Hieronim Borowicz

Prevalence study in horses infected by Gasterophilus sp. in an eastern region of Poland.

A survey to determine current prevalence of Gasterophilus spp. (bot flies) in equids (n=400) at necropsy in slaughtered horses was conducted at the abattoir in Rawicz. The evaluation was performed according to sex, age, larval stages, severity of infestation and localization, respectively. Only Gasterophilus intestinalis and Gasterophilus nasalis were detected. The prevalence determined in the eastern part of Poland was of 47%. The high prevalence of this parasite infection in the Polish horse population confirms that Gasterophilosis spp. has to be taken into serious consideration and prophylactic measures might be indicated.

The Effect of Different Types of Musculoskeletal Injuries on Blood Concentration of Serum Amyloid A in Thoroughbred Racehorses

Background Training-induced muscle, skeletal and joint trauma may result in acute phase response reflected by the changes in the blood concentration of serum amyloid A (SAA) in racehorses. It remains yet unclear if such systemic reaction could be triggered by sport injuries and what is the impact of different types of musculoskeletal trauma on SAA concentrations in racehorses. This study aimed to determine changes in the SAA blood concentration in racehorses with different types of injuries of musculoskeletal system. Materials and Methods The study involved 28 racehorses diagnosed after the race with bone fractures (n = 7), dorsal metacarpal disease (n = 11), joint trauma (n = 4) or tendon and muscle trauma (n = 6) and 28 healthy control racehorses. Serum samples were collected twice, between 1 and 4 days of the injury or succesful completion of the race. SAA concentration was measured using the commercial ELISA kit. Differences between mean SAA concentration in respective groups were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc test. Results Mean SAA concentration within the first 4 days of the injury of muscle and tendon was significantly higher than in bone fractures, dorsal metacarpal disease, joint trauma or in the healthy horses (p<0,001). There were no significant differences between the other groups. Conclusions Strain injuries of muscle and tendons can cause a moderate increase in SAA blood concentration in racehorses, reflecting the occurrence of the acute phase response. Similar reaction is not observed in the stress-related bone injuries.

Effect of antigen challenge on dynamics of CD62P and CD41/61 expression on platelets in horses with recurrent airway obstruction (RAO)

Recurrent airway obstruction (RAO), also known as heaves, is an allergic respiratory condition that develops in horses following an exposure to aeroallergens in hay and straw. This is manifested by airway hyperreactivity, inflammation, bronchoconstriction, as well as a leukocyte and platelet infiltration into the airways. Platelet activation and an increase in circulating platelet-leukocyte aggregates may lead to airway remodeling. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of seven-day antigen challenge on dynamics of platelet indices and CD41/61 and CD62 P expression on platelets in horses with RAO. Ten RAO-affected horses and ten healthy horses were included in this study. All horses were exposed to 7 days hay and straw challenge. Blood samples were collected prior to the challenge (Pre-challenge) and 1, 2, 3, 7 and 14 days after the initiating the antigen challenge. Blood samples were obtained to determine the platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet large cell ratio (P-LCR). Expression of CD62 P and CD41/61 was detected by flow cytometry on activated platelets. Antigen challenge resulted in a significant gradual decrease of PLT in RAO horses, but not in controls. MPV and P-LCR in control and RAO-affected horses remained unchanged after antigen challenge. The expression of CD62 P and CD41/61 in RAO horses was significantly higher compared to control horses. The antigen challenge resulted in an increase expression of CD62 P and CD41/61 on the platelets of RAO-affected horses, while did not lead to significant changes in the control group. An increased expression of CD62 P and CD41/61 indicates platelet activation what may contribute to the formation of platelet aggregates in their respiratory system.

The detection of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin in horse serum following long-term local administration

BackgroundCapsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin are alkaloids with analgesic effects in humans and animals. When used locally, both of them minimalise pain sensation by defunctionalising nerve endings. According to the Federation Equestrian International Prohibited Substances List, these are substance banned in horse competitions. The aim of the study was to determine the detection time of capsaicin in both plasma and serum after long-term use of a gel recommended for commercial use and applied as intended. The objective of the study was to select the best material for the detection of capsaicin as a doping substance in horses.MethodsNine healthy mature horses were administered 0.1% capsaicin topically in the form of a commercial analgesic gel (15 g of the gel per limb) to the front limbs every 24 hours for five days with a polar fleece bandage. Blood serum and plasma were collected prior to gel application and in the 12th, 18th, 24th, 36th, 42nd, 48th, 60th, 84th, 108th, 132nd, 156th hour after the gel application. Qualitative and quantitative analysis was performed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS).ResultsThe concentration of capsaicin in the serum samples did not exceed the lower limit of quantification. Capsaicin was not detected in the plasma samples during the entire study period. Dihydrocapsaicin was not detected in blood serum or plasma.ConclusionThe presented results suggest that capsaicin is not detected in horse serum in the 24-hour-periodfollowing its last application according to the dosage regimen used by owners and veterinarians for therapy rather than doping, based on a five day gel application and a polar bandage.

Right dorsal colon ultrasonography in normal adult ponies and miniature horses

The aim of this study was to determine the normal location, wall thickness and motility of the right dorsal colon in adult ponies and miniature horses. The abdominal ultrasonography examination was performed in a study group consisting of 23 ponies and miniature horses and in a control group comprising ten Thoroughbred horses. The procedure was performed in unsedated standing animals. The location and the thickness of the right dorsal colonic wall was examined on the right side of the abdomen between the 10th and the 14th intercostal space. The contractility was recorded in the 12th intercostal space. A comparative analysis between the study group and control group was carried out using the Student’s t-test. Pearson’s linear correlation coefficient was used to calculate the correlation between the thickness of the colonic wall as well as the number of peristaltic movements and age, wither height and body mass of the animals. The right dorsal colon was identified in all the horses in the 12th intercostal space. In all the intercostal spaces the mean ± standard deviation (SD) wall thickness of the right dorsal colon was 0.27 ± 0.03 cm in the horses from the study group and 0.37 ± 0.03 cm in the control horses. The mean number of peristaltic contractions was 4.05 ± 1.07 per minute in the animals from the study group and 1.7 ± 0.46 contractions per minute in the control group. The values of the ultrasonographic wall thickness and peristaltic motility in small breed horses in the present study were different from the values obtained for large breed horses. The study also found that the right dorsal colon in small breed horses is physiologically located in the 12th intercostal space. This suggests that different reference values should be used in small horse breeds when performing an ultrasound examination.

Searching for ivermectin resistance in a Strongylidae population of horses stabled in Poland

BackgroundThere are no available studies describing the possible resistance of strongyles to ivermectin in horses in Poland. One hundred seventy three horses from nine stud farms from South-Western Poland were studied. The effectiveness of ivermectin was studied on the 14th day after ivermectin administration using the fecal egg count reduction test, and a long-term observation of the egg reappearance period was carried out. The fecal study was carried out using a modified McMaster method, which typically detects 20 eggs per gram of stool. The results were subjected to statistical analysis that enabled quantification of the eggs in the stool samples.ResultsThe study revealed high efficacy of ivermectin on the 14th day after administration without a shortening of the egg reappearance period.ConclusionThe results indicate that strongyles resistance to ivermectin in Poland is not a serious problem.