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EQUINE VETERINARY EDUCATION / AE / MAY 2015


Cardiac troponin I and cTnT were determined in 3 groups


of horses: 35 healthy horses (group 1), 23 horses suspected to have primary myocardial damage (group 2a), and 41 horses with secondary myocardial damage caused by structural heart disease (group 2b). The samples were analysed at 3 laboratories, each of which had a different limit of detection (LOD). The LOD at the laboratory analysing the cTnI samples was 0.03 ng/ml, whereas the LODs at the 2 laboratories analysing the cTnT samples (using the same hs-cTnT assay) were 10.0 pg/ml and 4.0 pg/ml. The median cTnI concentration in group 2a (0.90 ng/ml)


was significantly higher than in group 1 (0.03 ng/ml) or group 2b (0.05 ng/ml), and the optimal cut-off for detection of primary myocardial damage was 0.095 ng/ml (sensitivity: 90.5%, specificity: 100%). Using an LOD of 10.0 pg/ml for all cTnT samples, a cut-off value of 10.5 pg/ml was found, but sensitivity was low (42.9%). The authors concluded that despite large quantitative differences, cTnI and cTnT are both useful for detection of myocardial damage in horses.


Use of scintigraphy to detect stifle disorders


In this study Sarah Graham and colleagues in the USA investigated the diagnostic sensitivity of bone scintigraphy for equine stifle disorders. The aim of this retrospective cross-sectional study was to


determine the diagnostic sensitivity of bone scintigraphy in detecting stifle disease and to determine whether 2 orthogonal scintigraphic images improve diagnostic sensitivity. Horses that had undergone scintigraphic examination during a 2-year period were divided into 2 groups: horses that had lameness that was localised to the stifle by intra-articular analgesia, and horses that had lameness localised to a different location. Scintigraphic studies (one or two images) were independently analysed by 2 radiologists and sensitivity, specificity and predictive values were calculated for each type of study and for each radiologist. Findings from this study indicated that bone-phase nuclear scintigraphy is reasonably specific but highly insensitive for detecting lameness originating from the stifle in a diverse population of both normal and affected horses. The addition of a caudal scintigraphic image acquisition did not improve diagnostic sensitivity.


Ultrasound characteristics of septic arthritis


In this retrospective study Francesca Beccati and colleagues in Italy aimed to describe the ultrasound characteristics of septic arthritis/tenosynovitis in a group of horses. In this study which included 38 horses with confirmed septic


arthritis/tenosynovitis of 43 joints/sheaths, the diagnosis of septic arthritis/tenosynovitis was based on historical and clinical findings as well as the results of the synovial fluid analysis and/or positive synovial culture. Ultrasonographic findings recorded were degree of joint/sheath effusion (81.4% marked, 16.3% mild, 2.3% absent), degree of synovial membrane thickening (30.9% mild, 69.1% moderate/severe), echogenicity of the synovial fluid (anechogenic 45.2%, echogenic 54.8%), and presence of hyperechogenic spots (32.5%) and fibrinous loculations (64.3%). Relationships between the degree of synovial effusion, degree of the synovial thickening, presence of fibrinous loculations, and the time between admission and beginning of clinical signs were identified, as well as between the presence of fibrinous loculations and the cause of sepsis.


© 2015 EVJ Ltd


The authors concluded that ultrasonographic findings of


septic arthritis/tenosynovitis may vary in horses, and may be influenced by time between admission and beginning of clinical signs.


Catastrophic biaxial fractures of the proximal sesamoid bones


In this case–control study John Peloso and colleagues in the USA compared bony changes in the metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ) of racehorses with and without biaxial proximal sesamoid bone (PSB) fracture using two grading scales and standing MRI (sMRI) images of cadaveric forelimbs. Both forelimbs from 74 Thoroughbred racehorses (21 cases


and 53 controls) subjected to euthanasia at a Florida racetrack underwent sMRI to obtain images of the MCPJ. Two grading scales were used for image evaluation; one assessed the density of the PSBs, and the other assessed the integrity of the subchondral bone (SCB) plate at the distopalmar aspect of the third metacarpal bone (McIII). The grades were compared between case and control limbs. For cases with biaxial PSB fracture, the density of the PSBs


in the affected limb was greater and the McIII of the contralateral limb was more likely to have orthopaedic disease, compared with those for controls. The authors suggested that further evaluation of sMRI as a screening tool for identification of racehorses at risk of biaxial PSB fracture is warranted.


S. WRIGHT EVE Editorial Office References


Beccati, F., Gialletti, R., Passamonti, F., Nannarone, S., Di Meo, A. and Pepe, M. (2015) Ultrasonographic findings in 38 horses with septic arthritis/tenosynovitis. Vet. Radiol. Ultrasound 56, 68–76.


Dunkel, B., Mair, T., Marr, C.M., Carnwath, J. and Bolt, D.M. (2015) Indications, complications, and outcome of horses undergoing repeated celiotomy within 14 days after the first colic surgery: 95 cases (2005-2013). J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 246, 540–546.


Dupont, S., De Spiegeleer, A., Liu, D.J.X., Lef ere, L., van Doorn, D.A.


and Hesta, M. (2015) A commercially available immunoglobulin E- based test for food allergy gives inconsistent results in healthy ponies. Equine Vet. J. Epub ahead of print DOI: 10.1111/evj.12369.


Gasiorowski, J.C. and Richardson, D.W. (2015) Clinical use of


computed tomography and surface markers to assist internal fixation within the equine hoof. Vet. Surg. 44, 214–222.


Graham, S., Solano, M., Sutherland-Smith, J., Sato, A.F. and Maranda, L. (2015) Diagnostic sensitivity of bone scintigraphy for equine stifle disorders. Vet. Radiol. Ultrasound 56, 96–102.


Peloso, J.G., Vogler, J.B. III, Cohen, N.D., Marquis, P. and Hilt, L. (2015) Association of catastrophic biaxial fracture of the proximal sesamoid bones with bony changes of the metacarpophalangeal joint identified by standing magnetic resonance imaging in cadaveric forelimbs of Thoroughbred racehorses. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 246, 661–673.


Sanz, M.G., Oliveira, A.F., Loynachan, A., Page, A., Svansson, V., Gigu


VapA-specific IgG and IgG subclass enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) to identify foals with Rhodococcus equi pneumonia. Equine Vet. J. Epub ahead of print DOI: 10.1111/ evj.12363.


Van Der Vekens, N., Decloedt, A., Ven, S., De Clercq, D. and van Loon, G. (2015) Cardiac troponin I as compared to troponin T for the detection of myocardial damage in horses. J. Vet. Intern. Med. 29, 348–354.


ere, S. and Horohov, D.W. (2015) Validation and evaluation of


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