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Lo Feudo CM, Stucchi L, Bazzocchi C, Consiglio AL, Comazzi S, Cozzi MC, Gusmara C, Gaspari G, Cialini C, Bizzotto D, Dellacà R, Ferrucci F. Cytokine mRNA expression in the bronchoalveolar lavage cells from horses affected by different equine asthma subtypes. J Equine Vet Sci 2024; 135:105033. [PMID: 38423374 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Equine asthma (EA) is a respiratory syndrome associated with the increase of different leukocyte populations in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Its pathogenetic mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between the mRNA expression of different cytokines in the BALF, different EA subtypes and lung function. Fifteen horses underwent physical examination, airway endoscopy, BALF cytology and lung function testing (8/15). One horse did not have evidence of EA and was used as healthy reference, while the others were classified as affected by neutrophilic or mixed granulocytic EA. Cells isolated from the residual BALF were used for IL-1β, IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-17A genes expression by quantitative RT-PCR., Cytokine expression was compared between groups, and their correlations with BALF leukocyte and lung function were evaluated. IL-1β expression was positively correlated with BALF neutrophils count (p=0.038, r=0.56) and with increased expiratory resistance (p=0.047, r=0.76). IFN-γ was correlated with BALF mast cells (p=0.029, r=0.58). IL-4 was higher in horses with mixed granulocytic EA than neutrophilic (p=0.008), positively correlated with BALF mast cells (p=0.028, r=0.59) and inversely with whole-breath (p=0.046, r=-0.76) and expiratory reactance (p=0.003, r=-0.93). Finally, IL-17A was inversely correlated with expiratory reactance (p=0.009, r=-0.92). These results support that multiple immune responses are involved in EA pathogenesis; innate, Th2, and Th17 responses. Innate immunity appeared associated with neutrophilic inflammation, and Th2 response with increased mast cells. The role of Th1 response in EA remains questionable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Maria Lo Feudo
- Equine Sports Medicine Laboratory "Franco Tradati", Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, Lodi 26900, Italy
| | - Luca Stucchi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna 2, Sassari 07100, Italy.
| | - Chiara Bazzocchi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, Lodi 26900, Italy
| | - Anna Lange Consiglio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, Lodi 26900, Italy
| | - Stefano Comazzi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, Lodi 26900, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Cozzi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, Lodi 26900, Italy
| | - Claudia Gusmara
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, Lodi 26900, Italy
| | - Giulia Gaspari
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, Lodi 26900, Italy
| | - Chiara Cialini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, Lodi 26900, Italy
| | - Davide Bizzotto
- TechRes Lab, Department of Electronics, Information and Biomedical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Via Giuseppe Colombo 40, Milano 20133, Italy
| | - Raffaele Dellacà
- TechRes Lab, Department of Electronics, Information and Biomedical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Via Giuseppe Colombo 40, Milano 20133, Italy
| | - Francesco Ferrucci
- Equine Sports Medicine Laboratory "Franco Tradati", Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, Lodi 26900, Italy
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Lo Feudo CM, Stucchi L, Bizzotto D, Dellacà R, Lavoie JP, Ferrucci F. Respiratory oscillometry testing in relation to exercise in healthy and asthmatic Thoroughbreds. Equine Vet J 2024. [PMID: 38247256 DOI: 10.1111/evj.14065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Racehorses may experience exercise-induced bronchodilation or bronchoconstriction, with potential differences between healthy and asthmatic individuals. OBJECTIVES To identify exercise-related lung function variations by oscillometry in racehorses, compare lung function between healthy and mild equine asthma (MEA) horses, assess oscillometry's potential as a predictor of racing fitness. STUDY DESIGN Prospective case-control clinical study. METHODS Fourteen Thoroughbred racehorses (5 healthy, 9 MEA) underwent a protocol including respiratory oscillometry at rest, exercise with fitness monitoring, oscillometry at 15 and 45 min post-exercise, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALf) cytology. Oscillometry parameters (resistance [Rrs] and reactance [Xrs]) were compared within and between healthy and MEA groups at different timepoints. Associations between Rrs and Xrs at rest and 15 min post-exercise and BALf cytology and fitness indices were evaluated. RESULTS MEA horses showed higher Rrs at 15 min post-exercise (0.6 ± 0.2 cmH2 O/L/s) than healthy horses (0.3 ± 0.1 cmH2 O/L/s) (p < 0.01). In healthy horses, Rrs decreased at 15 min post-exercise compared with resting values (0.5 ± 0.1 cmH2 O/L/s) (p = 0.04). In MEA horses, oscillometry parameters did not vary with time. Post-exercise Xrs inversely correlated with total haemosiderin score (p < 0.01, r2 = 0.51). Resting Rrs inversely correlated with speed at 200 bpm (p = 0.03, r2 = -0.61), and Xrs with maximum heart rate (HR) during exercise (p = 0.02, r2 = -0.62). Post-exercise Rrs inversely correlated with mean (p = 0.04, r2 = -0.60) and maximum speed (p = 0.04, r2 = -0.60), and HR variability (p < 0.01, r2 = -0.74). MAIN LIMITATIONS Small sample size, oscillometry repeatability not assessed, potential interference of upper airway obstructions, external variables influencing fitness indices. CONCLUSIONS Oscillometry identified lung function differences between healthy and MEA horses at 15 min post-exercise. Only healthy horses exhibited exercise-induced bronchodilation. Oscillometry showed potential in predicting subclinical airway obstruction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Maria Lo Feudo
