74 results on '"Freccero F"'
Search Results
2. Investigation of the treatment of sand accumulations in the equine large colon with psyllium and magnesium sulphate
- Author
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Niinistö, K.E., Ruohoniemi, M.O., Freccero, F., and Raekallio, M.R.
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- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
3. Survey of horse transportation in Switzerland: practices and issues.
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Benedetti, B., Felici, M., Thiébaud, G., Freccero, F., and Padalino, B.
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- 2023
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4. Medical management and positive outcome after prolonged recumbency in a case of equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy
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Mannini, A., Ellero, N., Urbani, L., Balboni, A., Imposimato, I., Battilani, M., Gialletti, R., and Freccero, F.
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- 2024
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5. Serum progesterone level but not luteal blood flow is increased 6 days after ovulation in mares with intrauterine fluid accumulation after AI with frozen semen
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Freccero, F, Mislei, B, Bollwein, H, Dondi, F, Bucci, D, Luttgenau, J, Mari, G, Freccero, F, Mislei, B, Bollwein, H, Dondi, F, Bucci, D, Luttgenau, J, and Mari, G
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Corpus luteum, blood flow, progesterone, endometritis, pregnancy, horses - Published
- 2020
6. The first case of Tyzzer's disease in a young foal in Italy: a case report
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Ellero N., Lanci A., Avallone G., Mariella J., Castagnetti C., Muscatello L. V., Di Maio C., Freccero F., Ellero N., Lanci A., Avallone G., Mariella J., Castagnetti C., Muscatello L.V., Di Maio C., and Freccero F.
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Clostridium ,Italy ,Animal ,Clostridium Infections ,Animals ,Clostridium Infection ,Horse Diseases ,Horses ,Horse - Abstract
Seizures, coma and death rapidly appeared after admission in a one ‑month‑old foal with a history of lethargy, fever and anorexia. Severe icterus and necrotizing hepatitis were observed at necropsy. Clinical signs, laboratory and postmortem findings were compatible with a suspect of clostridial hepatitis. Tyzzer’s disease was confirmed by the presence of organisms morphologically consistent with Clostridium piliforme in the hepatocytes at the margins of multiple areas of hepatic necrosis. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported case of clostridial hepatitis caused by Clostridium piliforme in a horse in Italy.
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- 2019
7. Dromedary camel health care practices reported by caretakers working at a permanent market
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Barbara Padalino, Menchetti L, Freccero F, Monaco D, Ziani Abdelali, Padalino B, Padalino B., Abdelali Z., Monaco D., Freccero F., and Menchetti L.
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Practice ,Dromedary camel ,business.industry ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Welfare ,Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology ,Health ,Sunstroke ,Health care ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Business ,Socioeconomics ,Agronomy and Crop Science ,Food Science ,media_common - Abstract
Traditional health care practices and ethnoveterinary medicine are still common in camels. This study aimed at describing camel health issues reported by caretakers including their management and treatment practices. Associations between the health issues and caretakers’ background, management practices, and facilities were also investigated. Camel caretakers (n=49) at a permanent market in Qatar were interviewed and data related to the camel pens (e.g. presence of shelters, water, and feeding points) collected. During the interview, questions sought to elicit the following information; i) caretaker’s background (age, level of education, experience, and how they identify when a camel is sick), ii) caretaker’s management practices (feeding, watering, and health care practices), iii) caretaker’s description of the last health problem (camel details, recalled diagnosis/clinical signs, possible cause, treatment, and outcome). The majority of the caretakers were middle-aged (31-50 years old) and they used to identify a sick camel mainly observing its behavioural modifications (p < 0.001). Treatment for endo- and ectoparasites were usually administered by caretakers, health checks routinely performed by veterinarians, while vaccinations were not conducted in most of the pens (p < 0.001). A total of 38 health problems were described and the high environmental temperature was the most reported possible cause (43.2%; p < 0.001). Among the recalled health problems, sunstrokes were the most common (11/38; p = 0.046), followed by fever (9/38). Sunstroke was more likely to affect males (OR: 5.04; CI95%: 1.87-23.38; p = 0.039), while fever younger animals (OR: 0.68, CI95%: 0.47-1.00; p = 0.050). Sunstrokes were more likely managed by non-veterinarians (OR: 4.75; CI95%: 1.05-21.34; p = 0.042). The majority of the cases were early identified and had a full recovery, but 11/38 camels died. Interestingly, drugs were the most common treatment (73.7%, p < 0.001), but often bought and administered directly by caretakers. Duty of care, infectious disease prevention, early and appropriate treatments could be recommended to guarantee the principle of good health and consequently animal welfare. Education on how to identify a sick camel and how to manage it should be also promoted.
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- 2021
8. G1 cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis by histone deacetylase inhibition in MLL-AF9 acute myeloid leukemia cells is p21 dependent and MLL-AF9 independent
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Tonelli, R, Sartini, R, Fronza, R, Freccero, F, Franzoni, M, Dongiovanni, D, Ballarini, M, Ferrari, S, D'apolito, M, Di Cola, G, Capranico, G, Khobta, A, Campanini, R, Paolucci, P, Minucci, S, and Pession, A
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- 2006
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9. Early colonisation and temporal dynamics of the gut microbial ecosystem in Standardbred foals
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Quercia, S., primary, Freccero, F., additional, Castagnetti, C., additional, Soverini, M., additional, Turroni, S., additional, Biagi, E., additional, Rampelli, S., additional, Lanci, A., additional, Mariella, J., additional, Chinellato, E., additional, Brigidi, P., additional, and Candela, M., additional
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
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10. Feasibility of the echocardiographic subcostal view in newborn foals: two-dimensional and Doppler aortic findings
- Author
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Freccero, F., primary, Cordella, A., additional, Dondi, F., additional, Castagnetti, C., additional, Niinistö, K., additional, and Cipone, M., additional
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
11. Early colonisation and temporal dynamics of the gut microbial ecosystem in Standardbred foals.
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Quercia, S., Freccero, F., Castagnetti, C., Soverini, M., Turroni, S., Biagi, E., Rampelli, S., Lanci, A., Mariella, J., Chinellato, E., Brigidi, P., and Candela, M.
- Abstract
Summary: Background: Even if horses strictly depend on the gut microbiota for energy homeostasis, only a few molecular studies have focused on its characterisation and none on the perinatal gut microbial colonisation process. Objectives: To explore the perinatal colonisation process of the foal gut microbial ecosystem and the temporal dynamics of the ecosystem assembly during the first days of life. Study design: Longitudinal study. Methods: Thirteen Standardbred mare‐foal pairs were included in the study. For each pair, at delivery we collected the mare amniotic fluid, faeces and colostrum, and the foal meconium. Milk samples and faeces of both mare and foal were also taken longitudinally, until day 10 post‐partum. Samples were analysed by means of next‐generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene on Illumina MiSeq. Results: Our findings suggest that microbial components derived from the mare symbiont communities establishes in the foal gut since fetal life. After birth, an external transmission route of mare microorganisms takes place. This involves a rapid and dynamic process of assembling the mature foal gut microbiome, in which the founder microbial species are derived from both the milk and the gut microbial ecosystems of the mare. Main limitations: The inability to discriminate between live and dead cells, the possible presence of contaminating bacteria in low biomass samples (e.g. meconium and amniotic fluid), the limits of the phylogenetic assignment down to species level, and the presence of unassigned operational taxonomic units. Conclusions: Our data highlight the importance of mare microbiomes as a key factor for the establishment of the gut microbial ecosystem of the foal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2019
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12. Total plasma magnesium in healthy and critically ill foals
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Mariella, J., primary, Isani, G., additional, Andreani, G., additional, Freccero, F., additional, Carpenè, E., additional, and Castagnetti, C., additional
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- 2016
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13. Endothelin 1 in healthy foals and in foals affected by neonatal diseases
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Giordano, A., primary, Castagnetti, C., additional, Panzani, S., additional, Paltrinieri, S., additional, Freccero, F., additional, and Veronesi, M.C., additional
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- 2015
- Full Text
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14. Venous blood gas parameters, electrolytes, glucose and lactate concentration in sick neonatal foals: Direct venipuncture versus push-pull technique
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Jole Mariella, Aliai Lanci, Chiara Di Maio, Natascia Cocchia, Francesca Freccero, Carolina Castagnetti, Chiara Del Prete, Fabiana Micieli, Del Prete C., Lanci A., Cocchia N., Freccero F., Di Maio C., Castagnetti C., Mariella J., Micieli F., Del Prete, C., Lanci, A., Cocchia, N., Freccero, F., Di Maio, C., Castagnetti, C., Mariella, J., and Micieli, F.
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040301 veterinary sciences ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Thrombophlebitis ,intravenous catheter collection ,0403 veterinary science ,Electrolytes ,Phlebotomy ,biology.animal ,Jugular vein ,Medicine ,Animals ,Horses ,Lactic Acid ,Syringe ,Blood Specimen Collection ,Venipuncture ,biology ,business.industry ,0402 animal and dairy science ,Infant, Newborn ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,General Medicine ,Venous blood ,medicine.disease ,040201 dairy & animal science ,horse ,venous blood analysis ,Catheter ,Glucose ,Foal ,Intravenous therapy ,Anesthesia ,business ,foal - Abstract
Background: Blood collection by indwelling intravenous catheter (IVC) avoids repeated venipuncture, which could cause thrombophlebitis risk, anxiety and pain in patients. Objectives: To compare blood gas parameters, electrolytes, glucose, lactate and haematocrit concentration obtained from venous blood samples collected via a jugular IVC by push-pull (PP) technique to those obtained by venipuncture in hospitalised foals, at the time of catheter placement (T0) and 24hours after the beginning of intravenous therapy (T24). Study design: Prospective observational study. Methods: Paired blood samples were drawn from hospitalised foals at T0 and T24. In each foal, one venous blood sample was collected via IVC by the following PP technique: 2.4mL of blood was aspirated and immediately reinfused through the catheter three times consecutively, then 1mL of blood was collected using a 1mL heparinised syringe. Thereafter, another sample was collected by direct venipuncture of the contralateral jugular vein, with an identical 1mL heparinised syringe, with a 1-inch, 20-G needle. All samples were analysed with an automated blood gas analyser within 10minutes of collection. The agreement between the two techniques was assessed by Bland-Altman analysis and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: The level of agreement of blood gas values obtained by the two different techniques was high with very small bias and clinically acceptable ICC (>0.907 at T0; >0.794 at T24) for all variables, except for haematocrit (bias −3.52 at T0; −2.44 at T24) and PvO2 at T0 and T24 (ICC 0.669 and 0.733, respectively). Main limitations: Potential sub-clinical catheter-related complications were not investigated by ultrasound or bacterial culture of the catheter; short duration of the study. Conclusions: PP technique appears to be acceptable for collection of blood samples for venous blood gas parameters, as well as electrolytes, glucose and lactate in sick neonatal foals.
