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Measurement of serum amyloid A in the neonatal foal using a latex agglutination immunoturbidimetric assay: determination of the normal range, variation with age and response to disease
Author(s) -
STONEHAM S. J.,
PALMER L.,
CASH R.,
ROSSDALE P. D.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
equine veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.82
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 2042-3306
pISSN - 0425-1644
DOI - 10.2746/042516401776563472
Subject(s) - foal , medicine , serum amyloid a , horse , reference range , agglutination (biology) , gastroenterology , significant difference , latex fixation test , immunology , biology , antibody , paleontology , genetics , inflammation
Summary This paperdescribes the use of a latex agglutination assay to measure serum amyloid A (SAA) in the neonatal foal. The normal range and response to clinical disease was determined. This retrospective study evaluated SAA concentrations over the first 3 days postpartum of 226 Thoroughbred foals judged to be clinically healthy. The normal range for each day was determined; levels were found to be significantly highest on Day 2 (Day 1 vs. Day 2 P<0.0001). The 95th percentile for Days 1–3 was 27.1 mg/l. Clinical records of 133 foals, presented as first or second opinion cases, were evaluated. Foals were divided into 4 groups; septicaemia ( S ), focal infection ( FI ), failure of passive transfer ( FPT ) and noninfectious disease ( NI ). There was a statistically significant difference (P<0.0001) between SAA concentrations of control foals compared to Groups S and FI. There was no statistically significant difference between controls and Groups FPT and NI. When Group NI was compared to Groups S and FI , there was a statistically significant difference (P<0.0001). The authors suggest that SAA determined by this latex agglutination assay might be a helpful aid in the diagnosis of septicaemia and focal infection in neonatal foals; levels >100 mg/l are highly suggestive of infection in young foals.