Publication Date
1-9-2023
Journal
Veterinary Medicine and Science
DOI
10.1002/vms3.1005
PMID
36423204
PMCID
PMC9856977
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
11-24-2022
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Post-print
Published Open-Access
yes
Keywords
Animals, Horses, Serum Amyloid A Protein, Acute-Phase Proteins, Haptoglobins, Actinomycetales Infections, RNA, Ribosomal, 16S, Pneumonia, Bacterial, Horse Diseases, acute‐phase protein, Arabian foal, haptoglobin, Rhodococcus equi, serum amyloid A
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Early detection of Rhodococcus equi pneumonia in foals is essential for horse health and for veterinarians.
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to demonstrate the usefulness of assessing the serum concentration of acute-phase proteins (APPs) in the early diagnosis of pneumonia.
METHODS: The study evaluated APPs in 19 Arabian foals with R. equi pneumonia and compared them with 18 normal Arabian foals in equestrian clubs in Tabriz, Iran. Affected foals were identified through history, clinical findings and bacterial culture of tracheal washing. Biochemical methods and polymerase chain reaction tests were performed by examining the 16S rRNA and vapA genes to confirm the diagnosis of bacterial isolates. Blood samples were taken from all sick and healthy horses, and their serum was isolated. APPs in the serum were measured in all the samples.
RESULTS: Rhodococcosis increased the serum concentration of haptoglobin (Hp) and serum amyloid A (SAA) (p < 0.001). The relationship between SAA and Hp was meaningful in the infected group (r = 0.933) but not in the healthy group. In cases where there are clinical findings of R. equi pneumonia, the concentration of SAA and Hp can help the effectiveness of treatment.
- CONCLUSIONS: Serum concentration analysis of APPs can be helpful in early diagnosis and successfully treating foals with R. equi pneumonia.
Included in
Large or Food Animal and Equine Medicine Commons, Life Sciences Commons, Medical Sciences Commons, Medical Specialties Commons
Comments
Associated Data