bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A survey for antibodies to equine arteritis virus in donkeys, mules and zebra using virus neutralisation (VN) and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
Authors: PAWESKA J. T. , BINNS M. M. , WOODS P S. A. , CHIRNSIDE E. D. 
Published: April 2010

SummaryA seroepidemiological survey of donkeys in South Africa (n = 4300) indicated a wide distribution and increasing prevalence of antibodies to equine arteritis virus (EAV). Donkey sera inhibited equine arteritis virus infection in virus neutralisation (VN) tests and in ELISA specifically bound to a recombinant antigen derived from the Bucyrus isolate of EAV. These results suggest that donkeys have been exposed to the same serotype of this virus as circulates among horses. A good correlation existed between EAV neutralising antibody titres and ELISA absorbance values (0.8631); the ELISA was sensitive and specific (99.2% and 80.3% respectively) for donkey sera when compared to the VN test and the recombinant ELISA antigen did not cross‐react with sera positive for common African equine pathogens. VN+ ELISA+ donkeys were also found in Morocco and Zimbabwe and seropositive mules in both South Africa and Morocco. No seropositive zebra (n = 266) were detected from game reserves or zoos in 9 countries. The results confirm that in addition to horses and donkeys, mules are naturally infected with EAV.
Prevalence of fetal maldispositions in equine referral hospital dystocias
Authors: FRAZER G. S. , PERKINS N. R. , BLANCHARD T. L. , ORSINl J. , THRELFALL W. R. 
Published: April 2010

SummaryA retrospective investigation was performed to determine the population characteristics of horses presented for dystocia at 2 equine referral hospitals and the types of fetal maldispositions among these horses. The study population consisted of a similar number of Thoroughbreds (25%), Standardbreds (24%) and draft horses (22%). Most of the current literature pertaining to equine obstetrics is based on a predominately draft horse population (63%). The latter population appeared to have more transverse presentations (P = 0.06), possibly because of the higher number of draft mares. In our study, 43% (6/14) of the transverse presentations occurred in draft breeds. Furthermore, 18% of the draft mare dystocias (6/33) were transverse presentations whereas only 8% (6/73) of the 2 major light breeds (Thoroughbred n = 3; Standardbred n = 3) had transverse presentation dystocias. Despite the significant breed differences between the 2 populations (P<0.001), the prevalence of all other fetal maldispositions was not different from those previously reported. Severe dystocia was often multifactorial, with 86% of cases involving malposture and over half (58%) of these involving more than one extremity. Head and/or neck deviation were a major reason for referral. In 30% of cases malposition was a factor, and abnormal presentation was involved in 24% of referrals.
Genetic markers in Standardbred trotters susceptible to the rhabdomyolysis syndrome
Authors: COLLINDER E. , LINDHOLM A. , RASMUSON MARIANNE 
Published: April 2010

SummaryThe equine rhabdomyolysis syndrome (RHA) is believed to be multifactorial in origin; and could be caused by an interaction between genetic and environmental factors. In order to analyse its genetic background an association study was undertaken. Two sample groups of Standardbreds (Stb) which had suffered from RHA were compared to the total population of Swedish Standardbred trotters using recorded polymorphic genetic markers. The results showed that gene frequencies for several markers in the RHA groups differed significantly from those estimated for the total population. A rhabdomyolysis risk group could be characterised using 4 or 5 genetic marker loci.
Comparison of collagen fibril populations in the superficial digital flexor tendons of exercised and nonexercised Thoroughbreds
Authors: PATTERSON‐KANE J. C. , WILSON A. M. , FIRTH E. C. , PARRY D. A. D. , GOODSHIP A. E. 
Published: April 2010

SummaryThis study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that collagen fibrils, the submicroscopic units of strength in tendon, would hypertrophy in response to a specific defined training programme. Fibril diameters were measured in central and peripheral regions of superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) samples from five 18‐month‐old horses which underwent a subsequent 18 month training programme and 6 age‐ and sex‐matched controls.Central region fibrils from the trained horses had a mass‐average diameter (MAD) of 105.3 nm, which was significantly lower (P<0.01) than that of 131.7 nm for the same region in the control horses. This reduction in fibril diameter in the region of tendon which is predisposed to injury was interpreted as evidence of microtrauma, as it implies the region is weakened by the training regimen. Repeated episodes of microtrauma may accumulate and eventually result in degenerative lesions and clinical tendonitis.
Severe polysaccharide storage myopathy in Belgian and Percheron draught horses
Authors: VALENTINE B. A. , CREDILLE K. M. , LAVOIE J.‐P , FATONE S. , GUARD C. , CUMMINGS J. F. , COOPER B. J. 
Published: April 2010

