Progress 08/01/07 to 07/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Background: Sepsis is an important cause for neonatal foal mortality. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) responses to sepsis are well documented in critically ill humans, but limited data exist in foals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the HPAA response to sepsis in foals, and to associate these endocrine changes with survival. hyposthesis: Blood concentrations of arginine vasopressin (AVP), adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH), and cortisol will be higher in septic foals as compared with sick nonseptic and healthy foals. The magnitude of increase in hormone concentration will be negatively associated with survival. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Toribio is on faculty in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at Ohio State. TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Animals: Fifty-one septic, 29 sick nonseptic, and 31 healthy foals of <= 7 days of age were included. Methods: Blood was collected at admission for analysis. Foals with positive blood culture or sepsis score >= 14 were considered septic. Foals admitted with disease other than sepsis and healthy foals were used as controls. AVP, ACTH, and cortisol concentrations were measured using validated immunoassays. Results: AVP, ACTH, and cortisol concentrations were increased in septic foals. Septic nonsurvivor foals (n = 26/51) had higher plasma ACTH and AVP concentrations than did survivors (n = 25/51). Some septic foals had normal or low cortisol concentrations despite increased ACTH, suggesting relative adrenal insufficiency. AVP, ACTH, and cortisol concentrations were higher in sick nonseptic foals compared with healthy foals. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Increased plasma AVP and ACTH concentrations in septic foals were associated with mortality. Several septic foals had increased AVP : ACTH and ACTH : cortisol ratios, which indicates relative adenohypophyseal and adrenal insufficiency.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Sepsis is the number one cause of foal mortality. Limited information is available on pathogenesis of sepsis in foals, and except for isolated hormones, the endocrine response of the septic foal remains unknown. We believe that dysfunction of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (brain-adrenal axis), as well as cardiovascular/metabolic endocrine dysregulation are frequent in septic foals. Thus, the overall goal of this study is to assess stress-related hormones (adrenocorticotrophin-ACTH, cortisol) and vasoactive peptides in critically ill septic foals admitted to the OSU Equine Hospital and Hagyard Equine Institute (Lexington, KY). 1.To measure AVP, ACTH, and cortisol concentrations in neonatal foals with sepsis, foals that are sick, but not septic, and healthy controls. 2.To determine the association between these hormones and clinical and laboratorial findings 3.To determine the association between these hormones and survival. We have collected blood samples from 51 septic, 30 sick non-septic foals, and 20 healthy foals. We determined plasma AVP and ACTH were elevated in septic foals and that these hormones were associated with survival. Foals with higher AVP and ACTH concentrations were more likely to die. Sick foals had elevated cortisol concentrations, but we could not demonstrate an association between cortisol and survival. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Ramiro Toribio is an assistant professor in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. He specializes in equine endocrinology. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Despite the importance of neonatal sepsis to the equine industry, limited information on the hormonal response of these foals is available. Information from this study will have immediate clinical application as specific hormonal therapies can be implemented in foals with severe sepsis and hypotension. Foals with sepsis have hormonal dysregulation (AVP, ACTH) that is associated with mortality. Results from this research have important clinical implications to improve foal medical care.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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