Occurrence of gastric ulcers and serum gastrin levels in jumping horses / Ocorrência de úlceras gástricas e níveis séricos de gastrina em cavalos de hipismo

The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of EGUS and to quantify serum gastrin levels in jumping horses during competition season and interseason period. Forty jumping horses, competing at high level were randomly allocated into two groups, the Training Group: twenty jumping horses undergoing intense training and participating in competitions, and the Rest Group: twenty jumping horses in the interseason (resting period). The gastroscopic examinations and blood samples of the horses in the training group were performed 1-2 days following the competition while in the horses of the rest group, following 4 weeks of rest. The serum gastrin levels were measured at two different times: pre-feeding and two hours after feeding the horses (postprandial) by ELISA kit. Gastric lesion score data were compared by the Mann-Whitney U test (α= 0.05) and the mean gastrin values were compared between the groups and between the two moments by the paired tet tests, respectively (α= 0, 05). Squamous gastric ulcers were detected in 42.5% of all jumping horses examined independent of the period, competition season or interseason. Serum gastrin levels were significantly higher in the Training Group with no difference between pre-feeding and postprandial values.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a ocorrência de EGUS e quantificar os níveis séricos de gastrina em cavalos de hipismo durante a época de competições e o período de férias. Quarenta cavalos de hipismo de alta performance foram aleatoriamente distribuídos em dois grupos, grupo treinamento: vinte cavalos de hipismo submetidos a treinamento intenso e participando de competições, e grupo descanso: vinte cavalos de hipismo em férias (período de descanso). As avaliações gastroscópicas e as coletas de sangue dos cavalos em treinamento foram realizadas um ou dois dias após as competições, enquanto nos cavalos do grupo descanso foram realizadas após quatro semanas de repouso. Os níveis séricos de gastrina foram mensurados por kit de ELISA, em dois momentos: antes da alimentação e duas horas após. Os dados de escore das lesões gástricas foram comparados pela prova U de Mann-Whitney (α= 0,05) e os valores médios de gastrina foram comparados entre os grupos e entre os dois momentos pelos testes t e t pareado, respectivamente (α= 0,05). Foram encontradas úlceras gástricas em 42,5% de todos os cavalos examinados, independentemente do período de competições ou repouso. Os níveis séricos de gastrina foram significativamente maiores no grupo treinamento, sem diferença entre os períodos pré e pós-alimentação.(AU)

Synovial fluid chondroitin sulphate indicates abnormal joint metabolism in asymptomatic osteochondritic horses.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Alternative methods to evaluate the joint condition in asymptomatic osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) and other joint diseases may be useful. OBJECTIVES: To investigate possible changes in synovial fluid composition that may lead to joint conditions in asymptomatic OCD, in mature horses. METHODS: Animals aged >2 years, of different breeds, with OCD in the intermediate ridge of distal tibia, symptomatic or not, were studied. Synovial fluid samples (10 healthy; 11 asymptomatic OCD; 25 symptomatic OCD) were collected by arthroscopy from 29 horses. Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) were analysed by a combination of agarose gel electrophoresis and enzymatic degradation with specific GAG lyases. The viscosity, white blood cell (WBC) count, protein concentration and hyaluronic acid (HA) molecular weight were also determined. RESULTS: The method used here to analyse synovial fluid GAGs is reliable, reproducible and specific. The main synovial fluid GAGs are HA and chondroitin sulphate (CS), 93% and 7% respectively in normal horses. In symptomatic OCD, the concentrations of both increased (expressed as GAG/urea ratios), but CS increased more. The CS increased also in asymptomatic OCD. An inflammatory reaction was suggested by the increased WBC counts in OCD. The molecular weight of the synovial fluid HA was reduced in OCD, explaining the lower viscosity observed. CONCLUSIONS: The increased CS in synovial fluid of OCD joints in mature horses suggests that the synovial fluid CS and the WBC count are good markers of the joint conditions, allowing the identification of pathological phase in joint diseases. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: The analysis of synovial fluid GAGs shows that cartilage damage occurs even in asymptomatic OCD, implying that arthroscopic removal of osteochondral fragments should be performed even in asymptomatic OCD.

Toracoscopia aplicada à ressecção de fragmento pulmonar com o auxílio de sutura mecânica em eqüinos / Thoracoscopy for resection of lung fragment in horses with the aid of mechanical suturing

Este trabalho visou à ressecção de fragmento dorsocaudal do lobo pulmonar caudal esquerdo com o auxílio de sutura mecânica por via toracoscópica. Foram utilizados 10 eqüinos clinicamente sadios, os quais foram sedados e mantidos em estação. O procedimento foi realizado no hemitórax esquerdo, por três acessos previamente programados: o primeiro acesso foi no 12º espaço intercostal (EIC), o segundo no 14º, 15º ou 16º EIC e o terceiro no 14º ou 15º EIC, conforme a necessidade de posicionamento dos instrumentos. Em todos os animais foi possível controlar o pneumotórax, sendo observada evolução clínica satisfatória durante o período pós-operatório, exceto em um animal. Os resultados obtidos indicam que, por meio da videotoracoscopia, pode-se realizar ressecção pulmonar parcial com uso de sutura mecânica em eqüinos e seu emprego na rotina hospitalar poderá contribuir para melhor compreensão e controle de enfermidades sediadas na cavidade torácica.