SummaryA severe myopathy leading to death or euthanasia was identified in 4 Belgian and 4 Percheron draught horses age 2–21 years. Clinical signs ranged from overt weakness and muscle atrophy in 2 horses age 2 and 3 years, to recumbency with inability to rise in 6 horses age 4–21 years. In 5 horses there was mild to severe increases in muscle enzyme levels. Clinical diagnoses included equine motor neuron disease (2 horses), post anaesthetic myopathy (2 horses), exertional myopathy (2 horses), myopathy due to unknown (one horse), and equine protozoal myelitis (one horse). Characteristic histopathology of muscle from affected horses was the presence of excessive complex polysaccharide and/or glycogen, revealed by periodic acid‐Schiff staining in all cases and by electron microscopy in one case. Evaluation of frozen section histochemistry performed on 2 cases indicated that affected fibres wereType 2glycolytic fibres. Subsarcolemmal and intracytoplasmic vacuoles were most prominent in 3 horses age 2–4 years, and excessive glycogen, with little or no complex polysaccharide, was the primary compound stored in affected muscle in these young horses. Myopathic changes, including fibre size variation, fibre hypertrophy, internal nuclei, and interstitial fat infiltration, were most prominent in 5 horses age 6–21 years, and the accumulation of complex polysaccharide appeared to increase with age. Mild to moderate segmental myofibre necrosis was present in all cases.
Cortisol concentrations in post competition horse urine: A French and British survey
Authors: POPOT M. A. , HOUGHTON E. , GINN A. , JONES M. , TEALE P. , SAMUELS T. , LASSOURD V. , DUNNETT N. , COWAN D. A. , BONNAIRE Y. , TOUTAIN P. L. 
Published: April 2010

SummaryThe purpose of the present report was to estimate the population parameters of cortisol concentrations in urine, an endogenous hormone used as a ‘doping’ agent and for which an international threshold (1.0 μg/ml) has been proposed. Two data bases (French and UK) corresponding to 112 and 142 samples, respectively were considered. Urine was collected under specific post competition conditions. Cortisol concentrations were obtained by validated methods (HPLC for the French samples, and GC‐MS for UK samples). No difference was observed between the 2 data sets and statistical analyses were carried out on the two merged flies. The overall geometric mean cortisol concentration was 48 ng/ml. Distribution was not Gaussian. A log‐normal distribution was not rejected (for P>0.05). Using the log‐normal distribution, it was calculated that the probability of exceeding a cortisol concentration in urine of 1.0 μg/ml was 1.1 times 10−4. It was concluded that the actual international threshold is specific i.e. robust with regard to the risk of erroneously declaring an unmedicated horse as positive.
An outbreak of abortion in mares associated with Salmonella abortusequi infection
Authors: MADIĆ J. , HAJSIG D. , SOSTARI B. , ĆURIĆ S. , SEOL BRANKA , NAGLIĆ T. , CVETNIĆ Z. 
Published: April 2010

SummaryAn abortion outbreak occurred in a herd of 38 horses, 26 of which were pregnant mares. Twenty‐one mares aborted between 5–10 months of gestation. In no case were there indications of impending abortion. Pathoanatomical, histopathological, virological and bacteriological examinations were carried out on 4 aborted fetuses. Histopathology identified Gram‐negative bacteria compatible with salmonella in all 4 placentae. By subsequent bacteriological examination Salmonella abortusequi was isolated as the single causative agent in each case. Nonmotile Salmonella abortusequi with antigenic formula 4,12:‐:‐ was isolated from one of the 4 fetuses. The described episode of equine abortion clearly indicates that Salmonella abortusequi has not been eradicated from Europe as previously thought.
Cellular heterogeneity in cathepsin D distribution in equine articular cartilage
Authors: HERNANDEZ‐VIDAL G. , JEFFCOTT L. B. , DAVIES M. E. 
Published: April 2010

