between PBZ-treated and control horses before and after the treatment period. The treatment group exhibited decreased albumin and total protein concentrations. Moreover, this group exhibited a higher thickness of the right dorsal colon wall (p = 0.03) and had higher scores for squamous gastric ulcers (p = 0.01). Fecal pH was lower in the treatment group than in the control group after PBZ administration (p < 0.01). Although MDA concentrations were higher in the treatment group after PBZ administration, they did not differ significantly from those of the control group. This study highlighted the changes in hematological and gastrointestinal lesions resulting from PBZ administration in horses at clinical doses, even without clinical signs. However, MDA may not be an optimal biomarker for the early detection of gastrointestinal damage due to PBZ treatment in horses.

Association of the severity of colic in horses with oxidative stress biomarkers, acute-phase proteins, and certain trace elements

Sixty-one horses were enrolled in this study and divided into 3 different groups according to their severity of colic (heart rate, oral mucous membrane color, and abdominal distention): a strangulating colic (SC) group (n=21), non-strangulating colic (NC) group (n=20), and control group (n=20) consisting of randomly selected normal horses without signs of colic. The serum concentrations of haptoglobin, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), zinc, iron, and copper were evaluated in all horses. The average concentration of TNFα in the SC group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.001). The TNFα concentration was higher in the NC group compared with the control group (P<0.001). Furthermore, the average concentration of TNFα tended to be higher in the SC group compared with the NC group (P=0.052). The average concentration of haptoglobin in the SC group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.001). The average concentration of NO was higher in the SC group compared with the NC group. (P=0.016) The average concentration of MDA was higher in the SC group compared with the control group (P=0.042). Furthermore, the concentration of MDA was higher in the SC group compared with the NC group (P=0.048). TNFα in horses with signs of colic may be a reliable indicator of prognosis and the severity of clinical signs. The haptoglobin concentration may be a useful marker in cases where animals are referred to clinicians a few days after the onset of colic. The concentrations of MDA and NO should be interpreted with caution.

Efficacy of chitosan in the treatment of chronic skin lesions in a horse: A case report

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A case of a Gypsy Vanner horse with chronic foreskin lesion is reported.

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Chronic skin lesions in horses are a diagnostic challenge.

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Topical application of chitosan favors healing in horses with chronic skin lesions.

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Chitosan prevents complications in chronic skin lesions in horses.

Consultation was requested for a 7-year-old Gypsy Vanner male horse with a 2-year history of foreskin injury. Upon revision, an ulcer, 153 cm² in size, with yellowish granules was observed; a RESVECH 2.0 evaluation revealed a score of 32/35 points. Medical history confirmed multiple failed deworming, anti-inflammatory, and antibiotic treatments with different topical therapies and recurrence in summer. Laboratory results confirmed elevated total proteins (8.8 g/dL) and globulins (5.5 g/dL), negative bacterial and fungal cultures, as well as negative coproparasitoscopic findings, and finally, identification of stable fly larvae (Stomoxys calcitrans) in the feces. Microscopy showed disorganized collagen, thickened tissue, polymorphonuclear cells, and acanthosis without neoplastic tissue or parasite remains. Debridement was performed and systemic treatment with ivermectin, penicillin, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) continued. In addition, 2% chitosan gel and films were applied to the entire surface of the lesion for 72 hours on 30 occasions; vector control with nets and insecticides was performed. On day 94, there was a 6 cm² surface with involvement of the dermal and epidermal layers, moist epithelial tissue, and diffuse edges, with a RESVECH 2.0 evaluation of 6/35 points. Microscopy showed an intact basement membrane, presence of hair follicles, sweat glands, aligned collagen, and angiogenesis. It was concluded that chronic skin lesions in horses represent a diagnostic challenge, and topical chitosan is an adequate treatment due to its biocompatibility and efficacy, in addition to the functional and cosmetic results in dermal regeneration.

Biomarkers of sepsis in pigs, horses and cattle: from acute phase proteins to procalcitonin

Sepsis is a complex clinical syndrome triggered by an inflammatory host response to an infection. It is usually complicated to detect and diagnose, and has severe consequences in human and veterinary health, especially when treatment is not started early. Therefore, efforts to detect sepsis accurately are needed. In addition, its proper diagnosis could reduce the misuse of antibiotics, which is essential fighting against antimicrobial resistance. This case is a particular issue in farm animals, as antibiotics have been traditionally given massively, but now they are becoming increasingly restricted. When sepsis is suspected in animals, the most frequently used biomarkers are acute phase proteins such as C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A and haptoglobin, but their concentrations can increase in other inflammatory conditions. In human patients, the most promising biomarkers to detect sepsis are currently procalcitonin and presepsin, and there is a wide range of other biomarkers under study. However, there is little information on the application of these biomarkers in veterinary species. This review aims to describe the general concepts of sepsis and the current knowledge about the biomarkers of sepsis in pigs, horses, and cattle and to discuss possible advances in the field.

