Editorial Type:
Clinical Pathology

Evaluation of serum amyloid A and haptoglobin concentrations as prognostic indicators for horses with inflammatory disease examined at a tertiary care hospital

Trina L. Westerman Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331.

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 DVM, MS
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Susan J. Tornquist Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331.

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Crystal M. Foster Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331.

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Keith P. Poulsen Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331.

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 DVM, PhD
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.76.10.882
Volume/Issue:
Volume 76: Issue 10
Online Publication Date:
01 Oct 2015
Restricted access
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE To evaluate use of serum amyloid A (SAA) and haptoglobin concentrations as prognostic indicators for horses with inflammatory disease in regard to euthanasia, complications, and hospitalization duration and cost.

ANIMALS 20 clinically normal horses and 53 horses with inflammatory disease.

PROCEDURES Total WBC count, neutrophil count, and fibrinogen, SAA, and haptoglobin concentrations were determined for clinically normal horses and horses with suspected inflammatory disease. Clinicopathologic values at admission were compared to test the use of SAA and haptoglobin concentrations in predicting euthanasia, complications, and hospitalization duration and cost. Haptoglobin and SAA concentrations of 22 horses were monitored during hospitalization to test the use of serial measurements in predicting survival and complications.

RESULTS Neutrophil count and SAA and haptoglobin concentrations were significantly different at admission for horses with inflammatory disease, compared with those for clinically normal horses. Horses with colitis and peritonitis had significantly higher SAA and haptoglobin concentrations than clinically normal horses. A moderate positive correlation (r = 0.355) between hospitalization duration and haptoglobin concentration was identified. Horses with an increase in SAA concentration between 24 and 72 hours after admission, compared with admission SAA concentration, were significantly more likely (OR, 7.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 45.9) to be euthanized or develop complications.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Concentrations of SAA and haptoglobin at admission were not significantly correlated with outcome in horses with inflammatory conditions. Acute-phase proteins likely have more utility in serial analysis rather than testing at a single time point for horses with inflammatory conditions.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To evaluate use of serum amyloid A (SAA) and haptoglobin concentrations as prognostic indicators for horses with inflammatory disease in regard to euthanasia, complications, and hospitalization duration and cost.

ANIMALS 20 clinically normal horses and 53 horses with inflammatory disease.

PROCEDURES Total WBC count, neutrophil count, and fibrinogen, SAA, and haptoglobin concentrations were determined for clinically normal horses and horses with suspected inflammatory disease. Clinicopathologic values at admission were compared to test the use of SAA and haptoglobin concentrations in predicting euthanasia, complications, and hospitalization duration and cost. Haptoglobin and SAA concentrations of 22 horses were monitored during hospitalization to test the use of serial measurements in predicting survival and complications.

RESULTS Neutrophil count and SAA and haptoglobin concentrations were significantly different at admission for horses with inflammatory disease, compared with those for clinically normal horses. Horses with colitis and peritonitis had significantly higher SAA and haptoglobin concentrations than clinically normal horses. A moderate positive correlation (r = 0.355) between hospitalization duration and haptoglobin concentration was identified. Horses with an increase in SAA concentration between 24 and 72 hours after admission, compared with admission SAA concentration, were significantly more likely (OR, 7.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 45.9) to be euthanized or develop complications.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Concentrations of SAA and haptoglobin at admission were not significantly correlated with outcome in horses with inflammatory conditions. Acute-phase proteins likely have more utility in serial analysis rather than testing at a single time point for horses with inflammatory conditions.

Contributor Notes

Dr. Westerman's present address is Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606.

Dr. Poulsen's present address is Department of Medical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706.

Address correspondence to Dr. Westerman (Trina.Westerman@gmail.com).
Cover American Journal of Veterinary Research
American Journal of Veterinary Research
Publication Date:
01 Oct 2015

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