Investigating the Link between Particulate Exposure and Airway Inflammation in the Horse

Self Cite

337

662

Section: Pathogenesismentioning

confidence: 99%

Inflammatory Airway Disease of Horses—Revised Consensus Statement

Couëtil

Cardwell

Gerber

et al. 2016

Self Cite

337

662

“…The exact etiology of IAD is still unknown. Several studies have demonstrated a link between IAD and a poor environment . There is also evidence that supports allergy as a contributing factor for the disease .…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Dexamethasone and Fluticasone on Airway Hyperresponsiveness in Horses With Inflammatory Airway Disease

Léguillette

Tohver

Bond

et al. 2017

BackgroundAirway hyperresponsiveness (AWHR), expressed as hypersensitivity (PC 75 RL) or hyperreactivity (slope of the histamine dose‐response curve), is a feature of inflammatory airway disease (IAD) or mild equine asthma in horses. Glucocorticoids are used empirically to treat IAD.ObjectivesTo determine whether dexamethasone (DEX) (0.05 mg/kg IM q24h) and inhaled fluticasone (FLUT) (3,000 μg q12h) administered by inhalation are effective in decreasing AWHR, lung inflammation, and clinical signs in horses with IAD.MethodsA randomized crossover study design was used. Eight horses with IAD were assigned to a treatment group with either DEX or FLUT. Measured outcomes included lung mechanics during bronchoprovocative challenges, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cytology, and scoring of clinical signs during exercise.ResultsDexamethasone and FLUT abolished the increase in RL by 75% at any histamine bronchoprovocative dose in all horses after the first week of treatment. However, after 2 weeks of FLUT treatment, 1 horse redeveloped hypersensitivity. There was a significant decrease in the number of lymphocytes after treatment with both DEX and FLUT (P = .039 for both) but no significant differences in other BALF cell types or total cell counts (P > .05). There was no difference in the scoring of the clinical signs during each treatment and washout period (P > .05).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceBoth DEX and FLUT treatments significantly inhibit airway hypersensitivity and hyperreactivity in horses with IAD. There are no significant effects on the clinical signs or the number of inflammatory cells (except lymphocytes) in BALF. The treatments have no residual effect 3 weeks after discontinuation.

“…Airborne dust in horse stables contains high concentrations of bacterial endotoxin, molds, mite debris, plant debris, and inorganic dust . Both stable workers and horses are exposed to high concentrations of these airborne irritants, which can have negative health effects .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Both stable workers and horses are exposed to high concentrations of these airborne irritants, which can have negative health effects . Type of bedding and feed in the barn significantly influences the concentration of particulate matter, endotoxin, and fungi . Based on aerodynamic particle diameter, airborne dust is divided into 3 human health‐related size fractions: “inhalable,” “thoracic,” and “respirable” dust fractions .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thoracic particles will pass through the nose and throat, reaching the lungs (nominally ≤10 µm diameter). Respirable dust particles (nominally ≤4 μm diameter) can penetrate the airways beyond the terminal bronchioles into the lower airways causing inflammation and irritation . For horses, the exact size of particles that can enter the gas‐exchange area of the lungs is currently not known.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Effect of ionization, bedding, and feeding on air quality in a horse stable

Siegers

Anthonisse

Eerdenburg

et al. 2018

BackgroundOrganic dust is associated with Equine asthma. Ionization should reduce airborne dust levels.ObjectivesTo determine the effect of ionization of air, type of bedding, and feed on the levels of airborne dust, endotoxin, and fungal colonies in horse stables.Animals24 healthy University‐owned horses occupied the stables.MethodsA randomized controlled cross‐over study. Four units with 6 stables were equipped with an ionization installation (25 VA, 5000 Volt Direct Current). Horses were kept either on wood shavings and fed haylage (2 units), or on straw and fed dry hay (2 units). Measurements were performed with and without activated ionization, during daytime and nighttime, repeatedly over the course of a week and repeatedly during 4‐6 weeks. Statistical analysis was performed using a mixed effect model with Akaike's Information Criterion for model reduction and 95% profile (log) likelihood confidence intervals (CI).ResultsIonization did not alter concentrations of dust, endotoxin, or fungi, fewer. In the units with straw and hay, the concentration of dust, endotoxin, and fungi (difference in logarithmic mean 1.92 (95%CI 1.71‐2.12); 2.86 (95%CI 2.59‐3.14); 1.75 (95%CI 1.13‐2.36)) were significantly higher compared to wood shavings and haylage.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThe installation of a negative air‐ionizer in the horse stable did not reduce concentrations of dust, endotoxin, and viable fungal spores. The substantial effect of low dust bedding and feed is confirmed.