Assessment of Standing and Recumbent Restraint Positions and the Significance of Rumenotomy Techniques Based on the Profiles of Serum Amyloid a in Kano Brown Goats

Standing and lateral recumbency positions have been used as a standard approach for most surgical procedures for large and small ruminants, respectively, without appropriate attention to the associated surgical stress. The study aimed to assess the level of surgical stress in Kano Brown goats (KBGs) based on their serum amyloid A (SAA) profiles by undergoing rumenotomy in lateral recumbency (Rumen Skin Clamp Fixation-RSCF and Stay Suture Rumenotomy-SSR) and a standing position restraint. A total of 24 KBGs were equally allocated by number and sex in groups A, B, C, and D. Groups A and B underwent RSCF and SSR in lateral recumbency, respectively, while group D underwent a rumenotomy in a standing position performed in a custom made mobile small ruminant surgical chute. Animals in groups A, B, and D were diagnosed with rumen foreign bodies, whereas group C was used as a control with a negative diagnosis. At 48 h post-rumenotomy, the mean SAA concentration in group B (137.88±66.87 g/L) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than the value in group C (34.59±0.57 g/L). The females in group B had a significantly higher (P<0.05) mean concentration of SAA at 48 hours (210.15±123.73 g/L) than groups C (35.18±0.08 g/L) and D (48.35±12.15 g/L). In group A, at 24 hours, SAA concentration (115.61±20.96 µg/L) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of group B (31.51±2.59 µg/L) and group C (34.86±3.21 µg/L) in males. Rumenotomy in the standing restraint position was associated with minimal surgical stress, hence it’s recommended over the conventional lateral recumbent position techniques.

Evaluation of Oxidative Stress Parameters in Healthy Saddle Horses in Relation to Housing Conditions, Presence of Stereotypies, Age, Sex and Breed

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the development of many horse diseases and it has been shown that housing has important implications for the psychophysical well-being of horses. The aim of this study is to determine if there are any differences between the redox status in horses in relation to housing conditions. The four housing conditions analyzed were: single box, without external access and without contact (Cat A), single box with external access and possibility of partial contact (Cat B), group housing with box and large paddock (Cat C), pasture with more than 7 horses and the possibility of green forage for the whole year (Cat D). A group of 117 healthy horses were selected in several private stables in Northern Italy. All subjects treated with any type of drug were excluded. At the end of the enrollment, the 117 selected horses were divided into the four housing categories. Stereotypies were highest in the group of horses in single box, without external access and without contact (Cat A). Oxidative stress was evaluated by testing plasma or serum samples for the following parameters: superoxide anion (WST), nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (d-ROMs), ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD). Simultaneously with the blood sampling, the owners completed a questionnaire with all the management aspects of the horse (signaling, feeding, equestrian activity, vaccinations, foot management etc.). The statistical evaluation was carried out based on the categories previously described, on the presence and absence of stereotypies and on some signaling data obtained from the questionnaire. There were no significant differences in the parameters analyzed between the categories. No significant redox status differences were detected based on the presence or absence of stereotypies. Interestingly, when the age was introduced as selection (<14 and >14 years old) parameter inside the categories, statistical significance was observed for some of the stress markers considered. Finally, independently of the housing conditions, the horses of the most two represented breeds exhibited different values of FRAP. All these aspects are commented in the discussion.

Estimation of Nitrite-Nitric Oxide Derivative-In Horses with Intestinal Colic by ESR Spectroscopy

Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract of horses are caused by many factors and have a complex pathogenesis. Developing effective methods of differential diagnostics is of high fundamental and applied importance. The pathogenesis of diseases of the digestive tract of horses accompanied by the development of inflammation and oxidative stress, can be associated with a lack of the nitrogen monoxide which controls many signaling pathways in the body. The level of the nitric oxide (NO) is involved in the regulation of the immune and nervous systems, the tone of all the blood vessels, and the courses of many pathological processes. The nitric oxide activates guanylate cyclase (sGC) and leads to vascular relaxation. The aim of this investigation was to study the metabolites of nitric oxide in horses suffered from intestinal diseases. The levels of nitric oxide in the blood serum of horses depending on their age and health state was studied. The concentration of nitrites in the blood serum of horses aged 6–25 years was 3.4 ± 4.2 μM, and in the young horses (1–5 years) the level of this indicator was 8.2 ± 5.4 μM. A sharp decrease in nitrite was observed in all the horses with intestinal diseases of 2 ± 0.9 μM, especially with tympanitic caecun of 0.6 ± 0.4 μM and with spasmodic colic of 1.8 ± 0.5 μM. The level of nitrosylhemoglobin HbNO in the blood of the diseased animals was higher than that in clinically healthy horses, regardless of age.