SummaryThe distribution of cathepsin D in normal equine growth cartilage has been examined immunocytochemically using an antiserum raised against human cathepsin D. The cross‐reactivity and specificity of the antiserum for equine cathepsin D was confirmed, and its lysosomal localisation was demonstrated in horse skin fibroblasts by confocal scanning microscopy. Cultured horse chondrocytes were heterogenous in their expression of cathepsin D. Heterogeneity of distribution of the enzyme was also seen in chondrocytes in cartilage from different anatomical sites. A high level of cathepsin D was observed in the deep layer of cartilage from the lateral trochlear ridge of the distal femur. Cathepsin D was absent in the hypertrophic zone of the distal radial growth plate.
Clostridium difficileassociated with acute colitis in mature horses treated with antibiotics
Authors: BÄVERUD V. , GUSTAFSSON A. , FRANKLIN A. , LINDHOLM A. , GUNNARSSON A. 
Published: April 2010

SummaryClostridium (C.) difficile, or its cytoxin, was demonstrated in faecal samples from 10 of 25 (40%) mature horses investigated with acute colitis treated primarily with antibiotics for disorders other than diarrhoea.C. difficilewas not found in faecal samples from 140 horses without signs of enteric disorders, from 21 nondiarrhoeic horses treated with antibiotics, nor from 22 horses with colitis untreated with antibiotics. Except forC. difficileneitherSalmonellanor any other investigated intestinal pathogen was isolated in any of the diarrhoeic horses. The findings strongly support some earlier reports thatC. difficileis associated with acute colitis in mature horses treated with antibiotics.Of the 10 horses, 4 proved positive forC. difficileboth in culture and in the cytotoxin test, 4 in culture only and 2 only in the cytotoxin test. Eight of 10 horses positive for C. difficile were or had recently been hospitalised, indicating thatC. difficilemay be a nosocomial infection in horses. All horses positive forC. difficilewere treated with β‐lactam antibiotics.The authors are grateful to A. Hellander‐Edman, B. Green and J. Skidell for fruitful cooperation and for providing specimens and to G. Holmström, G. Sigstam and H. Ljung for excellent technical assistance. This research was supported by ATG (the Swedish Horserace Totalizator Board) and the AGRIA Foundation for Research.
Pulmonary vascular pressures of strenuously exercising Thoroughbreds after administration of varying doses of frusemide
Authors: MANOHAR M. , GOETZ T. E. , SULLIVAN EILEEN , GRIFFIN R. 
Published: April 2010

SummaryThe frusemide dose‐response for attenuation of exercise‐induced pulmonary capillary hypertension was studied in 7 healthy, exercise‐conditioned Thoroughbred horses using previously described haemodynamic procedures. Four different doses of frusemide were tested: 250 mg regardless of bodyweight (amounting to 0.56 ± 0.03 mg/kg bwt), 1.0 mg/kg bwt, 1.5 mg/kg bwt and 2.0 mg/kg bwt. Frusemide was administered i.v., 4 h before exercise. Haemodynamic data were obtained at rest and during treadmill exercise performed at 14.2 m/s on a 3.5% uphill grade; this workload elicited maximal heart rate of horses. Airway endoscopy was performed post exercise to detect exercise‐induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH). In standing horses, frusemide administration resulted in a significant (P<0.05) decrease in mean pulmonary arterial, pulmonary capillary and pulmonary artery wedge pressures, but significant differences among the various frusemide doses were not observed. In the control experiments, exercise caused significant increments in the right atrial as well as pulmonary arterial, wedge, and capillary pressures, and all horses experienced EIPH. Following frusemide administration, the exercise‐induced rise in right atrial and pulmonary vascular pressures was significantly attenuated, but significant differences between the frusemide doses of 250 mg, 1.0 mg/kg, and 1.5 mg/kg were not discerned and all horses remained positive for EIPH. Although a further significant (P<0.05) attenuation of the exercise‐induced rise in pulmonary capillary blood pressure occurred when frusemide dose increased from 250 mg to 2.0 mg/kg bwt, all horses still experienced EIPH. It is concluded that a linear response to increasing frusemide dosage in terms of attenuation of the pulmonary capillary hypertension does not exist in strenuously exercising Thoroughbred horses.
Tachykinin receptors in the equine pelvic flexure
Authors: SONEA IOANA M. , WILSON DEBORAH V. , BOWKER R. M. , ROBINSON N. E. 
Published: April 2010