- Published
- 2020
15. Hair Cortisol and DHEA-S in Foals and Mares as a Retrospective Picture of Feto-Maternal Relationship under Physiological and Pathological Conditions
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Aliai Lanci, Jole Mariella, Nicola Ellero, Alice Faoro, Tanja Peric, Alberto Prandi, Francesca Freccero, Carolina Castagnetti, Lanci A., Mariella J., Ellero N., Faoro A., Peric T., Prandi A., Freccero F., and Castagnetti C.
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ratio ,endocrine system ,prenatal ,General Veterinary ,hormones ,animal diseases ,neonatal foal ,mare ,pregnancy ,hair ,hypothalamus pituitary adrenal axis ,allostasis ,biomarkers ,hormone ,allostasi ,hypothalamus pituitary adrenal axi ,biomarker ,Animal Science and Zoology ,hormones, hormone substitutes, and hormone antagonists - Abstract
Equine fetal hair starts to grow at around 270 days of pregnancy, and hair collected at birth reflects hormones of the last third of pregnancy. The study aimed to evaluate cortisol (CORT) and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) concentrations and their ratio in the trichological matrix of foals and mares in relation to their clinical parameters; the clinical condition of the neonate (study 1); the housing place at parturition (study 2). In study 1, 107 mare-foal pairs were divided into healthy (group H; n = 56) and sick (group S; n = 51) foals, whereas in study 2, group H was divided into hospital (n = 30) and breeding farm (n = 26) parturition. Steroids from hair were measured using a solid-phase microtiter radioimmunoassay. In study 1, hair CORT concentrations measured in foals did not differ between groups and did not appear to be influenced by clinical parameters. A correlation between foal and mare hair CORT concentrations (p = 0.019; r = 0.312, group H; p = 0.006; r = 0.349, group S) and between CORT and DHEA-S concentrations in foals (p = 0.018; r = 0.282, group H; p < 0.001; r = 0.44, group S) and mares (p = 0.006; r = 0.361, group H; p = 0.027; r = 0.271, group S) exists in both groups. Increased hair DHEA-S concentrations (p = 0.033) and decreased CORT/DHEA-S ratio (p < 0.001) appear to be potential biomarkers of chronic stress in the final third of pregnancy, as well as a potential sign of resilience and allostatic load in sick foals, and deserve further attention in the evaluation of prenatal hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity in the equine species. In study 2, hormone concentrations in the hair of mares hospitalized for attended parturition did not differ from those that were foaled at the breeding farm. This result could be related to a too brief period of hospitalization to cause significant changes in steroid deposition in the mare’s hair.
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- 2022
16. Adrenal gland ultrasonographic measurements and plasma hormone concentrations in clinically healthy newborn thoroughbred and standardbred foals
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Lauteri, Eleonora, Mariella, Jole, Beccati, Francesca, Roelfsema, Ellen, Castagnetti, Carolina, Pepe, Marco, Peric, Tanja, Barbato, Olimpia, Montillo, Marta, Rouge, Stefanie, Freccero, Francesca, Equine Internal Medicine, dES AVR, CS_Welfare & emerging diseases, Lauteri E., Mariella J., Beccati F., Roelfsema E., Castagnetti C., Pepe M., Peric T., Barbato O., Montillo M., Rouge S., Freccero F., Equine Internal Medicine, dES AVR, and CS_Welfare & emerging diseases
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medicine.medical_specialty ,endocrine system ,adrenal hormones ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Veterinary medicine ,Dehydroepiandrosterone ,Stimulation ,Adrenal glands ,neonatal foals ,Article ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Age ,stomatognathic system ,Internal medicine ,biology.animal ,SF600-1100 ,Ultrasound ,medicine ,Adrenal gland ,adrenal glands ,Aldosterone ,General Veterinary ,biology ,business.industry ,Neonatal foals ,Venous blood ,ACTH ,Adrenal hormones ,Breed ,Sex ,Weight ,veterinary(all) ,Steroid hormone ,Endocrinology ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Foal ,chemistry ,QL1-991 ,Animal Science and Zoology ,business ,Zoology ,Neonatal foal ,hormones, hormone substitutes, and hormone antagonists ,Adrenal hormone ,Hormone - Abstract
Adrenal hormones, ACTH plasma concentrations and the ultrasonographic evaluation of the adrenal glands are considered complementary in clinical evaluations of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis function in several species. In dogs, age, size and weight have a significant effect on the ultrasonographic size of the adrenal glands. In neonatal foals, ultrasonographic evaluation and measurements of the adrenal glands have been demonstrated to be reliable, however, the effect of individual variables on ultrasonographic features has not been investigated, and the clinical usefulness of adrenal gland ultrasonography is still not known. The aims of this study were: (i) to provide and compare adrenal glands ultrasound measurements in healthy newborn Thoroughbred and Standardbred foals, and assess any effect of age, weight and sex on them, (ii) to assess and compare ACTH and steroid hormone concentrations in healthy neonatal foals of the two breeds. Venous blood samples and ultrasonographic images of the adrenal glands were collected from 10 healthy neonatal Thoroughbred and 10 healthy neonatal Standardbred foals. Ultrasonographic measurements of the adrenal glands were obtained and adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), progesterone (P4) and aldosterone plasma concentrations were assessed. The ACTH/cortisol, ACTH/progesterone, ACTH/aldosterone, ACTH/DHEA and cortisol/DHEA ratios were calculated. A significant positive correlation was found between the height of the right adrenal gland and the foal’s weight, the width of the right and left adrenal gland and the medulla was significantly lower in Thoroughbreds than in Standardbreds. Cortisol and ACTH plasma concentrations were significantly higher and lower, respectively, in Thoroughbreds compared with Standardbreds. The cortisol/DHEA ratio was significantly higher in Thoroughbreds. This study provides reference ranges for neonatal Thoroughbred and Standardbred foals, and suggests the presence of breed-related differences in ultrasonographic adrenal gland measurements, plasmatic cortisol and ACTH concentrations. The higher cortisol/DHEA ratio detected in Thoroughbred foals could suggest a different response to environmental stimulation in the two breeds.
- Published
- 2021
17. Changes in the fecal microbiota associated with a broad‐spectrum antimicrobial administration in hospitalized neonatal foals with probiotics supplementation
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Andrea Castagnetti, Jole Mariella, Sara Quercia, Elisa Viciani, Aliai Lanci, Carolina Castagnetti, Francesca Freccero, Freccero F., Lanci A., Mariella J., Viciani E., Quercia S., Castagnetti A., and Castagnetti C.
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040301 veterinary sciences ,medicine.drug_class ,Firmicutes ,Veterinary medicine ,Fecal microbiota ,Antibiotics ,Foals ,Gut flora ,digestive system ,Article ,antimicrobials ,Microbiology ,0403 veterinary science ,03 medical and health sciences ,Ampicillin ,SF600-1100 ,medicine ,Feces ,030304 developmental biology ,0303 health sciences ,General Veterinary ,biology ,Akkermansia ,Fusobacteria ,dysbiosis ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,biology.organism_classification ,medicine.disease ,Dysbiosi ,QL1-991 ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Antimicrobial ,Zoology ,Dysbiosis ,medicine.drug - Abstract
Simple Summary Post-antibiotic intestinal dysbiosis leads to an overall reduction in bacterial and functional diversity, along with a minor resistance against pathogens. The study aimed to determine the changes on the fecal microbiota in hospitalized neonatal foals administered with broad-spectrum antimicrobials and supplemented probiotics. Fecal samples were collected at hospital admission, at the end of the antimicrobial treatment and at discharge. Seven foals treated with intravenous ampicillin and aminoglycosides for a mean of seven days were included. The results suggest that the fecal microbiota of neonatal foals rapidly returns to a high diversity after treatment. While the findings need to be confirmed in a larger population, the study suggests that in foals, the effect of antimicrobials may be strongly influenced by the changes that occur over time in the developing gut microbiota. Of note, the findings are influenced by the use of probiotics, and whether the changes would be consistent in antimicrobial-administered but not supplemented foals remains to be elucidated. Abstract There is a wide array of evidence across species that exposure to antibiotics is associated with dysbiosis, and due to their widespread use, this also raises concerns also in medicine. The study aimed to determine the changes on the fecal microbiota in hospitalized neonatal foals administered with broad-spectrum antimicrobials and supplemented probiotics. Fecal samples were collected at hospital admission (Ta), at the end of the antimicrobial treatment (Te) and at discharge (Td). Feces were analysed by next-generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene on Illumina MiSeq. Seven foals treated with IV ampicillin and amikacin/gentamicin were included. The mean age at Ta was 19 h, the mean treatment length was 7 days and the mean time between Te and Td was 4.3 days. Seven phyla were identified: Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Fusobacteria, Proteobacteria, TM7 and Verrucomicrobia. At Ta, Firmicutes (48.19%) and Proteobacteria (31.56%) were dominant. The alpha diversity decreased from Ta to Te, but it was the highest at Td. The beta diversity was higher at Ta than at Te and higher at Td than at Te. An increase in Akkermansia over time was detected. The results suggest that the intestinal microbiota of neonatal foals rapidly returns to a high diversity after treatment. It is possible that in foals, the effect of antimicrobials is strongly influenced or overshadowed by the time-dependent changes in the developing gut microbiota.