Investigation of acute-phase proteins and cytokines response in goats with contagious caprine pleuropneumonia with special reference to their diagnostic accuracy

Acute-phase proteins (APPs) have always had valued diagnostic potentialities in response to infection. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of selected APPs and proinflammatory cytokines (PIC) in goats with contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) under field conditions. Moreover, to highlight the role of tested biomarkers in CCPP pathogenesis. Fifty-eight goats (38 confirmed cases with CCPP and 20 healthy controls) were involved in this investigation. C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), haptoglobin (HP), fibrinogen (Fb), serum amyloid A (SAA), selected PIC (IL1-α, IL1-β, IL-6, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)) levels were investigated in serum samples from all goats under investigation. Latex agglutination test was used for diagnosis of goats with CCPP. For microbiological investigations, nasopharyngeal swabs (from all goats), lung tissues and pleural fluids (from only necropsied goats) were collected. This study revealed that all tested parameters have a high to moderate degree of diagnostic performance for CCPP. Magnitudes of increase in levels of APPs (CRP, HP and SAA) were stronger than PIC, IFN-γ, Fb and PCT. All tested parameters showed high diagnostic accuracy (AUROC >90%), except HP (AUROC = 87.3%) and IFN-γ (AUROC = 78.8%) showed moderate accuracy in differentiation of goats with and without CCPP infection. For detecting goats with and without CCPP infection, HP had the lowest sensitivity (Se = 81.6%) and Fb had the lowest specificity (Sp = 85.0%) among the APPs parameters tested. However, PCT showed the highest Se (100%) and Sp (95.0%) to detect goats with and without CCPP infection among tested parameters. Conclusively, this study endorses the significance of selected APPs and PIC as additional screening diagnostic parameters for naturally occurring CCPP in goats. However, it does not replace traditional methods for diagnosis of CCPP in goats. Furthermore, APPs and PIC have an important role in disease pathogenesis in goats.

Relationship between red cell distribution width and prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma

We retrospectively collected the clinical data and follow-up information of patients with osteosarcoma who were admitted to Department of Orthopedics, RenMin Hospital of Wuhan University from January 2010 to December 2016 and explore the relationship between red cell distribution width (RDW) and prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma. The present study finally included 271 patients with osteosarcoma with median follow-up time of 24.2 months (3–69 months). According to the RDW median, 135 patients belong to the low RDW group and 136 patients belong to high RDW group. Compared with low RDW group, the high RDW group tend to have metastasis (50 vs 32.6%, P=0.004), higher poor response rate to chemotherapy compared with the low RDW group (24.3 vs 7.4%, P=0.000) and higher C-reactive protein (CRP) (7.6 ± 4.9 vs 5.5 ± 4.5, t = 3.727, P=0.000). There was slightly significant difference in the types of pathology (χ² = 8.059, P=0.045). The Kaplan–Meier analysis indicated survival curve of high RDW group was poorer than that in the low RDW group (P=0.020). The univariate cox analysis indicated that patients with RDW ≥ median had higher risk of poor prognosis compared with those who had RDW level < median (HR = 2.41, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.51–3.83, P=0.000). After adjusting some potential cofounding factors, the elevated RDW was still associated with poor prognosis (HR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.07–2.56, P=0.024). The elevated pretreatment RDW was associated with poor overall survival (OS) in patients with osteosarcoma and can be an independent predictor of prognosis.

The Contribution of Specific and Nonspecific Biomarkers in Diagnosis of Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) Under Field Condition

The aim of this study is to investigate the diagnostic efficiency of gastrin, pepsinogen, proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6), and oxidative stress biomarkers in horses with equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS). Thirty horses diagnosed with gastroscopic EGUS and 15 clinically healthy horses were selected for this study. The serum levels of gastrin, pepsinogen showed nonsignificant changes in horses with EGUS when compared with healthy horses. The serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6 revealed a significant increase in horses with EGUS when compared with healthy ones. Oxidative stress is evident in horses with EGUS in comparison with healthy horses as detected by higher levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and decreased serum levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and nitric oxide (NO). MDA and TNF-α showed better sensitivity and specificity than IL-6 in distinguishing horses with EGUS from control horses. Conclusively, examination of serum gastrin and pepsinogen levels had a limited value in diagnosis of EGUS in horses under investigation. Moreover, this study showed that oxidative stress is evident in horses with EGUS. Higher levels of TNF-α and IL-6 indicate their role in EGUS pathogenesis in horses. Finally, MDA, TNF-α, and IL-6 could be used as biological markers for preliminary screening of horses with EGUS. Gastroscopy still accredited as the "gold standard" for diagnosis EGUS.