- Equine Sports Medicine Laboratory "Franco Tradati", Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Lodi, Italy
| | - Luca Stucchi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Davide Bizzotto
- TechRes Lab, Department of Electronics, Information and Biomedical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Raffaele Dellacà
- TechRes Lab, Department of Electronics, Information and Biomedical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Jean-Pierre Lavoie
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
| | - Francesco Ferrucci
- Equine Sports Medicine Laboratory "Franco Tradati", Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Lodi, Italy
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Simões J, Tilley P. Decision Making in Severe Equine Asthma-Diagnosis and Monitoring. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3872. [PMID: 38136909 PMCID: PMC10740644 DOI: 10.3390/ani13243872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Decision making consists of gathering quality data in order to correctly assess a situation and determine the best course of action. This process is a fundamental part of medicine and is what enables practitioners to accurately diagnose diseases and select appropriate treatment protocols. Despite severe equine asthma (SEA) being a highly prevalent lower respiratory disease amongst equids, clinicians still struggle with the optimization of routine diagnostic procedures. The use of several ancillary diagnostic tests has been reported for disease identification and monitoring, but many are only suitable for research purposes or lack practicality for everyday use. The aim of this paper is to assist the equine veterinarian in the process of decision making associated with managing SEA-affected patients. This review will focus on disease diagnosis and monitoring, while also presenting a flow-chart which includes the basic data that the clinician must obtain in order to accurately identify severely asthmatic horses in their everyday routine practice. It is important to note that European and American board-certified specialists on equine internal medicine can provide assistance in the diagnosis and treatment plan of SEA-affected horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Simões
- Equine Health and Welfare Academic Division, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal
- CIISA-Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal;
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4Animals), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Paula Tilley
- CIISA-Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal;
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4Animals), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
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Lo Feudo CM, Stucchi L, Stancari G, Conturba B, Bozzola C, Zucca E, Ferrucci F. Evaluation of fitness parameters in relation to racing results in 245 Standardbred trotter horses submitted for poor performance examination: A retrospective study. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0293202. [PMID: 37856522 PMCID: PMC10586626 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
In racehorses, the associations between physiological parameters obtained by exercise testing and racing results have been questioned. We hypothesized that fitness variables measured during a treadmill incremental test may be related with racing outcomes and lifetime career. Our study aimed to investigate the role of fitness parameters obtained during a treadmill test in performance evaluation and career prediction in poorly performing Standardbreds, through a retrospective review of the clinical records of 245 trotters that underwent an incremental treadmill test. Several fitness parameters were assessed, and their correlations with racing data (number of starts, wins and placings) in the 3 months before and 6 months after examination were evaluated; moreover their associations and predictive power for lifetime racing results and earnings were considered. The associations between fitness parameters and measures of racing performance as well as the associations between racing results over time were evaluated by Spearman's correlation in the whole population and in different age groups. Multivariate regression models predicting the total number of starts, wins and earnings based on fitness parameters were constructed, controlling for age, weight, and sex. Maximum speed and the speed at the aerobic threshold were the parameters correlated with the most racing results, in the three evaluation periods (3 months before, 6 months after, lifetime). Other parameters predictive of career outcomes were maximum blood lactate concentration and maximum hematocrit. Interestingly, in 2-year-old Standardbreds, the only parameters correlated with racing results were maximum hematocrit and minimum pH, suggesting they may reflect individual potential. Both the racing results obtained before and after examination were predictive of lifetime career, with those following hospitalization being more strongly correlated. In conclusion, parameters obtained during treadmill tests both reflect the racing outcomes and the career potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Maria Lo Feudo
- Equine Sports Medicine Laboratory “Franco Tradati”, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Lodi, Italy
| | - Luca Stucchi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Università degli Studi di Milano, Lodi, Italy
| | - Giovanni Stancari
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Università degli Studi di Milano, Lodi, Italy
| | - Bianca Conturba
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Università degli Studi di Milano, Lodi, Italy
| | - Chiara Bozzola
- Equine Sports Medicine Laboratory “Franco Tradati”, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Lodi, Italy
| | - Enrica Zucca
- Equine Sports Medicine Laboratory “Franco Tradati”, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Lodi, Italy
| | - Francesco Ferrucci
- Equine Sports Medicine Laboratory “Franco Tradati”, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Lodi, Italy
