Acute-phase protein concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from healthy horses / Proteínas de fase aguda do lavado broncoalveolar de equinos hígidos

Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was analyzed to obtain information on leakage of acute-phase proteins from the blood into the respiratory lumen and about local synthesis. Ceruloplasmin, transferrin, albumin, α1-antitripsin, immunoglobulin G heavy, immunoglobulin G light, immunoglobulin A, haptoglobin, acidic glycoprotein, and P23 were measured in BALF from 30 horses without inflammatory disease by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). In serum, the same proteins were identified except for α1-antitrypsin. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) can be used for the determination of acute-phase proteins in BALF samples from horses. In healthy horses, the values are very low, but they can be compared with reference values to assist in the diagnosis of animals with respiratory diseases.(AU)

O líquido obtido através da lavagem broncoalveolar (LBA) foi analisado para obter informações sobre as proteínas da fase aguda. Ceruloplasmina, transferrina, albumina, α1-antitripsina, imunoglobulina G pesada, imunoglobulina G leve, imunoglobulina A, haptoglobina, glicoproteína ácida e P23 foram medidas nos LBA de 30 cavalos sem doença inflamatória por eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida com dodecilsulfato de sódio (SDS-PAGE). No soro, as mesmas proteínas foram identificadas, exceto a α1-antitripsina. Em conclusão, este estudo demonstra que a eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida (SDS-PAGE) pode ser usada para a determinação de proteínas de fase aguda em amostras de LBA em cavalos. Em cavalos saudáveis, os valores são muito baixos, no entanto, podem ser comparados e auxiliar no diagnóstico de animais com doenças respiratórias.(AU)

Are pulmonary hemostasis and fibrinolysis out of balance in equine chronic pneumopathies?

Clinical examination, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cytology, acute-phase protein, and pulmonary hemostasis and fibrinolysis marker (fibrinogen, serum amyloid A [SAA], and D-dimer) results were compared between control and respiratory disease-affected horses. Using a clinical scoring system, horses (n = 58) were classified as respiratory disease-free (Controls, n = 15) or with recurrent airway obstruction (RAO; n = 18), inflammatory airway disease (n = 14) or chronic interstitial pneumopathy (n = 11). There were no significant differences in fibrinogen concentrations among groups, but there was a trend toward a lower value in controls (median 0.0024 g/L) than in horses with chronic pneumopathies (median 0.0052 g/L), in particular, those with RAO (median 0.0062 g/L). Fibrinogen concentration was positively correlated with percentage of neutrophils in BALF (r(s) = 0.377, p = 0.004). SAA concentrations were low; 65.5% of samples were below the detection limit. D-dimer concentrations were also low and quantifiable concentrations were only obtained after ultrafiltration and only in RAO (median 0.1 mg/L). In conclusion, there was limited evidence of increased coagulatory activity in chronic pneumopathies, apart from RAO. It is uncertain whether fibrinogen and D-dimer concentrations increased due to their role as acute-phase proteins or as a misbalance of coagulation and fibrinolysis.

Análise do líquido broncoalveolar de equinos portadoresde doença inflamatória das vias aéreas / Evaluation of bronchoalveolar fluid of horses with inflammatory airway disease

Objetivou-se caracterizar o perfil citológico broncoalveoar de equinos de policiamento portadores assintomáticos deDoença Inflamatória de Vias Aéreas (DIVA). Utilizaram-se 17 equinos adultos, machos e fêmeas, com idade entre 11 e24 anos. Os animais que constituíram o grupo controle (oito) apresentaram-se normais ao exame físico, à endoscopia eà mensuração da diferença máxima de pressão intrapleural. No lavado broncoalveolar a contagem deveria ser de até 4%,0,7%, 3,3% para neutrófilos, eosinófilos e células epiteliais e entre 17,0 e 56,7%, 29 e 75,7%, 0,7 e 13,7% para linfócitos,macrófagos e mastócitos, respectivamente. O grupo considerado doente (nove animais) apresentou achados compatíveiscom afecções do trato respiratório posterior, pelo menos à endoscopia, além de uma contagem de neutrófilos maiorque 5% e menor que 25%. O quadro assintomático de doença inflamatória das vias aéreas caracterizou-se por infiltradoneutrofílico, discreta redução no número de macrófagos, aumento no número de macrófagos espumosos, discretoinfiltrado eosinofílico e aumento marcante no número de células epiteliais. Em face do caráter assintomático dessaenfermidade nos equinos de policiamento, a utilização do LBA como método de diagnóstico e acompanhamento éfundamental, pois permite reconhecer, tratar e determinar uma utilização mais racional desses animais, de modo amelhorar a qualidade de vida e prolongar a utilização dos mesmos em serviço.

The aim of this study was to characterize the cytology profile of bronchoalveolar lavage from police horses withasymptomatic Inflammatory Airway Disease (IAD). Seventeen adult horses, males and females, with ages ranging from11 to 24 years old were utilized. The control group (eight horses) presented vital signs within the physiologic range,normal pulmonary percussion and auscultation, no abnormalities at respiratory endoscopy and at the measurement ofthe maximal intra-pleural pressure difference. The cell count of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) should be up to 4%, 0.7%,3.3% to neutrophil, eosinophil and epithelial cell, and ranging of 17.0 to 56.7%, 29 to 75.7%, 0.7 to 13.7% to lymphocytes,macrophages and mast cell, respectively. The diseased group (nine animals) presented findings compatible with lowerairway disease, at least during endoscopy and showed a neutrophil counts above 5% and below 25%. AsymptomaticIAD was characterized by neutrophilic infiltrate, discrete reduction in macrophage count with increased number offoamy macrophages and discrete eosinophilic infiltrate and marked increase in the number of epithelial cells. Due to theasymptomatic character of IAD in police horses, BAL is the preferred diagnostic and follow-up method since it allowsrecognition of the disease, evaluation of treatment and helps the implementation of a graded and rational work regimethat aims at improving welfare of those animals as well as extending their usage as patrolling horses.