- Published
- 2021
18. Transabdominal ultrasonographic measurement of caudal vena cava to aorta derived ratios in clinically healthy neonatal foals
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Francesca Freccero, Maria Pia Pasolini, Carolina Castagnetti, Chiara Del Prete, Chiara Bullone, Aliai Lanci, Gayle D Hallowell, Del Prete, Chiara, Freccero, Francesca, Lanci, Aliai, Hallowell, Gayle D., Bullone, Chiara, Castagnetti, Carolina, Pasolini, Maria Pia, Del Prete, C., Freccero, F., Lanci, A., Hallowell, G. D., Bullone, C., Castagnetti, C., and Pasolini, M. P.
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Short axis ,Vena cava ,Veterinary medicine ,Population ,caudal vena cava/aorta ratios ,caudal vena cava/aorta ratio ,Vena Cava, Inferior ,Caudal vena cava ,medicine.artery ,Hypovolemia ,SF600-1100 ,Intravascular volume status ,medicine ,Animals ,intravascular volume ,Horses ,education ,Aorta ,Ultrasonography ,education.field_of_study ,General Veterinary ,business.industry ,ultrasound ,Body Weight ,Ultrasound ,Reproducibility of Results ,foals ,Original Articles ,equipment and supplies ,caudal vena cava/aorta ratios, foals, intravascular volume, ultrasound ,Original Article ,medicine.symptom ,business ,Nuclear medicine ,foal - Abstract
Background Ultrasonographic measurement of the vena cava and aorta (Ao) diameters and their ratios have been suggested to be a reliable way of quantifying hypovolemia. Objective To evaluate the feasibility and reliability of an ultrasonographic technique for measurement of Ao and caudal vena cava (CVC) and derived ratios using three different acoustic windows in a population of healthy neonatal foals. Correlation between Ao and CVC measurements and ratios and foals' age or bodyweight were also investigated. Methods In 14 healthy foals aged less than 7 days, the diameters of the Ao and of the CVC in long and short axis were measured by two observers from images obtained using three different ultrasonographic imaging planes (left dorsal, left ventral and right views). The Ao and CVC cross‐sectional area and the CVC/Ao diameter and area ratios were calculated. Image quality was subjectively assessed. Intraobserver and interobserver reliabilities for image quality scores and measurements were evaluated between the two observers. Simple linear regression models were used to identify correlations between the CVC/Ao measurements and ratios and the age and bodyweight of the foals. Results The left ventral view showed the highest reliability. A correlation between bodyweight and the short axis measurement of the CVC was found (R 2 = 0.385; p = 0.018). Age was positively correlated with the long axis of measurement of the CVC (R 2 = 0.426; p = 0.011) and CVC/Ao diameter ratio (R 2 = 0.625; p = 0.001). Conclusions The left ventral view allows the Ao and CVC cross sections to be easily visualized and measured in neonatal foals in right lateral recumbency., The present study evaluated the feasibility and reliability of an ultrasonographic technique for measurement of Ao and CVC and derived ratios using three different acoustic windows in a population of healthy neonatal foals. A left ventral view of the abdomen allowed for rapid imaging and measurement of the cross‐sectional diameter of both the aorta and the CVC in neonate foals in lateral recumbency, and might be a promising method to quantitatively assess the degree of hypovolemia.
- Published
- 2021
19. Peripartum findings and blood gas analysis in newborn foals born after spontaneous or induced parturition
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Aliai Lanci, Jole Mariella, Francesco Camillo, Carolina Castagnetti, Paola Marmorini, Micaela Sgorbini, Francesca Freccero, Sgorbini M., Freccero F., Castagnetti C., Mariella J., Lanci A., Marmorini P., and Camillo F.
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mares, foals, induced parturition, oxytocin, blood-gas analysis, lactate ,animal diseases ,Mare ,Physiology ,Oxytocin ,pCO2 ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Food Animals ,biology.animal ,medicine ,blood-gas analysis ,Induced parturition ,Small Animals ,reproductive and urinary physiology ,Acidosis ,030219 obstetrics & reproductive medicine ,biology ,Equine ,business.industry ,Blood-gas analysi ,0402 animal and dairy science ,foals ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,Venous blood ,040201 dairy & animal science ,Breed ,Foal ,Gestation ,mares ,Lactate ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Apgar score ,medicine.symptom ,business ,Hypercapnia - Abstract
Induction of parturition in horses is still not well accepted due to the potential peripartum complications for mares and newborn foals. We assessed differences after spontaneous and induced parturition with low doses of oxytocin (OX) in 1) incidence of peripartum complications in mares; 2) viability, behavioral, physical, and venous blood gas analyses in foals. In this study 61 mares were included; 45/61 were enrolled in the spontaneous foaling group (SF) and 16/61 in the induced foaling group (IF). In the IF group, when the calcium in mammary secretion reached concentrations of ≥250 ppm, mares received a single injection of 2.5 IU of oxytocin IV once a day until foaling. Mares’ breed, age, parity, gestational and stage II length, and peripartum complications were recorded. Foal maturity, vital (Apgar score), behavioral and physical parameters were assessed at birth, and the foal clinical condition was monitored for one week. A jugular venous blood sample was collected at birth for blood gas analysis, acid-base status, and lactate assessment. The median gestational length was within the reference interval in all the mares included and did not differ between the two groups. No statistical differences in the II stage length nor in incidence of peripartum complications were observed between the two groups. All the foals were born alive and showed no signs of prematurity/dysmaturity. No statistical differences were found in foal viability between the two groups. Time to stand and nurse from the mare, and body temperature were significantly higher in the IF compared to the SF group. Venous blood pH, SO2% and BE were lower, while pCO2 and lactate were higher in the IF than in the SF group. All the foals in both groups remained clinically healthy during the observation period. In conclusion, at term induction of parturition with a low dose of oxytocin does not have adverse effects on peripartum in mares. Our findings suggest that at term induced foals suffer slightly greater, but not clinically significant, hypoxia, hypercapnia and acidosis than spontaneously delivered foals.
- Published
- 2020
20. Investigation of the treatment of sand accumulations in the equine large colon with psyllium and magnesium sulphate
- Author
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Kati Niinistö, F. Freccero, Mirja Ruohoniemi, Marja Raekallio, Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Departments of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Helsinki In Vivo Animal Imaging Platform (HAIP), Doctoral Programme in Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Marja Raekallio / Principal Investigator, DAPHNE - Developing Assessment Practices in Higher Education, Teachers' Academy, Niinistö, K.E., Ruohoniemi, M.O., Freccero, F., and Raekallio, M.R.
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Equine, Geosediment, Nasogastric tubing, Plantago ovata, Sand ,Plantago ovata ,Colic ,Colon ,CLINICALLY NORMAL HORSES ,040301 veterinary sciences ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Cathartic ,chemistry.chemical_element ,RADIOGRAPHY ,413 Veterinary science ,Psyllium ,0403 veterinary science ,Magnesium Sulfate ,Animal science ,Sand ,MANAGEMENT ,medicine ,Animals ,Geosediment ,Enteropathy ,Horses ,Prospective Studies ,General Veterinary ,biology ,Cathartics ,Equine ,business.industry ,Magnesium ,0402 animal and dairy science ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,Silicon Dioxide ,biology.organism_classification ,medicine.disease ,040201 dairy & animal science ,3. Good health ,chemistry ,SURGICAL-TREATMENT ,Nasogastric intubation ,Large Colon ,Horse Diseases ,Animal Science and Zoology ,business ,Intestinal Obstruction ,Nasogastric tubing ,Clearance ,medicine.drug - Abstract
Enteropathy associated with sand accumulation in the large colon of horses has been reported worldwide. Intestinal sand accumulations are commonly treated medically, but randomised controlled clinical trials on horses are scarce. This prospective study evaluated the efficacy of an enterally administered combination of psyllium and magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) for the removal of large colonic sand accumulations in horses without clinical signs of acute colic. The two groups comprised 20 untreated control horses and 20 horses treated with 1 g/kg bodyweight (bwt) of psyllium and 1 g/kg bwt of MgSO4 administered by nasogastric intubation once daily for 4 days. Both groups had no access to soil during the study period. The amounts of accumulated sand were evaluated radiographically before and after treatment. Significantly more treated horses cleared their sand accumulations than horses in the control group. This clearance was determined by observing the estimated quantity by area of sand remaining in the large colon (P < 0.001) and by comparing the numbers of successfully treated horses (P = 0.004) between the two groups after 4 days of treatment. However, there were unexplained individual variations in the clearance of sand accumulation.