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Lo Feudo CM, Stucchi L, Stancari G, Conturba B, Bozzola C, Zucca E, Ferrucci F. Associations between Medical Disorders and Racing Outcomes in Poorly Performing Standardbred Trotter Racehorses: A Retrospective Study. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2569. [PMID: 37627359 PMCID: PMC10451774 DOI: 10.3390/ani13162569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Poor performance in racehorses is commonly associated with subclinical diseases. This study aims to evaluate the associations between medical disorders and racing results in Standardbred trotters. The clinical records of 248 poorly performing Standardbreds were retrospectively reviewed, and their racing results were extracted from an online database, concerning the periods 3 months before and 6 months after hospitalization and the entire lifetime. Generalized linear models were used to evaluate the effects of different disorders on racing outcomes. Airway neutrophilia was associated with limiting lifetime starts and wins pre- and post-hospitalization, while mastocytosis was associated with less wins in the post-hospitalization period. Therefore, lower airway inflammation showed both short- and long-term impacts on racing performance. Severe upper airway obstructions and gastric ulcers showed associations with less placings in the post-discharge period but no long-term influence on performance. The significance of exertional rhabdomyolysis was indeterminable, yet interference with the number of starts in the post-discharge period was reported and associated with lower total career earnings. Exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage and cardiac arrhythmias were not associated with worse racing outcomes: therefore, their role in poor performance remains unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Maria Lo Feudo
- Equine Sports Medicine Laboratory “Franco Tradati”, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (C.M.L.F.)
| | - Luca Stucchi
- Equine Sports Medicine Laboratory “Franco Tradati”, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (C.M.L.F.)
| | - Giovanni Stancari
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Bianca Conturba
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Chiara Bozzola
- Equine Sports Medicine Laboratory “Franco Tradati”, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (C.M.L.F.)
| | - Enrica Zucca
- Equine Sports Medicine Laboratory “Franco Tradati”, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (C.M.L.F.)
| | - Francesco Ferrucci
- Equine Sports Medicine Laboratory “Franco Tradati”, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (C.M.L.F.)
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Lo Feudo CM, Stucchi L, Conturba B, Stancari G, Zucca E, Ferrucci F. Medical causes of poor performance and their associations with fitness in Standardbred racehorses. J Vet Intern Med 2023; 37:1514-1527. [PMID: 37148147 PMCID: PMC10365054 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Poor performance is a multifactorial syndrome of racehorses, commonly associated with subclinical disorders, which can be diagnosed by exercise testing. OBJECTIVES Describe the prevalence of medical causes of poor performance in Standardbreds unassociated with lameness, and evaluate their relationships with fitness variables measured by exercise treadmill test. ANIMALS Hospital population of 259 nonlame Standardbred trotters referred for poor performance. METHODS The horses' medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Horses underwent a diagnostic protocol including resting examination, plasma lactate concentration, treadmill test with continuous ECG and assessment of fitness variables, creatine kinase activity, treadmill endoscopy, postexercise tracheobronchoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and gastroscopy. The prevalence of different disorders was evaluated, including cardiac arrhythmias, exertional myopathies, dynamic upper airway obstructions (DUAOs), exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH), moderate equine asthma (MEA), and gastric ulcers (EGUS). The associations of these disorders with fitness variables were investigated individually and using multivariable models. RESULTS Moderate equine asthma and EGUS were the most common disorders, followed by EIPH, DUAOs, cardiac arrhythmias, and exertional myopathies. Hemosiderin score was positively correlated with BAL neutrophils, eosinophils, and mast cells; increased creatine kinase activity was associated with BAL neutrophilia, DUAOs, premature complexes, and squamous gastric disease. Treadmill velocity at a plasma lactate concentration of 4 mmol/L and at heart rate of 200 beats per minute was negatively affected by BAL neutrophilia, multiple DUAOs, exertional myopathies, and squamous gastric disease. CONCLUSIONS The multifactorial nature of poor performance was confirmed, with MEA, DUAOs, myopathies and EGUS representing the main diseases involved in fitness impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara M. Lo Feudo
- Equine Sports Medicine Laboratory “Franco Tradati”, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal SciencesUniversità degli Studi di MilanoLodiItaly
| | - Luca Stucchi
- Equine Unit, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal SciencesUniversità degli Studi di MilanoLodiItaly
| | - Bianca Conturba
- Equine Unit, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal SciencesUniversità degli Studi di MilanoLodiItaly
| | - Giovanni Stancari
- Equine Unit, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal SciencesUniversità degli Studi di MilanoLodiItaly
| | - Enrica Zucca
- Equine Sports Medicine Laboratory “Franco Tradati”, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal SciencesUniversità degli Studi di MilanoLodiItaly
| | - Francesco Ferrucci
- Equine Sports Medicine Laboratory “Franco Tradati”, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal SciencesUniversità degli Studi di MilanoLodiItaly
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