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With the emergence of COVID-19, there is an increased focus in human literature on cytokine production, the implications of cytokine overproduction, and the development of novel cytokine-targeting therapies for use during sepsis. In addition to viral infections such as COVID-19, bacterial infections resulting in exposure to endotoxins and exotoxins in humans can also lead to sepsis, resulting in organ failure and death. Like humans, horses are exquisitely sensitive to endotoxin and are among the veterinary species that develop clinical sepsis similar to humans. These similarities suggest that horses may serve as a naturally occurring model of human sepsis. Indeed, evidence shows that both species experience cytokine dysregulation, severe neutropenia, the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps, and decreased perfusion parameters during sepsis. Sepsis treatments that target cytokines in both species include hemoperfusion therapy, steroids, antioxidants, and immunomodulation therapy. This review will present the shared cytokine physiology across humans and horses as well as historical and updated perspectives on cytokine-targeting therapy. Finally, this review will discuss the potential benefits of increased knowledge of equine cytokine mechanisms and their potential positive impact on human medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An 8‐year‐old American Quarter Horse gelding was treated with extracorporeal hemoperfusion (HP) therapy for treatment of Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) colitis‐induced systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). The gelding developed C. difficile associated peracute colitis and severe SIRS as evidenced by a positive fecal C. difficile PCR and tachypnea, tachycardia, fever, neutropenia, altered mucous membrane color, and hyperlactatemia. Concurrent acute kidney injury in the horse limited the use of routine anti‐inflammatory and anti‐lipopolysaccharide treatments, including flunixin meglumine and polymyxin B, because of potential for nephrosis. Extracorporeal HP therapy was performed twice within 48 hours of the onset of severe SIRS during which the horse's physical examination variables stabilized. The horse was euthanized after 4 days because of laminitis. These findings support further investigation of extracorporeal HP therapy as an adjunctive treatment for severe SIRS/sepsis in horses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) are pieces of DNA released from cells into body fluids. Previous studies in adult horses found that plasma cfDNA concentrations differed significantly between healthy horses and those with emergencies like colic. These studies also showed that accurate measurement of plasma cfDNA in adult horses required extraction, due to matrix effects of equine plasma. It's unclear if similar issues exist in foal plasma. In our study, we aimed to determine if foal plasma has similar interference, and if there are differences in cfDNA levels between healthy, sick non-septic (SNS), and septic foals. Cell-free DNA was measured directly in plasma and after extracting it using a kit in 60 foals. Direct measurement of cfDNA in foal plasma was found to be inaccurate due to matrix effect. However, even after cfDNA extraction, there were no significant differences in plasma cfDNA levels or the ratio of cfDNA to neutrophils between healthy foals, SNS foals, and septic foals. Future research should focus on understanding how neutrophils function during foal sepsis. Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is fragmented extracellular DNA that is released from cells into various body fluids. Previously published data from adult horses supports cfDNA as a potential disease biomarker, but also shows that direct measurement in plasma is inaccurate due to matrix effect. It is currently unknown whether a similar matrix effect exists in foal plasma. Given this, the objectives of the current study were to investigate foal plasma for potential matrix effect during fluorescence measurement of cfDNA using a Qubit fluorometer, and to determine whether neat and/or extracted plasma cfDNA concentrations are significantly different in healthy, sick non-septic (SNS) or septic foals. We hypothesized that matrix effect would interfere with accurate fluorescent measurement of cfDNA in foal plasma. Further, we hypothesized that mean extracted cfDNA concentrations, and/or extracted cfDNA:neutrophil ratio, would be elevated in plasma of septic foals compared to healthy or SNS foals. Cell-free DNA was measured in neat plasma, and following DNA extraction with a commercial kit, from 60 foals. Foal plasma exhibited both autofluorescence and non-specific dye binding, confirming matrix effect. However, even