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Pathophysiology and diagnosis of third carpal bone disease in horses: a review.

Third carpal bone (C3) disease is a significant cause of lameness in Standardbred and Thoroughbred horses. The bone density of C3 increases as a result of exercise, reducing the compliance of the bone and predisposing it to injury. Currently, the most widely used method of diagnosis is subjective radiography using the tangential view. Radiographically, increases in bone mineral density (BMD) appear as sclerosis but it is not known at what point increases in sclerosis indicate the onset of disease or increased risk of C3 fracture. A quantitative assessment of the BMD of C3 in horses would improve understanding of the changes that occur within this bone and guide athletic management, as it is thought that BMD changes precede articular cartilage damage. Methods of non-invasive bone-mineral analysis used for the detection of osteoporosis in humans include single photon absorptiometry (SPA), dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), computed tomography (CT), radioabsorptiometry (RA), quantitative ultrasonography (QU) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). To date, DXA and RA are the most commonly used methods of quantitative non-invasive bone-mineral analysis in horses. The cost of equipment and difficulties in performing DXA in live animals preclude the routine use of this technique for diagnostic purposes. RA may become clinically applicable to C3 analysis in horses, but small variations in x-ray beam angle when taking the tangential view significantly affect results, making this technique clinically inapplicable at this time. Currently, methods of quantitative non-invasive bone-mineral analysis of C3 in horses are not suited to clinical application.

Journal Article↗

First observation of an Hashimoto thyroiditis-like disease in horses from Eastern Europe: histopathological and immunological findings.

Among 622 slaughtered horses from eastern Europe, 156 thyroid glands were selected on the basis of macroscopic alterations (e.g., determination of volume and weight). In the 80% of these thyroids, microscopic alterations consistent with a diagnosis of Hashimoto thyroiditis-like disease were found. In particular, a subverted architecture of the thyroid gland with colloid rarefaction, lymphocytic infiltration, and fibrosis was noted. The confirmation of the histopathological diagnosis of an equine Hashimoto thyroiditis-like disease was provided by the increased serum concentration of thyroglobulin, of antithyroglobulin, and of antithyroid peroxidase autoantibodies. Despite evidence consistent with an Hashimoto thyroiditis-like disease in eastern European horses, the etiopathogenesis of this autoimmune disorder deserves further investigation. In this respect, in some horses histopathological alterations in the pituitary gland may suggest an as-yet-unidentified disorder within the hypothalamus-pituitary adrenal axis associated with Hashimoto thyroiditis.

Animals↗

Tapeworms as a cause of intestinal disease in horses.

Until recently, the equine tapeworm Anoplocephala perfoliata was difficult to diagnose and considered to be of questionable pathogenicity. Here, Chris Proudman and Sandy Trees describe recent advances in the immunodiagnosis of this parasite that have facilitated epidemiological studies. These studies suggest that A. perfoliata may be an important cause of intestinal disease in the horse and demonstrate a dose-response relationship between infection intensity and risk of disease. If tapeworm infection is a risk factor for ileocaecal colic, the identification and treatment of infected individuals would be a rational approach to disease prevention.

Animals↗

Flunixin meglumine blocks frusemide-induced bronchodilation in horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Six horses that developed acute airway obstruction (heaves) when housed in a barn and fed poor-quality hay were studied. Airway obstruction was verified by a maximal change in pleural pressure during tidal breathing (delta Pplmax) of at least 15 cmH2O. Frusemide (1.0 mg/kg bwt) or an equivalent volume of vehicle was then administered intravenously (iv) and lung function was measured 15, 30, 60, 120, 180, 240 and 300 mins after drug administration. The effect of frusemide on lung function was also studied after treatment of horses with the cyclooxygenase inhibitor flunixin meglumine (1.1 mg/kg every 8 h for 2 days before the experiment). Frusemide significantly reduced the delta Pplmax beginning 15 mins after drug administration. This effect persisted for 5 h. The reduction in delta Pplmax was due partly to an increase in dynamic compliance and partly to a decrease in pulmonary resistance. Tidal volume and respiratory frequency were unaffected by frusemide. Vehicle had no effect on lung function. Flunixin meglumine abolished the effect of frusemide on airway calibre but did not prevent diuresis. These results indicate that the effect of frusemide on airways of horses with heaves persists for at least 5 h, is mediated through prostanoids, and is not a result of diuresis.

Analysis of Variance↗

Infectious disease incidence among horses in France, Ireland and the United Kingdom during 1984.