- Published
- 2018
21. Doppler evaluation of renal resistivity index in healthy conscious horses and donkeys
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Francesca Freccero, Irene Nocera, Micaela Sgorbini, Mario Cipone, Marina Petrucelli, and Freccero F, Petrucelli M, Cipone M, Nocera I, Sgorbini M
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Horse ,Kidney ,Doppler ultrasound ,donkey ,Diagnostic Radiology ,0403 veterinary science ,Ultrasound Imaging ,Medicine and Health Sciences ,Asses ,Mammals ,Multidisciplinary ,biology ,Radiology and Imaging ,Eukaryota ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,Arteries ,Breed ,Vertebrates ,symbols ,Cardiology ,Medicine ,Female ,Ultrasonography ,Anatomy ,Doppler effect ,Research Article ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Consciousness ,040301 veterinary sciences ,Imaging Techniques ,Science ,Equines ,renal arterie ,Research and Analysis Methods ,Doppler Imaging ,symbols.namesake ,Body condition score ,Diagnostic Medicine ,Renal Arteries ,Internal medicine ,biology.animal ,medicine ,Animals ,Horses ,Resistivity index ,business.industry ,Significant difference ,0402 animal and dairy science ,Organisms ,Biology and Life Sciences ,Ultrasonography, Doppler ,Kidneys ,Equidae ,Renal System ,040201 dairy & animal science ,Resistivity Index ,Amniotes ,Cardiovascular Anatomy ,Blood Vessels ,business ,human activities - Abstract
The renal resistive index (RRI) is used as a measurement of downstream resistance in arter- ies. The aim of this study was to assess the RRI of the arcuate arteries by pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasonography in healthy conscious horses and donkeys, and to verify any differ- ences related to age, breed, bodyweight (BW) or body condition (BCS). Thirty-three healthy conscious horses and nine donkeys had their systolic and diastolic flow velocities at the level of the arcuate arteries estimated by pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasound, and the RRI was calculated. The relationship of RRI with age, breed (Trotters vs. other breeds), bodyweight (BW), and body condition score (BCS) were evaluated. PW Doppler evaluation of RRI was successfully applied in most of the horses, but to date not in the donkeys. In horses, median RRI values for the right kidney (0.58±0.006) were statistically higher than for the left (0.51 ±0.006). For the donkeys the values were comparable. There was no significant difference in RRI between horses younger or older than 15 years, and between breeds in horses. No correlation with age, BW or BCS was found in either horses or donkeys.
- Published
- 2019
22. Early colonisation and temporal dynamics of the gut microbial ecosystem in Standardbred foals
- Author
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Matteo Soverini, Carolina Castagnetti, Francesca Freccero, Elena Biagi, Jole Mariella, Marco Candela, Sara Quercia, E. Chinellato, Aliai Lanci, Silvia Turroni, Patrizia Brigidi, Simone Rampelli, Quercia, S., Freccero, F., Castagnetti, C., Soverini, M., Turroni, S., Biagi, E., Rampelli, S., Lanci, A., Mariella, J., Chinellato, E., Brigidi, P., and Candela, M.
- Subjects
DNA, Bacterial ,Male ,040301 veterinary sciences ,animal diseases ,meconium ,Zoology ,microbiome ,gut microbiota establishment ,Gut flora ,digestive system ,0403 veterinary science ,Meconium ,biology.animal ,Animals ,Homeostasis ,Ecosystem ,Microbiome ,Horses ,stool ,Feces ,reproductive and urinary physiology ,biology ,Bacteria ,0402 animal and dairy science ,amniotic fluid ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,General Medicine ,biology.organism_classification ,040201 dairy & animal science ,Gastrointestinal Microbiome ,Colonisation ,Foal ,Animals, Newborn ,Colostrum ,Standardbred horse ,vertical transmission ,Energy Metabolism - Abstract
Background Even if horses strictly depend on the gut microbiota for energy homeostasis, only a few molecular studies have focused on its characterisation and none on the perinatal gut microbial colonisation process. Objectives To explore the perinatal colonisation process of the foal gut microbial ecosystem and the temporal dynamics of the ecosystem assembly during the first days of life. Study design Longitudinal study. Methods Thirteen Standardbred mare-foal pairs were included in the study. For each pair, at delivery we collected the mare amniotic fluid, faeces and colostrum, and the foal meconium. Milk samples and faeces of both mare and foal were also taken longitudinally, until day 10 post-partum. Samples were analysed by means of next-generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene on Illumina MiSeq. Results Our findings suggest that microbial components derived from the mare symbiont communities establishes in the foal gut since fetal life. After birth, an external transmission route of mare microorganisms takes place. This involves a rapid and dynamic process of assembling the mature foal gut microbiome, in which the founder microbial species are derived from both the milk and the gut microbial ecosystems of the mare. Main limitations The inability to discriminate between live and dead cells, the possible presence of contaminating bacteria in low biomass samples (e.g. meconium and amniotic fluid), the limits of the phylogenetic assignment down to species level, and the presence of unassigned operational taxonomic units. Conclusions Our data highlight the importance of mare microbiomes as a key factor for the establishment of the gut microbial ecosystem of the foal.
- Published
- 2019
23. Feasibility of the echocardiographic subcostal view in newborn foals: two-dimensional and Doppler aortic findings
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Carolina Castagnetti, Alessia Cordella, Francesco Dondi, Kati Niinistö, Francesca Freccero, Mario Cipone, Freccero, F., Cordella, A., Dondi, F., Castagnetti, C., Niinistö, K., and Cipone, M.
- Subjects
Aortic valve ,Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,040301 veterinary sciences ,Doppler echocardiography ,0403 veterinary science ,symbols.namesake ,Doppler flow ,Internal medicine ,medicine ,echocardiography ,Animals ,Pulsed wave ,Horses ,Prospective Studies ,aortic outflow ,Aorta ,medicine.diagnostic_test ,business.industry ,Significant difference ,Doppler ,0402 animal and dairy science ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,General Medicine ,040201 dairy & animal science ,Echocardiography, Doppler ,horse ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Warmblood ,Animals, Newborn ,Parasternal line ,Aortic Valve ,cardiovascular system ,Cardiology ,symbols ,Feasibility Studies ,Female ,business ,Doppler effect ,subcostal view ,Blood Flow Velocity ,foal - Abstract
Background: In dogs, due to better alignment with the aortic outflow, the subcostal (SC) transducer site provides greater Doppler-derived velocities than those obtained from the left parasternal view. The feasibility of this imaging approach has never been described in equine echocardiography. Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of the SC view in newborn foals and compare aortic two-dimensional and Doppler-derived velocity measurements with those of standard parasternal long-axis (LAX) views. Study design: A prospective observational study. Methods: Twenty-three newborn healthy Standardbred and Warmblood foals, aged from 7 h to 6 days, underwent transthoracic two-dimensional (2DE), M-mode and Doppler echocardiography that was performed in lateral recumbency. Right and left parasternal long-axis (R-LAX, L-LAX) and SC views were obtained to perform 2DE and Doppler assessments of the aortic valve (AoV). Aortic diameter at the sinus of Valsalva (AoS D) was measured from R-LAX and SC images. Aortic maximal velocity (AoV Velmax), velocity time integral (AoV VTI) and pressure gradient (AoV PG) were obtained by pulsed wave Doppler spectra from SC and L-LAX views. Results: The SC view was feasible in all foals. No significant difference was found in AoS D between different views (P = 0.06), and no significant correlation was detected for bodyweight (BW). AoV Velmax, VTI and PG obtained from the SC view were greater than from the L-LAX view (P
- Published
- 2017
24. Blood gas levels in newborn foals after normal and assisted delivery
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Bonelli, F., Marmorini, P., Sgorbini, M., LANCI, ALIAI, MARIELLA, JOLE, FRECCERO, FRANCESCA, CASTAGNETTI, CAROLINA, Bonelli, F., Lanci, A., Mariella, J., Freccero, F., Castagnetti, C., Marmorini, P., and Sgorbini, M.
- Subjects
foal, blood gas analysis ,foal, emogasanalysis, umbilical artery ,umbilical artery ,foal ,emogasanalysis - Published
- 2017
25. Efficacy and Safety of a Commercial Fresh-Frozen Hyperimmune Plasma in Foals With Failure of Passive Transfer of Immunity
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Freccero Francesca, Castagnetti Carolina, Cotignoli Chiara, Lanci Aliai, Mariella Jole, and Freccero F., Mariella J., Lanci A., Cotignoli C., Castagnetti C.
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0301 basic medicine ,biology ,040301 veterinary sciences ,Equine ,business.industry ,Equine plasma ,animal diseases ,Significant difference ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,medicine.disease ,digestive system ,0403 veterinary science ,Sepsis ,Systemic inflammatory response syndrome ,03 medical and health sciences ,030104 developmental biology ,Foal ,Immunity ,biology.animal ,Immunology ,Neonate, FPT, Fresh-frozen plasma, Sepsis ,Fresh frozen ,Medicine ,Fresh frozen plasma ,business - Abstract
none 5 no In foals more than 12 hours old, the only effective therapy for the treatment of failure of passive transfer (FPT) of immunity is transfusion of equine plasma. Use and efficacy of equine plasma for prophylaxis and treatment of sepsis, a condition primarily associated with FPT, are widely reported. However, plasma- and recipient-related factors associated with extent of IgG transfer and catabolism are not completely defined. Efficacy and safety of transfusion of a commercial fresh-frozen hyperimmune plasma were evaluated in hospitalized foals younger than 7 days of age with total or partial FPT. Sixty-two foals, classified as affected by FPT only, septic (infection plus systemic inflammatory response syndrome [SIRS]), and nonseptic sick, were included, and serum IgG concentration was measured at admission and 24 hours after plasma transfusion. In 25/62 foals, IgG level after 72 hours was also determined. The impact of different classification criteria for septic foals on IgG transfer was evaluated. Serum IgG measured 24 hours and 72 hours after plasma transfusion was significantly greater than at admission, but no significant difference was found in transfer efficacy (TE) between FPT, FPT septic, and FPT nonseptic foals and no significant difference was found in IgG concentration comparing foals with total and partial FPT or survivors and nonsurvivors. No significant difference was found comparing IgG concentration between bacteremic and nonbacteremic foals and foals with or without SIRS. No foal experienced adverse reactions to plasma transfusion. IgG TE and catabolism did not result significantly affected by the presence of sepsis or illness or by the outcome. none Freccero F., Mariella J., Lanci A., Cotignoli C., Castagnetti C. Freccero, F.; Mariella, J.; Lanci, A.; Cotignoli, C.; Castagnetti, C.
- Published
- 2017
26. Preliminary morphometric study on fetal eye in standarbred mares in late gestation
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LANCI, ALIAI, MARIELLA, JOLE, FRECCERO, FRANCESCA, CASTAGNETTI, CAROLINA, Sergio C., Lanci A., Mariella J., Sergio C., Freccero F., and Castagnetti C.