with extraction, no significant difference was found in cfDNA concentrations, or cfDNA:neutrophil ratios, between healthy (sepsis score ≤ 5), SNS (sepsis score 6–11 and negative blood culture), or septic (sepsis score ≥ 12 ± positive blood culture) foals. Our data show that matrix effect interferes with accurate Qubit measurement of cfDNA in foal plasma and supports previous findings that plasma cfDNA concentrations are not associated with sepsis diagnosis in foals. Further research is needed to better understand neutrophil function and dysfunction in foal sepsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Limited information is available regarding endothelial glycocalyx degradation during sepsis in horses. Plasma syndecan‐1 concentrations are increased in consequence of sepsis in other species and have been useful for prognostication. Objectives: To determine whether plasma syndecan‐1 levels are increased in adult horses affected with sepsis. Study design: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Adult horses were assigned to one of three groups based on results of physical and laboratory examinations, clinical diagnosis, and results of previously described SIRS classification: Group 1 horses included healthy, nonseptic horses; Group 2 included horses in which clinical illness was identified but that were not considered to be septic; Group 3 included horses with a clinical diagnosis of sepsis. Plasma syndecan‐1 concentration was determined in blood obtained at admission into the hospital for each horse, using an equine specific ELISA. Data were analysed using ANOVA and linear regression (p ≤ 0.05). Results: One hundred and ninety‐one horses were included and divided into three groups. Scores for SIRS were highest for Group 3 horses and lowest in Groups 1 and 2. Plasma syndecan‐1 concentrations in Group 3 horses (50.73 ± 84.24 μg/ml; n = 42) were greater than those for Group 1 (15.69 ± 11.28 μg/ml; n = 66) and Group 2 (16.88 ± 15.30 μg/ml; n = 83). There was no difference regarding syndecan concentrations between Groups 1 and 2. Main limitations: Retrospective study design, solitary time point of measurement for each patient, and lack of a widely accepted consensus regarding definitive diagnosis of sepsis in adult horses. Conclusions: Circulating plasma levels of syndecan‐1, a biochemical marker of endothelial glycocalyx damage, are increased in septic adult horses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The number of companion pigs in the US is increasing, as is the frequency with which they present to primary companion care practices. However, pigs are often an understudied species in veterinary curricula, and many students graduate from veterinary school with minimal porcine handling experience. Coupled with the poor peripheral vascular access associated with pigs, this presents a challenge for many new graduates and other primary care veterinarians seeking to improve their knowledge of porcine handling, anatomy, and medical care. Furthermore, much of the available veterinary literature regarding porcine venous access is dated, limited to technical notes, or inaccessible to many primary care veterinarians. This review aims to supplement this lack of knowledge by discussing techniques in restraint, sedation, venipuncture, and catheterization of companion pigs as a reference for veterinarians and researchers alike. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical features and patient outcomes for pet pigs with obstipation are poorly defined. This retrospective study reports the clinical findings from 24 pet (non-production) pigs with obstipation presented to 2 veterinary teaching hospitals. Clinical features of obstipated pet pigs included anorexia or hyporexia in 24 pigs (100%), pain on abdominal palpation in 22 (90%), lethargy in 21 (88%), tachypnea in 19 (79%), vomiting in 14 (58%), and tachycardia in 13 (54%). Frequently observed hematologic and biochemical abnormalities included leukopenia in 36% (8/22) of the pigs, lymphopenia in 75% (17/22), toxic changes in neutrophils in 63% (14/22), hypokalemia in 50% (9/18), and hypoglycemia in 28% (5/18). Diagnostic imaging via radiography and/or computed tomography frequently identified gastric distention and accumulation of ingesta and gas throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Medical treatments included fluid therapy, anti-emetics, oral administration of carbonated beverages, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and systemic antimicrobials. Surgical intervention was performed in 7/29% of pigs. In this study, obstipation in pet pigs carried a fair to favorable prognosis for survival, with 70% of patients surviving to discharge., (Copyright and/or publishing rights held by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.)