ABSTRACT:
Pulmonary disorders are common in horses, and treatment efficiency depends on an adequate diagnosis. Amyloid A is the most sensitive indicator of pathology in horses. The objective of this study was to establish the concentration of amyloid A of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in healthy horses. Health condition of horses was considered normal based on physical examination, complete blood count, biochemical parameters, and BALF cytology. Blood and BALF were collected from thirty adult female horses. Amyloid A concentrations in serum and BALF were measured using commercial ELISA tests. Amyloid A was detected in serum (mean ± SD = 3.71±2.51) and BALF (mean ± SD = 0.000745±0.000785) of all horses. In conclusion, SAA can also be measured in bronchoalveolar fluid, affording early detection of respiratory infections or inflammatory conditions.
INDEX TERMS:
ELISA; amyloid A; bronchoalveolar lavage; serum; healthy horses; acute phase protein; biomarker; lung; inflammation; horses