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mare, gestation, fetal eye - Published
- 2016
27. Feasibility of echocardiographic subcostal apical view in newborn foals: bidimensional and doppler aortic parameters
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FRECCERO, FRANCESCA, CORDELLA, ALESSIA, CASTAGNETTI, CAROLINA, DONDI, FRANCESCO, LANCI, ALIAI, CIPONE, MARIO, Forni, G., Niinistö, K., Freccero, F., Cordella, A., Forni, G., Castagnetti, C., Dondi, F., Lanci, A., Niinistö, K., and Cipone, M.
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foal, echocardiography - Published
- 2016
28. Salmonella spp. prevalence, pattern of spread and transmission in foals and mares hospitalized at an equine perinatology unit
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ZACCARIA, ANDREA CHIARA, MARIELLA, JOLE, FRECCERO, FRANCESCA, PONGOLINI, STEFANO, CINOTTI, STEFANO, CASTAGNETTI, CAROLINA, Merialdi, G, D’Incau, M, Zaccaria, AC, Mariella, J, Freccero, F, Merialdi, G, Pongolini, S, D’Incau, M, Cinotti, S, and Castagnetti, C.
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Salmonella, foal, trasmission - Published
- 2016
29. Endothelin 1 in healthy foals and in foals affected by neonatal diseases
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Francesca Freccero, Carolina Castagnetti, Saverio Paltrinieri, Maria Cristina Veronesi, Alessia Giordano, S. Panzani, Giordano, A., Castagnetti, C., Panzani, S., Paltrinieri, S., Freccero, F., and Veronesi, M.C.
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Male ,Pediatrics ,medicine.medical_specialty ,animal diseases ,Disease ,GUIDELINES ,HORSES ,EQUINE LAMINITIS ,Food Animals ,INFLAMMATION ,Predictive Value of Tests ,Reference Values ,medicine ,Animals ,IMMUNOREACTIVITY ,Respiratory system ,Small Animals ,PLASMA ENDOTHELIN-1 ,Neonatal Diseases ,NITRIC-OXIDE ,CARDIOMYOPATHY ,Endothelin-1 ,Neonatal sepsis ,SEPSIS ,Equine ,business.industry ,Serum concentration ,Prognosis ,medicine.disease ,Endothelin 1 ,Perinatal asphyxia ,Animals, Newborn ,Female ,Horse Diseases ,Animal Science and Zoology ,business ,Biomarkers ,NEWBORN - Abstract
In newborn babies, endothelin 1 (ET-1), a potent vasoconstrictor, increases during septicemia and severe respiratory syndromes. Because equine neonatal sepsis (ENS) and perinatal asphyxia syndrome (PAS) are major causes of morbidity and mortality in newborn foals and because no information on the concentration of ET-1 in healthy and sick foals has been reported yet, the aims of this study were (1) to define the serum concentration of Big ET-1 in healthy neonatal foals during the first week of age; (2) to preliminarily explore the diagnostic and prognostic role of Big ET-1 during ENS and PAS. Six healthy and 23 sick foals affected by ENS and/or PAS were enrolled in the study. In healthy foals, Big ET-1 concentration increased in the first hours of life until 24 hours after birth, and it remained constant during the first 3 days, then gradually decreased becoming significantly lower from Day 4 onward (P < 0.05). In sick foals, only 26.1% of animals showed higher values of Big ET-1 than controls at admission, and no difference between surviving and nonsurviving foals was found. Because in nonsurviving foals, Big ET-1 remained over the maximum value recorded in clinically healthy horses or, when normal at admission, increased over time; this study suggested that repeated measurement of Big ET-1 during hospitalization may be helpful in monitoring the course of the disease. In conclusion, possible prognostic information may be obtained by repeated analysis of Big ET-1 during hospitalization, but further studies are needed.
- Published
- 2015
30. Clinical use of a commercial hyperimmune plasma in hospitalized foals with FPT
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FRECCERO, FRANCESCA, MARIELLA, JOLE, LANCI, ALIAI, CASTAGNETTI, CAROLINA, Cotignoli, C., Freccero, F., Mariella, J., Lanci, A., Cotignoli, C., and Castagnetti, C
- Subjects
hyperimmune plasma , foal, FPT ,animal diseases - Abstract
Aim of the study: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the administration of a commercial hyperimmune plasma in septic and non-septic foals with failure of passive transfer (FPT). Materials and methods: Fifty-two hospitalized foals
- Published
- 2015
31. HDL, LDL and total cholesterol in healthy and septic neonatal foals
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MARIELLA, JOLE, FRECCERO, FRANCESCA, LANCI, ALIAI, DONDI, FRANCESCO, CASTAGNETTI, CAROLINA, Taddei L., Mariella J., Freccero F., Lanci A., Dondi F., Taddei L., and Castagnetti C.
- Subjects
sepsis ,HDL-CHOLESTEROL ,animal diseases ,parasitic diseases ,total cholesterol ,LDL-cholesterol ,lipids (amino acids, peptides, and proteins) ,digestive system ,Foal - Abstract
Total cholesterol (TC), HDL- and LDL-cholesterol have never been investigated in neonatal foals. The aims of this study were: a) to measure serum TC, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol in healthy foals at birth (T0) and after 72 hours (T72), and in septic foals at admission, b) to evaluate if any difference exists between healthy and septic foals and between surviving and non-surviving septic foals. Twenty-five foals ≤3 day-old were included: 13 healthy and 12 septic foals (mean age 24 ±18 hours), on the basis of positive blood culture and systemic inflammatory response. TC, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol were measured with colorimetric methods. Data were analyzed with paired and independent t-test, or 1-way ANOVA, and reported as mean ±sd. In healthy foals, TC, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol at T0 (TC 143 ±28 mg/dL; HDL- 31 ±12 mg/dL; LDL-cholesterol 101 ±27 mg/dL) were significantly lower than at T72 (TC 185 ±49 mg/dL; HDL- 50 ±6 mg/dL; LDL-cholesterol 124 ±43 mg/dL) (p
- Published
- 2014
32. Obesity and gestation in Criollo mares: endocrine and metabolic profiles.
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Pardié M, Kalpokas I, Freccero F, Castagnetti C, and Meikle A
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- Animals, Horses, Female, Pregnancy, Insulin blood, Blood Glucose analysis, Insulin Resistance physiology, Adiponectin blood, Body Composition, Cholesterol blood, Pregnancy Complications veterinary, Pregnancy Complications blood, Pregnancy, Animal blood, Obesity veterinary, Obesity metabolism, Obesity blood, Leptin blood, Horse Diseases blood
- Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of body condition score (BCS) on metabolic and endocrine parameters in pregnant Criollo mares (n=41), which were categorized according to their BCS as obese (7 to 9 BCS, n=26) or normal (5 to 7, n=15). Blood samples were taken during gestation in 3 periods: between 3.5 and 5 months (I), 8 and 9 months (II) and in the last month of gestation (III). The data was analyzed in the statistical model by mixed procedures, including BCS, gestational period and their interaction as fixed effects. BCS was only different in period I, as normal mares increased their BCS in the later periods. Leptin concentrations were greater in obese mares when compared to non-obese mares during all sampling periods (P<0.01), while glucose concentrations were also greater in the former group (P<0.01) but only during the first sampling period. Insulin concentrations and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index were greater also in obese mares in periods I and III (P<0.05). Adiponectin concentrations in period I were lower in obese mares (P<0.05). Cholesterol concentrations increased during gestation, and obese mares tended to have greater concentrations than nonobese mares (P<0.1). Triglyceride concentrations were not affected by group or gestational period. This study revealed adaptations in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism during gestation in mares. Several parameters are dependent on the degree of body fat reserves, which are reflected in the concentrations of biomarkers such as leptin and adiponectin. Insulin concentration in obese mares was higher than non-obese mares at the end of gestation, a similar profile was observed for HOMA-IR although cutoff values are yet still to be validated., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None of the authors have any conflicts of interest to declare., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)
- Published
- 2024
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33. Evaluation of a smartphone electrocardiograph in healthy foals and comparison to standard base-apex electrocardiography.
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Bindi F, Vezzosi T, Sala G, Freccero F, Marmorini P, Bonelli F, and Sgorbini M
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- Animals, Electrocardiography veterinary, Heart Rate, Horses, Prospective Studies, Arrhythmias, Cardiac diagnosis, Arrhythmias, Cardiac veterinary, Horse Diseases, Smartphone
- Abstract
Smartphone-based technology for ECG recording has recently spread as a complementary tool for electrocardiographic screening and monitoring in adult horses and in other animal species. The present study aimed to assess the feasibility and accuracy of a smartphone-based ECG in healthy foals. This was a prospective observational study (authorization n. 45,865/2016) including 22 foals aged less than 21 days. A reference standard base-apex ECG (rECG) was acquired, and a smartphone ECG (sECG) was recorded immediately after by using a smartphone-based single lead electrocardiograph. All ECG tracings were evaluated in a blind fashion by a single board-certified cardiologist, who judged whether the tracings were acceptable for interpretation and performed ECG measurements and diagnosis. The Spearman correlation coefficient, the Cohen's k test and the Bland-Altman test were used to assess the agreement between sECG and rECG. All sECG tracings were acceptable for interpretation. All foals showed sinus rhythm on both rRCG and sECG tracings, with perfect agreement in heart rate classification (κ = 0.87; p < 0.001). No clinically relevant differences were found in the assessment of waves and intervals duration. Concerning P wave and QRS complex polarity, the percentage of agreement between rECG and sECG was 78% and 83%, respectively. About ECG tracing quality, rECG and sECG showed a substantial agreement (κ = 0.624; p < 0.001). In conclusion, the smartphone-based ECG device tested in the present study recorded good quality single-lead ECG tracings in foals, reliable for heart rate and ECG measurements, but different polarity of P waves and QRS complexes was found in some foals in comparison to rECG., (© 2023. The Author(s).)
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- 2024
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34. A Retrospective Study on the Status of Working Equids Admitted to an Equine Clinic in Cairo: Disease Prevalence and Associations between Physical Parameters and Outcome.