SummaryTachykinins, of which substance P (SP) is the prototype, are neuropeptides which are widely distributed in the nervous systems. In the equine gut, SP is present in enteric nerves and is a powerful constrictor of enteric muscle; in other species, SP is also known to have potent vasodilatory and proinflammatory effects. The specific effects of SP are determined by the subtype of receptor present in the target tissue. There are 3 known subtypes of tachykinin receptors, distinguished by their relative affinities for SP and other tachykinins. The distribution of SP binding sites in the equine pelvic flexure was determined using125I‐Bolton Hunter SP (I‐BHSP) autoradiography. Most I‐BHSP binding sites were determined to be saturable and specific, therefore presumably representing tachykinin receptors. The greatest degree of I‐BHSP binding occurred over very small vessels, and over themuscularis mucosae; I‐BHSP binding was also intense over the circular muscle of themuscularis externaand mucosa, and present, although less intense, over the longitudinal muscle of themuscularis externa. Competition of I‐BHSP with specific receptor agonists for binding sites in the equine pelvic flexure were used to determine the subtypes of tachykinin receptors present. The neurokinin‐1 receptor subtype predominated in the equine pelvic flexure, followed by the neurokinin‐3 receptor subtype.
The association of erythromycin ethylsuccinate with acute colitis in horses in Sweden
Authors: GUSTAFSSON A. , BÄVERUD V. , GUNNARSSON A. , RANTZIEN M. HORN , LINDHOLM A. , FRANKLIN A. 
Published: April 2010

SummaryIn Sweden there are several reports of mares developing acute colitis while their foals were being treated orally forRhodococcus equipneumonia with the combination of erythromycin and rifampicin. In this study 6 adult horses were given low oral dosages of these antibiotics, singly or in combination. Within 3 days post administration of erythromycin, in one case in combination with rifampicin, 2 horses developed severe colitis (one fatal).Clostridium difficilewas isolated from one of the horses, whereas no specific pathogens were isolated from the other. Both horses had typical changes in blood parameters seen in acute colitis.Clostridium difficilewas also isolated from the faeces of a third horse given an even lower dosage of erythromycin in combination with rifampicin. This horse developed very mild clinical symptoms and recovered spontaneously. In the fourth horse given erythromycin only, very high numbers ofClostridium perfringenswere isolated. The horses given rifampicin only did not develop any clinical symptoms and there were no major changes in their faecal flora. In conclusion, it has been demonstrated that low dosages of erythromycin ethylsuccinate can induce severe colitis in horses associated with major changes of the intestinal microflora.Clostridium difficilehas been demonstrated as a potential aetiological agent in antibiotic‐induced acute colitis.
Effect of acepromazine and butorphanol on halothane minimum alveolar concentration in ponies
Authors: DOHERTY T. J. , GEISER D. R. , ROHRBACH B. W. 
Published: April 2010

SummaryThe effect of i.v. acepromazine (0.05 mg/kg bwt), butorphanol (0.05 mg/kg bwt) and a combination of acepromazine and butorphanol on halothane minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) was determined in 7 mixed‐breed ponies. Ventilation was controlled, and blood pressure and temperature were maintained within normal limits. Following the determination of baseline MAC, treatments were administered to each pony in a random manner. The control treatment was normal saline. The baseline halothane MAC for the control group was 0.91 ± 0.04%, and no significant change occurred after saline administration. Acepromazine decreased (P = 0.0001) the halothane MAC from mean ± s.e. 0.92 ± 0.02% to 0.58 ± 0.04%, and the combination of acepromazine and butorphanol, decreased (P = 0.003) halothane MAC, from mean ± s.e 0.95 ± 0.04% to 0.59 ± 0.06%. This represents a decrease of 36.9 and 37.8%, respectively. However, the difference between these 2 treatments was not significant. Butorphanol did not significantly change the mean group value for MAC; nevertheless, 3 ponies had an increase, one a decrease, while the MAC did not change in the remaining 3 ponies following butorphanol treatment.
Pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin in horses after single intravenous and intramuscular administration
Authors: KAARTINEN LIISA , PANU SARI , PYÖRÄLÄ SATU 
Published: April 2010