An outbreak of equine viral arteritis in the American state of Kentucky led to a temporary ban being imposed by France, Ireland and the UK on the importation of horses from the USA during 1984. Sporadic cases of influenza caused by the type 2 strain of the virus were confirmed in France throughout the year and cases of strangles in thoroughbred mares and foals were reported from all three countries. No cases of contagious equine metritis were confirmed among the thoroughbred breeding population, although a number of outbreaks of the abortion form of rhinopneumonitis occurred. A small number of clinical cases of equine infectious anaemia were confirmed in France.

Animals↗

Facial and vestibulocochlear nerve disease in six horses.

In 6 horses, clinical signs of illness implicated a lesion involving the facial and vestibulocochlear nerves. One horse had signs of otitis externa. Five horses had radiographic changes primarily involving periosteal bony proliferation of the stylohyoid bone at its articulation with the temporal bone. Five horses improved with antibiotic therapy. Otitis media-interna was found at necropsy of one horse.

Ampicillin↗

Synovial fluid cytokines and eicosanoids as markers of joint disease in horses.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of various synovial fluid cytokines and eicosanoids to diagnose joint disease or categories of joint disease. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective acquisition of clinicopathologic data. ANIMALS OR SAMPLE POPULATION: Client-owned or donated horses: 50 joints with no evidence of disease; 28 joints with acute disease; 32 joints with chronic disease; 9 joints with cartilage damage and no other signs of joint disease. METHODS: Concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), interleukin-6 (IL-6), prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), thromboxane B(2) (TXB(2)), prostaglandin F1-alpha (PGF(1)-alpha), and leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)), were measured in equine synovial fluid by immunoassay and categorized according to duration and degree of joint disease. Any test value for a given category that was different from normal was further analyzed for sensitivity (S), specificity (Sp), and operating point (most valid test cutoff value). Likelihood ratios and predictive values were calculated at the operating point. Mediator concentrations were correlated to synovial fluid white blood cell count. Tests were reported as poor, fair, good, or excellent based on predictive values of <.25,.25-.5,.5-.75, or >.75, respectively. RESULTS: TNF synovial fluid concentration as a predictor of joint disease was good, and the value of TNF (maximum S and Sp) indicating joint disease was >36 pg/mL. IL-1beta as a predictor of joint disease was good, and the value of IL-1beta indicating joint disease was >4.5 pg/mL. IL-6 concentration was an excellent predictor of joint disease. Any IL-6 in synovial fluid indicated joint disease and correlated highly with synovial fluid white blood cell count (P <.0001). PGE(2) was a good-excellent predictor of disease (positive predictive value [PPV] = 0.75), and the concentration indicating joint disease was >22.5 pg/mL. The diagnostic PGF(1)-alpha concentration indicating severe chronic joint disease was identified to be >16.5 pg/mL with very high sensitivity (S = 1) and specificity (Sp =.89). PGF(1)-alpha concentrations > 9.5 pg/mL had a good PPV (.69) and NPV (.6) for any joint disease. TBX(2) concentrations below 31.5 pg/mL (S =.57; Sp =.61) were a very good predictor of joint disease (PPV =.72). LTB(4) concentration appeared to be greater in severe acute joint disease than normal joints; this was not significant (P =.15) and correlated highly with synovial fluid white blood cell count (P =.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The ability of a single value from a joint in an adult horse predicting the presence of joint disease was often good (.5-.75), and was excellent (> or =.75) for IL-6 and PGE(2). TNF-alpha and IL-1beta were no more effective than white blood cell count in screening for joint disease. IL-6 was the most sensitive and specific for joint disease and could be an excellent screening test for the presence of joint disease when lameness is difficult to identify or is intermittent. PGE(2) would be a functional screening test for the presence of any joint disease and offers a differentiating feature because values were not influenced by white blood cell count. PGF(1)-alpha values > 16.5 pg/mL identified chronic severe joint disease and may be clinically useful when there are minimal radiographic changes but substantial articular cartilage degradation.

Acute Disease↗

Navicular disease in the horse. A microangiographic investigation.

Microangiographical investigations of the navicular bone in horses with navicular disease show, compared to similar investigations of normal navicular bones, that, in general, the vascular pattern is preserved but the vessels are dilated with "pooling" of the contrast medium subchondrally under facies flexoria. Similar changes may be observed in cases of human arthrosis. The present investigation therefore supports the view that navicular disease is a disease which resembles arthrosis.

Angiography↗