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Benedetti B, Freccero F, Barton J, Elmallah F, Refat S, and Padalino B
- Abstract
Working equids are often used to exhaustion, living and dying in conditions below minimal welfare standards. Due to their poor welfare status, euthanasia should be considered in certain conditions. The study aimed to describe the population and the disease frequency of the working equids admitted at an equine clinic in Cairo (i.e., Egypt Equine Aid (EEA)) from 2019 to 2022 and identify possible associations between physical parameters at admission and the outcome. Records of 1360 equids admitted at EEA were reviewed. The majority of the admitted equids were horses (65.6%), followed by donkeys (33%), in particular stallions (68.7%), from 1 to 15 years old (74.8%). Hospitalisation was mainly due to wounds (28.9%), orthopaedic problems (27.4%), colic (8.5%), or infectious diseases (7.4%). The majority of the equids were discharged, but 5.1% died on their own, without human intervention, and 23% were euthanised. Text mining revealed the anamnesis's most frequent words were 'accident', 'lameness', and 'wound'. In addition, owners sometimes reported using inappropriate remedies (e.g., firing) before hospitalisation. Multivariable ordinal regression analysis performed between physical parameters and the outcome (ordered based on severity: discharged, euthanasia, and dead) revealed that sex (male vs. female: OR = 1.33; p < 0.05), colour of the mucous membrane (pathological vs. physiological: OR = 1.72; p < 0.01), and capillary refill time (pathological vs. physiological: OR = 1.42; p = 0.02) increased the likelihood of a non-survival outcome. In conclusion, early euthanasia should be considered for these equids, to minimise prolonged suffering. Moreover, owners' education is recommended to guarantee minimal welfare standards to the working equids.
- Published
- 2024
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35. Identification of asinine gamma herpesviruses in a donkey with interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, pleural effusion and thrombocytopenia.
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Imposimato I, Muscatello LV, Ellero N, Lelli D, Mira F, Sarli G, and Freccero F
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- Horses, Animals, Equidae, Pulmonary Fibrosis veterinary, Pulmonary Fibrosis pathology, Herpesviridae Infections complications, Herpesviridae Infections veterinary, Herpesviridae Infections diagnosis, Herpesviridae, Pleural Effusion veterinary, Thrombocytopenia veterinary, Horse Diseases diagnosis
- Abstract
A 23-year-old domestic donkey (Equus asinus) referred for severe respiratory distress due to suspected equine asthma. Ultrasound of the chest revealed bilateral irregular pulmonary consolidation and pleural effusion. Airway endoscopy and tracheal wash cytology showed severe neutrophilic inflammation and bacterial culture was positive for Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus. Despite aggressive treatment, the donkey died in 48 hours. On post-mortem examination, the lung was whitish, collapsed, and firm, with fibrotic multifocal nodular areas. Pleural effusion and pleuritis were detected. Histologically, the lung architecture was markedly replaced by interstitial fibrosis. The histological features observed were suggestive of a severe chronic fibrosing interstitial pleuropneumonia with type 2 pneumocyte hyperplasia and intralesional syncytial cells. Pulmonary fibrosis was associated with the presence of asinine gammaherpesvirus 2 and 5 infection, confirmed by PCR and sequence analysis. The macroscopic and histological pattern of fibrosis was diffuse and interstitial, and the nodular lesions were consistent with spared lung parenchyma, instead of the canonical nodular distribution of the fibrosis observed in equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis. Asinine herpesviral pulmonary fibrosis is uncommon, but should be considered by clinicians in the list of differentials in donkeys with chronic respiratory signs., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
36. Corneal Ulcers in Critically Ill Foals in Intensive Care: Case Series of Standard Treatment and Corneal Cross-Linking.
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Imposimato I, Mariella J, Freccero F, and Gialletti R
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- Horses, Animals, Corneal Cross-Linking veterinary, Photosensitizing Agents therapeutic use, Ulcer drug therapy, Ulcer veterinary, Critical Illness therapy, Riboflavin therapeutic use, Anti-Bacterial Agents therapeutic use, Critical Care, Fluoresceins therapeutic use, Corneal Ulcer drug therapy, Corneal Ulcer veterinary, Horse Diseases drug therapy
- Abstract
Riboflavin/UV-A corneal cross-linking (CXL) has been applied to treat corneal ulcers in adult horses, but its use in critically ill neonatal foals has not been described. Five cases of hospitalized, critically ill neonatal foals that were in intensive care with corneal ulcers, the ophthalmic treatment, and their outcome up to 1 year are described. A single treatment of CXL phototherapy was performed in three of five foals (five eyes). The application of a riboflavin ophthalmic solution for 20 minutes was followed by the UV-A light irradiation at 30 mW/cm2 for 3 minutes. Topical antibiotic administration was withdrawn after CXL. Two other foals received standard treatment. Descriptions of ocular lesions, fluorescein staining, and photographic documentation were recorded. The visual outcome, corneal transparency, and aesthetics, as well as healing time were evaluated in the follow-up. The frequency of topical medication considerably decreased in cases treated with CXL. Corneal opacity and pain decreased within 3 days following CXL. In the foals treated with CXL, the ulcers healed (fluorescein stain negative) in 24, 28, and 35 days after the onset of clinical signs and 10, 15, and 21, after CXL. No fibrosis or corneal scars were found in the cases treated with CXL. The two standard treatment cases healed after 26 and 36 days respectively. Corneal cross-linking may be an additional or alternative treatment of corneal ulcers in critically ill neonatal foals and may reduce the use of antibiotics., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None. A/uthors don't have financial or personal relationships with people or organizations that could inappropriately influence the content of the paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2023
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37. Effects of Transport and Feeding Strategies Before Transportation on Redox Homeostasis and Gastric Ulceration in Horses.
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Gharehaghajlou Y, Raidal SL, Freccero F, and Padalino B
- Subjects
- Horses, Animals, Female, Gastroscopy veterinary, Oxidation-Reduction, Stomach Ulcer veterinary, Horse Diseases
- Abstract
Transportation may lead to oxidative stress (OS) and gastric ulceration in horses, and optimal feed management before, or during, transportation is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of transportation after three different feeding strategies on OS and to explore possible associations between OS and equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS). Twenty-six mares were transported by truck for 12 hours without food or water. Horses were randomly divided into 3 groups; (1) fed 1 hour before departure (BD), (2) fed 6 hours BD, (3) fed 12 hours BD. Clinical examinations and blood collections were performed at approximately 4 hours BD (T0), at unloading (T1), 8 hours (T2) and 60 hours (T3) after unloading. Gastroscopy was conducted prior to departure, and at T1 and T3. Although OS parameters remained in the normal range, transportation was associated with increased reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMS) at unloading (P=0.004), with differences between horses fed 1 hour and 12 hours BD (P < .05). The level of total antioxidant (PTAS) was affected by both transportation and feeding strategy (P = 0.019), with horses fed 1 hour BD demonstrating greater PTAS at T = 0, and a different response in comparison with the other groups and the literature. Nine horses demonstrated clinically significant ulceration of the squamous mucosa at T1 but, although weak correlations were evident between OS parameters and ulcer scores, univariate logistic regression showed no associations. This study suggests that feed management prior to a long journey (12 hours) may affect oxidative balance. Further studies are needed to understand the nexus between feed management before and during transport, transport-related OS and EGUS., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2023
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38. Blood Gas, Acid-Base and Electrolyte Analysis in Healthy Dromedary Camel Calves up to 21 Days of Life.
- Author
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Osman T, Probo M, Monaco D, Shafiek HK, and Freccero F
- Abstract
The importance of prompt evaluation and care of the newborn is essential for reducing neonatal mortality, which represents a major cause of loss in camelids. This study investigated the blood gases, acid-base and electrolyte profiles in healthy dromedary calves during the first 3 weeks of life, assessing possible associations with age. Twenty-one dromedary camel calves aged 1 to 21 days were sampled, and venous whole blood analyzed through a VETSTAT® analyzer. The following parameters were measured: sodium (Na
+ ), potassium (K+ ), chloride (Cl- ), hydrogen ion concentration (pH), partial pressure carbon dioxide (pCO2 ), partial pressure oxygen (pO2 ), total hemoglobin concentration (tHb), hemoglobin oxygen saturation (sO2 ), total carbon dioxide (tCO2 ), bicarbonate (HCO3 - ), base excess (BE) and anion gap (AG). Calves were divided in two groups; younger calves (1-10 d), and older calves (11-21 d). Statistical analysis showed an effect of age, with lower K+ ( p < 0.001) and higher Na+ and Cl- ( p < 0.05) mean concentrations in the younger calves compared to the older ones, and higher pCO2 and lower sO2 mean concentrations in the older group. These preliminary results firstly described the blood gas, acid-base and electrolyte profiles in the healthy dromedary calf during the first 3 weeks of age, suggesting an effect of age on some parameters.- Published
- 2023
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- View/download PDF
39. Assessment of the microvascular perfusion using sidestream dark-field imaging in healthy newborn foals.
- Author
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Freccero F, Di Maio C, Mariella J, Lanci A, Castagnetti C, and Hallowell G
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- Animals, Horses, Reproducibility of Results, Microcirculation, Perfusion veterinary, Animals, Newborn
- Abstract
Background: Different methods to measure tissue perfusion are available in equine neonatology, but they are not representative of microvascular derangements., Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of the sidestream dark-field (SDF) capillaroscopy to visualize the capillary microvasculature in conscious newborn foals, the differences between two imaging sites and times of measurements, and the measurements' reproducibility., Methods: Seventeen healthy newborn foals were enrolled. Three sites at the upper and lower lip mucosa were assessed by SDF, using a hand-held capiscope, at 24 h and at 4-5 days after birth. Videos were assessed independently by two observers for quality and for semiquantitative calculation of microvascular parameters, including vascular density (VD), microvascular flow index (MFI), proportion of perfused vessels (PPV), and functional capillary density (FCD). Data were analyzed using unpaired and paired Student's T-tests to assess differences between sites and time-points. Bland-Altman plots and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were used to assess measurement reproducibility., Results: Differences were found between the upper and the lower lip for VD at both 24 h and 4-5 days, and for FCD at 24 h, and between the two time-points for PPV at the lower lip. ICC for measurement reproducibility was good for all parameters (0.64-0.79) for the lower lip, and was good for VD and FCD (0,76-0,79) and fair to moderate for MFI and PPV (0.31-0.41) for the upper lip., Conclusions: Measurement of the capillary microvasculature is feasible in the conscious newborn foal. The lower lip has the best measurement reproducibility. Further investigations are warranted in cardiovascularly compromised cases, particularly in septic foals., (© 2022 The Authors. Veterinary Medicine and Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)
- Published
- 2023
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40. Effects of Intra-Uterine Fluid Accumulation after Artificial Insemination on Luteal Function in Mares.
