Progress 08/01/07 to 07/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Disorders of calcium regulation are frequently found in humans with critical illness, yet limited information exists in foals with similar conditions including septicemia. The purpose of this study was to determine whether disorders of calcium exist in septic foals, and to determine any association with survival. Blood concentrations of ionized calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+) will be lower in septic foals with concomitant increases in parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitonin (CT), and parathyroid-related peptide (PTHrP) compared with healthy foals. The magnitude of these differences will be negatively associated with survival. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Eighty-two septic, 40 sick nonseptic, and 24 healthy foals of <= 7 days were included. Prospective, observational study. Blood was collected at initial examination for analysis. Foals with positive blood culture or sepsis score >= 14 were considered septic. Foals with disease other than sepsis and healthy foals were used as controls. Hormone concentrations were measured with validated immunoassays. Septic foals had decreased Ca2+ (5.6 versus 6.1 mg/dL, P < .01) and increased serum PTH (16.2 versus 3.2 pmol/L, P < .05), and phosphorus concentrations (7.1 versus 6.3 mg/dL, P < .01). No differences in serum Mg2+, PTHrP, and CT concentrations were found. Nonsurviving septic foals (n = 42/82) had higher PTH concentrations (41.1 versus 10.7 pmol/L, P < .01) than survivors (n = 40/82). Septic foals were more likely to have disorders of calcium regulation compared with healthy foals, where hyperparathyroidemia was associated with nonsurvival
Publications
- Hurcombe SD, Toribio RE, Slovis NM, Saville WJ, Mudge MC, Macgillivray K, Frazer ML. Calcium regulating hormones and serum calcium and magnesium concentrations in septic and critically ill foals and their association with survival. J Vet Intern Med. 2009; 23:335-343.
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Sepsis is the number one cause of foal mortality. Hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia are frequent findings in critically ill horses that have been associated with mortality. Preliminary work from our laboratory indicates that hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia may be frequent in septic foals. Hypocalcemia in foals results in ileus, seizures, dyspnea, tetany, tremors, cardiac arrhythmias, and death. Abnormal concentrations of calcium-regulating hormones have been associated with sepsis in adult horses and other species. There is no information on the prevalence of hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia in foals, or whether abnormal concentrations of calcium, magnesium, or their regulating hormones are associated with foal survival. The goals of this study are: 1) to determine the serum ionized calcium and ionized magnesium concentrations in septic foals, 2) To determine the blood concentrations of the calcium-regulating hormones parathyroid hormone (PTH), parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP), calcitonin (CT), and procalcitonin (PCT), 3) to determine the association of these variables with severity of sepsis and foal mortality. For the year 2007 we have made important progress in sample collection and processing. We have collected blood samples from 47 septic foals (target=100 foals), 16 sick non-septic (target = 30 foals), and 10 healthy foals (target = 20 foals). Preliminary analysis indicates that hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia occur in foals with severe sepsis. Blood concentrations of calcium-regulating hormones are variable and a conclusion cannot be reached until additional samples from septic foals (2008 foaling season) are collected, processed, and analyzed. Initial results indicate that there are abnormal PTH concentrations in foals with more severe disease. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Ramiro Toribio is an assistant professor in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. His specialy is equine endocrinology. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Low blood calcium (hypocalcemia) and magnesium (hypomagnesemia) in adult horses have been associated with neurological, muscular, gastrointestinal, and heart problems. We believe that similar pathological processes occur in foals and appropriate therapeutic intervention may improve survival.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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