Sandrina Vandenput

Airborne dust and aeroallergen concentrations in different sources of feed and bedding for horses

Standardized methods were used to make quantitative and qualitative assessments of respirable dust and aeroallergens in feed and bedding for horses. Concentrations of airborne dust were measured by using a Rion particle counter, and levels of major aeroallergens implicated in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were measured by using an Andersen sampler. Laboratory conditions allowed comparison of the different sources of forage, supplements, and bedding without external influences such as ventilation, external temperature and horse activity affecting the result. Grass silages of approximately 50% dry matter and alfalfa pellets appeared to be very good sources of forage with low levels of dust and aeroallergens. The studied good quality straw was significantly less dusty with fewer allergens than the wood shavings. Supplements, such as whole grains and molassed concentrates, contained many respirable particles and aeroallergens. Rolled grains were significantly more dusty than good hay.

Airway response of horses with COPD to dry powder inhalation of ipratropium bromide.

To determine the effects of the dry powder inhalation (DPI) of ipratropium bromide (ipratropium) on the airways of health horses and the dose-response curve in horses suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by means of pulmonary function tests, five healthy horses were first studied. Ipratropium (2400 micrograms ipratropium horse-1) was contained in gelatine capsules and administered using a dry powder device connected to an adapted face mask. Pulmonary function tests were recorded before inhalation and 15 and 60 min after inhalation. No modification of pulmonary function was observed. The airway response to ipratropium DPI was then determined in six horses suffering from COPD. To induce airway obstruction, the horses were bedded on straw and fed hay. When the maximal change in pleural pressure during tidal breathing exceeded 1.96 kPa, pulmonary function tests were recorded before DPI, and 15 and 60 min post-inhalation. Placebo (six capsules horse-1) or ipratropium (600, 1200 and 2400 micrograms horse-1) was administered in a randomized order to each horse using the dry powder device and the adapted face mask. Neither ipratropium nor placebo DPI affected respiratory frequency (f) or tidal volume (VT). Inhalation of 600 micrograms ipratropium horse-1 resulted in a delayed decrease of total pulmonary resistance (RL) whereas dynamic compliance (Cdyn) was improved (although not significantly) at both times of measurement when compared with values following placebo inhalation. Simultaneous decreased RL and increased Cdyn, was observed within 15 min after DPI of 1200 micrograms ipratropium horse-1 and persisted for the 1 h duration of the experiment. Doubling the dose also improved pulmonary function but not significantly more than following inhalation of 1200 micrograms ipratropium. No systemic side effects were observed in either group of horses.

Aerosol therapy in the equine species

Inhalation therapy plays an increasing role in the management of equine respiratory disorders. This alternative to systematic treatment permits a high concentration of medication to act locally while minimizing side effects and residues. In human medicine, literature in this field is prolific and continuously renewed, whereas in veterinary medicine, applications of aerosol therapy are less extensive. This review considers the principles of action of the different types of devices used for inhalation, i.e., nebulization, metered-dose inhalation and dry powder inhalation, describes the technical and practical requirements for their use in the equine species and considers the advantages and disadvantages of each inhalation device. The pharmacological agents currently administered to horses by inhalation are also discussed. Perspectives of aerosol therapy in the equine species, including aerosols already used in human medicine and their potential applications for horses are described.

Analysis of scintigraphical lung images before and after treatment of horses suffering from chronic pulmonary disease.

Scintigraphical analysis of the ratio of inhalation (i) to perfusion (Q) was designed to determine whether chronic pulmonary disease in horses induced mismatches in i/Q and to assess whether medical treatment would restore an I/Q distribution pattern identical to that of control horses. In addition, the results of the I/Q analysis were correlated with the alveolar-arterial PO2 difference (AaDO2). The I/Q matching found in a group of control horses was compared with the I/Q analysis of a group of diseased horses before and after their clinical signs had been treated. The analysis indicated that there was mismatching between I and Q before they were treated. The treatment improved the diseased horses, pulmonary function but there was still heterogeneity in the I/Q distribution after they had been treated. The i/Q analysis parameters were well correlated with the ratio of ventilation (VA) and pulmonary blood flow (Q), evaluated by the determination of AaDO2.

Scintigraphical evaluation of alveolar clearance in horses

This study proposed a standardized method for measuring alveolar epithelium membrane permeability in the horse. The normal rate of clearance (%.min-1) from lung into blood of nebulized 99mTc-DTPA has been established for healthy horses (Group A) compared with values obtained with horses suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; Group B). The 99mTc-DTPA clearance was measured in the caudoventral (R1) and in the half caudal (R2) parts of the left lung during different time intervals. The two regions aimed to define the influence of the airways on measured clearance (R2 contained proportionally more conducting airways than R1). It was concluded that a comparison of groups of subjects may be performed in R2 and on data collected during a 20 min period. The normal clearance rate in R2 was 1.80 +/- 0.46%.min-1 (T1/2R2 = 40.99 +/- 12.45 min) in Group A. In Group B, a significantly faster 99mTc-DTPA transfer rate was found (4.17 +/- 0.83%.min-1 or T1/2R2 = 17.17 +/- 3.38min). Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) suggested that the increased permeability measured in Group B could be the result of lung inflammatory responses. Our results have demonstrated the ability of the 99mTc-DTPA clearance test to detect alveolar epithelial damage in horses. Furthermore, we were able to show that a regional analysis of the alveolar-capillary barrier integrity may be performed satisfactorily in the equine patient.