- Author
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Freccero F, Mislei B, Bucci D, Dondi F, and Mari G
- Abstract
After breeding or artificial insemination, especially with frozen/thawed semen, mares often develop a persistent uterine inflammation, which is diagnosed by intra-uterine fluid accumulation. Here, we explored whether intra-uterine fluid accumulation affects corpus luteum function and tested the hypothesis that intra-uterine fluid accumulation after artificial insemination alters blood flow in the corpus luteum and plasma progesterone concentrations. A total of 40 Standardbred mares were artificially inseminated with frozen-thawed semen 30 to 36 h after induction of ovulation, and cases with or without intra-uterine fluid accumulation were detected by ultrasound 12 h after insemination. Luteal blood flow was measured by Power Doppler ultrasonography 3 and 6 days after ovulation, progesterone concentration was measured in peripheral plasma by ELISA 6 days after ovulation, and pregnancy was diagnosed by ultrasonography 14 days after ovulation. Luteal blood flow increased between 3 and 6 days after ovulation, but blood flow did not differ significantly between cases with (n = 28) and without (n = 25) intra-uterine fluid accumulation after insemination. Surprisingly, progesterone concentrations were higher in cases of intra-uterine fluid accumulation than cases without (9.3 ± 1.1 vs. 6.6 ± 0.5 ng/mL, p = 0.048). Pregnancy was less likely in cases with intra-uterine fluid accumulation than in cases without (10/28 vs. 17/25, p = 0.019), and there was a negative correlation between the severity of intra-uterine fluid accumulation and per cycle pregnancy rate. These data suggest that although intra-uterine fluid accumulation increases the secretion of progesterone, pregnancy is more dependent on uterine health than ovarian function.
- Published
- 2022
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41. Hair Cortisol and DHEA-S in Foals and Mares as a Retrospective Picture of Feto-Maternal Relationship under Physiological and Pathological Conditions.
- Author
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Lanci A, Mariella J, Ellero N, Faoro A, Peric T, Prandi A, Freccero F, and Castagnetti C
- Abstract
Equine fetal hair starts to grow at around 270 days of pregnancy, and hair collected at birth reflects hormones of the last third of pregnancy. The study aimed to evaluate cortisol (CORT) and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) concentrations and their ratio in the trichological matrix of foals and mares in relation to their clinical parameters; the clinical condition of the neonate (study 1); the housing place at parturition (study 2). In study 1, 107 mare-foal pairs were divided into healthy (group H; n = 56) and sick (group S; n = 51) foals, whereas in study 2, group H was divided into hospital (n = 30) and breeding farm (n = 26) parturition. Steroids from hair were measured using a solid-phase microtiter radioimmunoassay. In study 1, hair CORT concentrations measured in foals did not differ between groups and did not appear to be influenced by clinical parameters. A correlation between foal and mare hair CORT concentrations (p = 0.019; r = 0.312, group H; p = 0.006; r = 0.349, group S) and between CORT and DHEA-S concentrations in foals (p = 0.018; r = 0.282, group H; p < 0.001; r = 0.44, group S) and mares (p = 0.006; r = 0.361, group H; p = 0.027; r = 0.271, group S) exists in both groups. Increased hair DHEA-S concentrations (p = 0.033) and decreased CORT/DHEA-S ratio (p < 0.001) appear to be potential biomarkers of chronic stress in the final third of pregnancy, as well as a potential sign of resilience and allostatic load in sick foals, and deserve further attention in the evaluation of prenatal hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity in the equine species. In study 2, hormone concentrations in the hair of mares hospitalized for attended parturition did not differ from those that were foaled at the breeding farm. This result could be related to a too brief period of hospitalization to cause significant changes in steroid deposition in the mare’s hair.
- Published
- 2022
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42. Ex vivo ultrasonographic and histological morphometry of small intestinal wall layers in horses.
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Diana A, Freccero F, Giancola F, Linta N, Pietra M, Luca V, Salamanca G, Cipone M, and Chiocchetti R
- Subjects
- Animals, Duodenum diagnostic imaging, Duodenum pathology, Horses, Jejunum, Prospective Studies, Ultrasonography methods, Ultrasonography veterinary, Intestine, Small diagnostic imaging, Intestines diagnostic imaging
- Abstract
Ultrasonographic morphometry of wall layers is commonly used in veterinary patients with suspected small intestinal disease, however published studies comparing this method with histopathology in horses are limited. This prospective, methods comparison study compared the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of small intestinal wall layers using ex vivo high-frequency ultrasound versus histopathology in a sample of 16 horses. Transverse section images of duodenum, distal jejunum, and ileum were acquired with a high-frequency linear transducer (7-15 MHz). Transverse histological cryosections were obtained at the same level. Appearance and measurements of the intestinal wall layers were assessed on the ultrasonographic and histological images. High-frequency scanning with the probe in close contact with the serosal surface of the equine intestinal wall allowed a clear and detailed definition of wall layers. A hyperechoic line was consistently detected within the tunica muscularis in all the intestinal tracts, corresponding histologically to the interface between its longitudinal and circular muscle layers. The overall trend of the values for wall layers thickness was comparable between ex vivo ultrasonography and histology. However, a poor agreement was found between the two methods for all layers. The ultrasonographic measurements were thicker compared to histological measurements, with the exception of the total wall and the muscular layer thicknesses. These layers were thinner on ultrasonography in the duodenum and in all the intestinal segments, respectively. Findings from the current study can be used as background for future ultrasonographic investigations of small intestinal diseases in horses., (© 2022 The Authors. Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Radiology.)
- Published
- 2022
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43. Development of a Composite Pain Scale in Foals: A Pilot Study.
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Lanci A, Benedetti B, Freccero F, Castagnetti C, Mariella J, van Loon JPAM, and Padalino B
- Abstract
Prompt pain management is crucial in horses; however, tools to assess pain are limited. This study aimed to develop and pilot a composite scale for pain estimation in foals. The "Foal Composite Pain Scale" (FCPS) was developed based on literature and authors' expertise. The FCPS consisted of 11 facial expressions, 4 behavioural items, and 5 physical items. Thirty-five pain-free foals (Control Group) and 15 foals experiencing pain (Pain Group) were used. Foals were video-recorded at different time points: the Control Group only at inclusion (C), while the Pain Group at inclusion (T1), after an analgesic treatment (T2), and at recovery (T3). Physical items were also recorded at the same time points. Videos were scored twice by five trained observers, blinded to group and time points, to calculate inter- and intra-observer reliability of each scale item. Fleiss' kappa values ranged from moderate to almost perfect for the majority of the items, while the intraclass correlation coefficient was excellent (ICC = 0.923). The consistency of FCPS was also excellent (Cronbach's alpha = 0.842). A cut-off ≥ 7 indicated the presence of pain. The Pain Group scores were significantly higher ( p < 0.001) than the Control Group and decreased over time (T1, T2 > T3; p = 0.001). Overall, FCPS seems clinically applicable to quantify pain and improve the judgment of the quality of life in foals, but it needs modifications based on these preliminary findings. Consequently, further studies on a larger sample size are needed to test the feasibility and validity of the refined FCPS.
- Published
- 2022
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44. Fetal Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia and Hydramnios in a Quarter Horse Mare.
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Lanci A, Ingallinesi M, Morini M, Freccero F, Castagnetti C, and Mariella J
- Abstract
Hydramnios is an excessive accumulation of fluid within the amniotic compartment. It is a rare condition in mares, often associated with fetal anomalies. Hydrops of fetal membranes predisposes to the rupture of the prepubic tendon, and many authors suggest the induction of parturition to preserve mare's reproductive career. This report presents the case of a 15-year-old multiparous Quarter Horse mare, referred at 268 days of gestation for suspected hydrops. Repeated ultrasonographic exams confirmed an increase in the depth of the amniotic fluid and reduced fetal viability. During the hospitalization, the mare developed a partial rupture of the prepubic tendon. In this case, a conservative approach was elected, and the mare was treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and an abdominal support bandage. At 327 days of gestation, the mare gave birth to a foal with APGAR score 1. The resuscitation attempt was unsuccessful, and the foal died immediately. A post-mortem examination diagnosed a congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) with pleuroperitoneal diaphragmatic eventration.
- Published
- 2021
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45. Transabdominal ultrasonographic measurement of caudal vena cava to aorta derived ratios in clinically healthy neonatal foals.
