Abstract
Objectives
To measure coagulation factor VIII:coagulant (F.VIII:C) and C1-esterase inhibitor (C1-INH), hemostasis-associated acute-phase reactant proteins, and coagulation factors VII (F.VII), IX (F.IX), and X (F.X), hemostasis proteins not associated with an acute-phase response, in a select population of horses with colic and hemostasis abnormalities, and presumed to have acute-phase changes. To compare these values and other routine hemostasis test results in the horses with colic with values for a population of healthy horses. To correlate the values of known equine acute-phase reactants, F.VIII:C and fibrinogen, to those of other tests of hemostasis. To identify hemostasis-associated acute-phase reactant proteins and gain insights into the effects the acute-phase response has on hemostatic abnormalities in horses with colic syndrome.
Sample Population
54 plasma samples from horses with colic attributable to inflammatory (n = 39) or strangulating (n = 15) intestinal disorders.
Procedure
Plasma samples were evaluated for activities of F.VII, F.VIII:C, F.IX, F.X, C1-INH, antithrombin III, protein C, plasminogen, and α2-antiplasmin (α2AP); fibrinogen concentration; and prothrombin (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin (APTT) times.
Results
Horses with colic had significantly higher fibrinogen concentration, greater α2AP and protein C activities, and longer PT and APTT than did healthy horses. Horses with colic also had significantly lower mean F.VII activity than did healthy horses. Significant positive correlations between fibrinogen concentration and F.VIII:C, C1-INH, and α2AP values, and between F.VIII:C activity and fibrinogen, C1-INH, α2AP, and plasminogen values were identified.
Conclusions
An acute-phase response contributes to changes observed in coagulation proteins in horses with colic attributable to inflammatory and strangulating intestinal disorders. The data suggest that plasminogen, α2AP, and C1-INH should be considered equine acute-phase proteins. (Am J Vet Res 1998;59:542–545)