Traditional plant-based remedies to control gastrointestinal disorders in livestock in the regions of Kamina and Kaniama (Katanga province, Democratic Republic of Congo)

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Gastrointestinal parasitic diseases present one of the main constraints hindering the productivity of the livestock sector (goat and cattle). Due to the limited availability and affordability of deworming drugs, traditional herbal remedies are still frequently used. The study aims at collecting traditional knowledge on local plants and remedies used to treat gastrointestinal parasitoses in livestock in two adjacent territories (Haut-Lomami district). MATERIAL AND METHODS A field survey was carried out in a part of the Haut-Lomami district (province of Katanga). A semi-structured questionnaire was used to interview 44 people including farmers, traditional healers and livestock specialists (veterinarians and agronomist), identified as using or practicing traditional medicine. To prepare botanically identified herbarium specimens, cited plants were collected with the participation of interviewed people. RESULTS Although interviewed people cannot precisely identify the etiology of gastrointestinal disorders/parasitoses in domestic animals, they treat the condition with herbals collected in their near environment. Nineteen different traditional remedies were collected and described; 9 plant species were identified as commonly used to treat gastrointestinal parasitic infections. From these, Vitex thomasii De Wild (Verbenaceae) appears as the plant most often used. CONCLUSION This survey contributed to the establishment of an inventory of plants used in livestock parasitic treatment in this region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Future studies are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of these traditional remedies.

Effect of serotonergic blockade on calf pulmonary function after the intravenous administration of 3-methylindole

This study was designed to investigate whether 3-methylindole (3-Mi), a tryptamine analogue, could cause pulmonary injury in calves other than by cytotoxicity. Injection of 3-Mi resulted in a marked increase of respiratory rate, decrease of tidal volume and increase in minute ventilation. Pulmonary mechanics values were also profoundly affected, lung dynamic compliance being reduced to approximately one-third of its baseline value and total pulmonary resistance being increased two-fold. Arterial oxygen partial pressure was dramatically reduced. Successive challenges with 3-Mi after physiological saline pretreatment resulted in quantitatively identical alterations of pulmonary function values. Conversely, all these ventilatory, mechanical and gas exchange changes were abolished by pretreatment with serotonergic antagonists. It was concluded that intravenous administration of 3-Mi to healthy calves induced immediate and reversible bronchoconstriction which affected both central and peripheral airways. Because the effect was abolished by pretreatment with antiserotonin drugs, it is suggested that 3-Mi acts either directly by stimulating serotonergic receptors or indirectly through the release of serotonin from platelets. Current concepts of the physiopathological cascade underlying the toxicity of 3-Mi should, therefore, be re-evaluated in the light of this pharmacological mechanism.

Remèdes vétérinaires traditionnels utilisés dans les élevagesdechèvres à Lubumbashi et proche périphérie, RD Congo

RésuméPeu de données sont disponibles quant aux remèdes traditionnels administrés aux animaux en République démocratique du Congo. Les objectifs de l’enquête sont le recensement des recettes utilisées par les éleveurs de chèvres à Lubumbashi (province du Katanga) et sa proche périphérie, et l’étude de l’usage qu’ils en font en fonction des symptômes présentés par leurs animaux. Une enquête semi-structurée a été menée auprès de 50 éleveurs de caprins, préalablement sélectionnés car reconnaissant utiliser des recettes traditionnelles pour soigner leurs animaux. Douze recettes ont été recensées. L’enquête montre que les éleveurs traitent la majorité des symptômes rencontrés chez leurs chèvres avec des remèdes qu’ils confectionnent euxmêmes. Néanmoins, cette approche se révèle ne pas être un choix : les éleveurs préféreraient, même s’ils reconnaissent l’utilité et l’efficacité de ces remèdes, avoir les moyens d’administrer des médicaments. Toutes les plantes utilisées sont par ailleurs citées en d’autres lieux et d’autres circonstances comme plantes médicinales.AbstractFew data are available on traditional remedies administered to animals in Democratic Republic of Congo. The aims of this study were to inventory traditional remedies used on goats in Lubumbashi (Katanga) and its peri-urban areas and to identify when these remedies are administered. A questionnaire survey was led with 50 owners of goats. Twelve traditional remedies have been identified as being used against major disease symptoms observed in goats. The present survey contributed to the inventory of traditional remedies used by goat breeders in the urban and peri-urban zone of Lubumbashi. All the used plants are already acknowledged in other places and other circumstances as healing plants.