- Author
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Del Prete C, Freccero F, Lanci A, Hallowell GD, Bullone C, Castagnetti C, and Pasolini MP
- Subjects
- Animals, Body Weight, Horses, Reproducibility of Results, Ultrasonography veterinary, Aorta diagnostic imaging, Vena Cava, Inferior diagnostic imaging
- Abstract
Background: Ultrasonographic measurement of the vena cava and aorta (Ao) diameters and their ratios have been suggested to be a reliable way of quantifying hypovolemia., Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and reliability of an ultrasonographic technique for measurement of Ao and caudal vena cava (CVC) and derived ratios using three different acoustic windows in a population of healthy neonatal foals. Correlation between Ao and CVC measurements and ratios and foals' age or bodyweight were also investigated., Methods: In 14 healthy foals aged less than 7 days, the diameters of the Ao and of the CVC in long and short axis were measured by two observers from images obtained using three different ultrasonographic imaging planes (left dorsal, left ventral and right views). The Ao and CVC cross-sectional area and the CVC/Ao diameter and area ratios were calculated. Image quality was subjectively assessed. Intraobserver and interobserver reliabilities for image quality scores and measurements were evaluated between the two observers. Simple linear regression models were used to identify correlations between the CVC/Ao measurements and ratios and the age and bodyweight of the foals., Results: The left ventral view showed the highest reliability. A correlation between bodyweight and the short axis measurement of the CVC was found (R
2 = 0.385; p = 0.018). Age was positively correlated with the long axis of measurement of the CVC (R2 = 0.426; p = 0.011) and CVC/Ao diameter ratio (R2 = 0.625; p = 0.001)., Conclusions: The left ventral view allows the Ao and CVC cross sections to be easily visualized and measured in neonatal foals in right lateral recumbency., (© 2021 The Authors Veterinary Medicine and Science Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)- Published
- 2021
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46. Changes in the Fecal Microbiota Associated with a Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Administration in Hospitalized Neonatal Foals with Probiotics Supplementation.
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Freccero F, Lanci A, Mariella J, Viciani E, Quercia S, Castagnetti A, and Castagnetti C
- Abstract
There is a wide array of evidence across species that exposure to antibiotics is associated with dysbiosis, and due to their widespread use, this also raises concerns also in medicine. The study aimed to determine the changes on the fecal microbiota in hospitalized neonatal foals administered with broad-spectrum antimicrobials and supplemented probiotics. Fecal samples were collected at hospital admission (Ta), at the end of the antimicrobial treatment (Te) and at discharge (Td). Feces were analysed by next-generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene on Illumina MiSeq. Seven foals treated with IV ampicillin and amikacin/gentamicin were included. The mean age at Ta was 19 h, the mean treatment length was 7 days and the mean time between Te and Td was 4.3 days. Seven phyla were identified: Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Fusobacteria, Proteobacteria, TM7 and Verrucomicrobia. At Ta, Firmicutes (48.19%) and Proteobacteria (31.56%) were dominant. The alpha diversity decreased from Ta to Te, but it was the highest at Td. The beta diversity was higher at Ta than at Te and higher at Td than at Te. An increase in Akkermansia over time was detected. The results suggest that the intestinal microbiota of neonatal foals rapidly returns to a high diversity after treatment. It is possible that in foals, the effect of antimicrobials is strongly influenced or overshadowed by the time-dependent changes in the developing gut microbiota.
- Published
- 2021
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47. The first case of Tyzzer's disease in a young foal in Italy: a case report.
- Author
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Ellero N, Lanci A, Avallone G, Mariella J, Castagnetti C, Muscatello LV, Di Maio C, and Freccero F
- Subjects
- Animals, Clostridium, Horses, Italy, Clostridium Infections diagnosis, Clostridium Infections veterinary, Horse Diseases diagnosis
- Abstract
Seizures, coma and death rapidly appeared after admission in a one ‑month‑old foal with a history of lethargy, fever and anorexia. Severe icterus and necrotizing hepatitis were observed at necropsy. Clinical signs, laboratory and postmortem findings were compatible with a suspect of clostridial hepatitis. Tyzzer’s disease was confirmed by the presence of organisms morphologically consistent with Clostridium piliforme in the hepatocytes at the margins of multiple areas of hepatic necrosis. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported case of clostridial hepatitis caused by Clostridium piliforme in a horse in Italy.
- Published
- 2021
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48. Adrenal Gland Ultrasonographic Measurements and Plasma Hormone Concentrations in Clinically Healthy Newborn Thoroughbred and Standardbred Foals.
- Author
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Lauteri E, Mariella J, Beccati F, Roelfsema E, Castagnetti C, Pepe M, Peric T, Barbato O, Montillo M, Rouge S, and Freccero F
- Abstract
Adrenal hormones, ACTH plasma concentrations and the ultrasonographic evaluation of the adrenal glands are considered complementary in clinical evaluations of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function in several species. In dogs, age, size and weight have a significant effect on the ultrasonographic size of the adrenal glands. In neonatal foals, ultrasonographic evaluation and measurements of the adrenal glands have been demonstrated to be reliable; however, the effect of individual variables on ultrasonographic features has not been investigated, and the clinical usefulness of adrenal gland ultrasonography is still not known. The aims of this study were: (i) to provide and compare adrenal glands ultrasound measurements in healthy newborn Thoroughbred and Standardbred foals, and assess any effect of age, weight and sex on them; (ii) to assess and compare ACTH and steroid hormone concentrations in healthy neonatal foals of the two breeds. Venous blood samples and ultrasonographic images of the adrenal glands were collected from 10 healthy neonatal Thoroughbred and 10 healthy neonatal Standardbred foals. Ultrasonographic measurements of the adrenal glands were obtained and adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), progesterone (P4) and aldosterone plasma concentrations were assessed. The ACTH/cortisol, ACTH/progesterone, ACTH/aldosterone, ACTH/DHEA and cortisol/DHEA ratios were calculated. A significant positive correlation was found between the height of the right adrenal gland and the foal's weight; the width of the right and left adrenal gland and the medulla was significantly lower in Thoroughbreds than in Standardbreds. Cortisol and ACTH plasma concentrations were significantly higher and lower, respectively, in Thoroughbreds compared with Standardbreds. The cortisol/DHEA ratio was significantly higher in Thoroughbreds. This study provides reference ranges for neonatal Thoroughbred and Standardbred foals, and suggests the presence of breed-related differences in ultrasonographic adrenal gland measurements, plasmatic cortisol and ACTH concentrations. The higher cortisol/DHEA ratio detected in Thoroughbred foals could suggest a different response to environmental stimulation in the two breeds.
- Published
- 2021
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49. Venous blood gas parameters, electrolytes, glucose and lactate concentration in sick neonatal foals: Direct venipuncture versus push-pull technique.
- Author
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Del Prete C, Lanci A, Cocchia N, Freccero F, Di Maio C, Castagnetti C, Mariella J, and Micieli F
- Subjects
- Animals, Electrolytes blood, Glucose, Horses, Lactic Acid blood, Animals, Newborn, Prospective Studies, Blood Specimen Collection veterinary, Horse Diseases blood, Horse Diseases diagnosis
- Abstract
Background: Blood collection by indwelling intravenous catheter (IVC) avoids repeated venipuncture, which could cause thrombophlebitis risk, anxiety and pain in patients., Objectives: To compare blood gas parameters, electrolytes, glucose, lactate and haematocrit concentration obtained from venous blood samples collected via a jugular IVC by push-pull (PP) technique to those obtained by venipuncture in hospitalised foals, at the time of catheter placement (T0) and 24 hours after the beginning of intravenous therapy (T24)., Study Design: Prospective observational study., Methods: Paired blood samples were drawn from hospitalised foals at T0 and T24. In each foal, one venous blood sample was collected via IVC by the following PP technique: 2.4 mL of blood was aspirated and immediately reinfused through the catheter three times consecutively, then 1 mL of blood was collected using a 1 mL heparinised syringe. Thereafter, another sample was collected by direct venipuncture of the contralateral jugular vein, with an identical 1 mL heparinised syringe, with a 1-inch, 20-G needle. All samples were analysed with an automated blood gas analyser within 10 minutes of collection. The agreement between the two techniques was assessed by Bland-Altman analysis and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)., Results: The level of agreement of blood gas values obtained by the two different techniques was high with very small bias and clinically acceptable ICC (>0.907 at T0; >0.794 at T24) for all variables, except for haematocrit (bias -3.52 at T0; -2.44 at T24) and PvO
2 at T0 and T24 (ICC 0.669 and 0.733, respectively)., Main Limitations: Potential sub-clinical catheter-related complications were not investigated by ultrasound or bacterial culture of the catheter; short duration of the study., Conclusions: PP technique appears to be acceptable for collection of blood samples for venous blood gas parameters, as well as electrolytes, glucose and lactate in sick neonatal foals., (© 2020 EVJ Ltd.)- Published
- 2021
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50. Ultrasonographic measurement of the adrenal gland in neonatal foals: reliability of the technique and assessment of variation in healthy foals during the first five days of life.
- Author
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Lauteri E, Mariella J, Beccati F, De Graaf-Roelfsema E, Castagnetti C, Pepe M, Peric T, Barbato O, Montillo M, Rouge S, and Freccero F
- Subjects
- Animals, Female, Horses, Reproducibility of Results, Ultrasonography veterinary, Adrenal Glands diagnostic imaging, Animals, Newborn physiology, Horse Diseases diagnostic imaging
- Abstract
Background: Adrenal gland ultrasonographic measurements are useful in clinical evaluation of patients with adrenal dysfunction in several species. In human healthy neonates, the ultrasonographic size of the adrenal glands decreases during the first days of life. Ultrasonography of adrenal glands was demonstrated to be feasible in neonatal foals. The aims of this study were to describe a technique for ultrasonographic measurement of adrenal gland size to test its reliability in neonatal foals, and to assess any variation of ultrasonographic measurements during the first five days of life in healthy foals., Methods: First, measurements of the adrenal glands were retrospectively obtained by three observers in 26 adrenal gland images of 13 healthy and sick neonatal foals. The interobserver and intraobserver agreement were tested. Later, adrenal gland ultrasonographic images and measurements were acquired by one operator in 11 healthy neonatal foals at one, three and five days of life and differences among the measurements obtained at the different time points were assessed., Results: Interobserver agreement ranged from fair to excellent (0.48-0.92), except for cortex width (<0.4); intraobserver agreement ranged from good to excellent (0.52-0.98). No significant differences were found among the measurements obtained at one, three and five days of life., Conclusion: Adrenal glands ultrasonographic measurements can be obtained consistently in equine neonates, and in contrast to people they do not vary during the first five days of life in healthy foals., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© British Veterinary Association 2020. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
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