SummaryPharmacokinetic behaviour of enrofloxacin was studied in 6 horses after intravenous (i.v.) or intramuscular (i.m.) administration of enrofloxacin (5 mg/kg bwt). Concentrations of enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin were measured by high performance liquid chromatography in serum. Antimicrobial activity of the samples was determined with an agar‐diffusion technique. Reactions at the site of i.m. injection were monitored clinically and by determination of serum creatine kinase (CK) activity.After i.v. administration, elimination half‐life of enrofloxacin was 4.4 h and volume of distribution was 2.3 1/kg bwt. Enrofloxacin was rapidly metabolised to ciprofloxacin. The half‐life of ciprofloxacin parallelled that of the parent drug, its concentration in serum reached 20–35% of that of the parent drug. After i.m. administration, elimination half‐life of enrofloxacin was longer (9.9 h) than after i.v. administration. Mean absorption time of enrofloxacin was also long (9.9 h).No statistically significant differences were found when half‐life and mean residence time of antimicrobial activity were compared with those of enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin from chemically analysed data.Intramuscular injection of enrofloxacin was found to be very irritating. After i.m. administration, CK activity in serum, compared with pre‐injection levels, increased over 10‐fold. CK activity also stayed high during the 32 h follow‐up period. Clinical reactions, such as swelling or tenderness at the i.m. injection sites, were observed in 2 horses.
Aerosol deposition in equine lungs following ultrasonic nebulisation versus jet aerosol delivery system
Authors: VOTION DOMINIQUE , GHAFIR YASMINE , MUNSTERS K. , DUVIVIER DOMINIQUE H. , ART TANIA , LEKEUX P. 
Published: April 2010

SummaryTherapeutic aerosols play an increasing role in the treatment of equine respiratory disorders. This route of delivery permits concentration of significant amounts of drugs at the site of action without unwanted high systemic concentration and resultant side effects. The efficiency of such a topical therapy depends on the quantity of inhaled drugs deposited in the lungs and, for some drugs, on the proportion retained in specific parts of the lungs.The objective of this study was to define and to compare quantitative (dose deposited) and qualitative (regional distribution) deposition of an aerosol in the equine lungs, using either an ultrasonic nebuliser (UN) currently used in human medicine or a high pressure jet nebuliser (JN) especially developed for the equine species. This comparison was possible owing to gamma‐scintigraphy, a noninvasive technique ideally suited to give information about both total and regional deposition of inhaled drugs in the respiratory tract.The quantitative study did not point out any difference between the 2 systems concerning the activity released from the nebuliser proportionally to the initial loaded dose (mean ± s.d. 45.95 ± 4.93% for the UN vs. 46.47 ± 8.49% for the JN). By contrast, the percentage of the dose released reaching the lungs was significantly lower with the UN compared to the JN (5.09 ± 0.66% vs. 7.35 ± 1.96 %). The qualitative analysis did not show any significant difference in size of aerosol deposition image between the 2 nebulisers. However peripheral deposition was significantly higher with JN compared to UN.In conclusion, both nebulisers may be used for aerosol therapy in the equine species. The ultrasonic and pneumatic nebulisation achieved drug deposition in the peripheral part of the lungs (i.e. small airways and lung parenchyma).
Bacterial endocarditis in horses: ten cases (1984–1995)
Authors: MAXSON ABBY D. , REEF VIRGINIA B. 
Published: April 2010

SummaryA retrospective study of 10 horses with bacterial endocarditis was performed in order to describe the echocardiography findings in horses with bacterial endocarditis, in conjunction with clinical signs andpost mortemfindings, and to evaluate the usefulness of echocardiography in the diagnosis of bacterial endocarditis and the formulation of a prognosis. Echocardiographic andpost mortemexaminations were performed in 7 horses.Post mortemexamination alone was performed in 2 horses and echocardiographic examination alone performed in one horse.No breed or sex predilection was obvious. Mean age ± s.d. was 2.12 ± 3.32 years. Predominant clinical signs and abnormal clinical pathology data were fever, cardiac murmur, tachycardia, tachypnoea, hyperfibrinogenaemia, anaemia and leucocytosis.Pasteurella/Actinobacillusspp. andStreptococcusspp. were most commonly cultured. Vegetative lesions were found most frequently on the mitral valve and secondarily on the aortic valve. The location and number of lesions identified with echocardiography in the horses accurately described the lesions found onpost mortemexamination.Medical treatment was attempted in 50% of the horses. Serial echocardiography was used to assess the response to treatment in 2 horses. All horses with vegetative lesions of the mitral and/or aortic valve died or were subjected to euthanasia due to the severity of their cardiac disease. Both horses with tricuspid valve endocarditis were cured of the infection; one horse returned to racing after antimicrobial therapy and the other was subjected to euthanasia due to severe laminitis.