In this study, a dorsocaudal portion resection of the left caudal lung lobe was performed using an endoscopic stapler by thoracoscopic procedure. Ten healthy horses, eight males and two females were evaluated by clinical examination and submitted to the surgical procedure. The animals were sedated and maintained in standing position. The procedure was done in the left hemitorax using three access previously studied: the first portal was done at the 12th intercostal space (IS); the second one at the 14th, 15th, or 16th IS; and the third one at the 14th or 15th IS, in accordance with the necessity of positioning the instruments. The employed surgical technique seemed to be adequate in all animals, since it helped controlling the existing pneumothorax; furthermore, clinical recovery during the postoperative period was satisfactory, except for one animal. These results suggest that thoracoscopic may successfully be employed for partial lung resection in horses, using endoscopic staplers, and its practical use may contribute to the knowledge and resolution of thoracic diseases.

Risk factors and outcome for nosocomial breakthrough candidaemia.

OBJECTIVES: To describe all cases of nosocomial candidaemia that occurred in patients in use of anti-fungals. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study (1995-2003). Breakthrough candidaemia was defined as the occurrence of candidaemia in a patient receiving at least 3 days of systemic anti-fungal therapy. Patients with breakthrough candidaemia were compared to patients with non-breakthrough candidaemia. RESULTS: During the period of study, 20 patients had breakthrough candidaemia, and 40% of them had cancer. While most of these episodes occurred with amphotericin B, some patients received low-dose regimens of fluconazole or ketoconazole in association with ranitidine. Non-Candida albicans species caused 75% of these infections, mainly Candida parapsilosis (30%). When compared to controls (n=171), the breakthrough group had more frequently mucositis, longer stay in the intensive care unit, and longer periods of hyperalimentation, mechanical ventilation, urinary catheter and broad-spectrum antibiotics. Candida isolation from sites other than blood occurred more frequently in the breakthrough group. Mortality rate and Candida species distribution were similar among groups. CONCLUSIONS: C. parapsilosis was the main aetiology of breakthrough candidaemia. Common risk factors included mucositis, isolation of Candida from sites other than blood, use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, and invasive medical procedures. No difference in the mortality rate was observed.

A 9-year study comparing risk factors and the outcome of paediatric and adults with nosocomial candidaemia.

Although there are numerous studies of candidaemia in adults, data on paediatrics are still limited. The aim of this study was to compare risk factors, aetiology, therapy, and the outcome of nosocomial candidaemia among paediatric and adult patients in a large Brazilian tertiary hospital (1995-2003). During this period, 78 paediatrics and 113 adults were studied. Species other than Candida albicans caused 78.2% of episodes of candidaemia in paediatrics. Compared to adults, paediatrics received more frequently broad-spectrum antibiotics, vasopressors, blood transfusions, arterial catheter, chest tube, cardiothoracic surgery, mechanical ventilation, and parenteral nutrition. Candidaemia caused by Candida parapsilosis was more common in paediatrics, as was the isolation of Candida spp. from catheters. Amphotericin B treatment was more common in paediatrics. Mortality rate was higher in adults than in paediatrics with nosocomial candidaemia. We reinforce the necessity of continuous epidemiologic surveillance to follow the dynamics of candidaemia.

A comparative study of risk factors and outcome among outpatient-acquired and nosocomial candidaemia.

Candidaemia is perceived as a nosocomial infection. The aim of this study was to describe all cases of candidaemia that occurred in the outpatient setting, and to compare risk factors and outcome among patients with outpatient-acquired and nosocomial candidaemia. During 1995 and 2003, 210 patients developed candidaemia at our institution, and 9.0% were outpatient acquired. Major underlying diseases were cancer (47.4%) and chronic renal failure (36.8%). Most occurred within 24 h of hospitalization (63.2%), and 83.7% were caused by species other than Candida albicans, mainly Candida parapsilosis (36.8%). Candida spp. were isolated from catheters in 21% of cases, and 52.6% of patients had been admitted to hospital in the 60 days preceding candidaemia. Compared with patients with nosocomial candidaemia, chronic renal failure was more frequent in the outpatient group, who were also more commonly exposed to haemodialysis. Ileus, gastrointestinal bleeding, previous bacteraemia, use of proton pump inhibitors, previous stay in the intensive care unit and requirement for antibiotics, blood transfusion, vasopressors and invasive medical procedures were more frequent in the nosocomial group. Overall mortality was high in both groups. Candidaemia must be considered as a potential cause of sepsis in the community, and it is associated with a high mortality rate.