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• Quadricuspid aortic valve is a rare congenital heart defect. • Echocardiography is a useful tool for quadricuspid aortic valve diagnosis. • Prevalence of this congenital heart defect remains unknown in the horse. A 16-year-old horse, 400 kg, male, Quarter horse gelding was examined for a cardiac murmur that had not been previously heard. Physical examination revealed a regularly irregular pulse and a grade III/VI, decrescendo, diastolic murmur with a point of maximum intensity over the left heart base. Base-apex standard electrocardiographic examination at rest showed sinus rhythm with second-degree atrio-ventricular blocks. Echocardiography identified the presence of four aortic valve cusps, two equal larger and two unequal smaller cusps. Color flow Doppler examination showed a diastolic regurgitant jet emerging from the central region of closed aortic valve. Based on clinical and echocardiographic findings a diagnosis of mild to moderate aortic valve insufficiency secondary to quadricuspid aortic valve was made. This report describes a rare congenital heart defect that can be detected by transthoracic echocardiography in the horse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new formulation of omeprazole in gastro-resistant granules was tested with regard to its pharmacokinetics and tolerability. Twenty-four horses were randomly divided into three groups (8 horses/group) and treated, according a parallel study design, as follows: Group A untreated (control group), Group B received 4 mg/kg of omeprazole, and Group C received 12 mg/kg of omeprazole, both of which were treated orally once a day for 90 days. Blood samples, taken from Group B subjects during the 1st and the 29th day of treatment at pre-established time points, were used to determine the concentration-time curves of omeprazole. The treatments were found to be safe and well tolerated by the horses. The serum hematological and biochemical values were within reference ranges for the entire observational time. No accumulation of the drug was found after 29 days of treatment. Lower Cmax and AUCs were obtained at the 29th day of treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Equine Squamous Gastric Disease (ESGD) and Equine Glandular Gastric Disease (EGGD) are two terms used to indicate the presence of lesions of the squamous and glandular mucosa of the stomach. Prevalences, pathophysiology, and risk factors are different, and the latter have been investigated in different populations. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of ESGD and EGGD in a cohort of pleasure, breeding, and retired horses in Italy. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to investigate such a diverse population of animals and the first one that includes a large number of animals in Italy. Gastroscopies were performed in 316 animals, with and without clinical signs of gastric ulcers, and a questionnaire about signalment, management, activity, and health was given to the owners or caretakers. Prevalence of ESGD was similar to the current literature reports in comparable populations, and the disease was associated with signalment, time with the current owner or caretaker, management (time and type of paddock, hay, and supplementary feed administered), and activity performed. In this population, EGGD was present in a lower percentage of animals and, of the parameters evaluated, was associated only with the signalment, while management does not seem to influence the development of lesions in the glandular mucosa in this population.

Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) is a worldwide disease, and includes two different syndromes, Equine Squamous Gastric Disease (ESGD), affecting the squamous mucosa, and Equine Glandular Gastric Disease (EGGD), affecting the glandular mucosa. These two diseases are present in different categories (different activities, ages, etc.) and breeds of horses. The effect of sex on gastric health is not clear: some studies found a higher prevalence of ESGD in geldings and stallions, while others found no influence of sex on the squamous mucosa. The few studies conducted on glandular diseases failed to identify sex as a risk factor. The only study on breeding horses, focused on Thoroughbred mares at pasture, found that 70% of them were affected by gastric ulcerations especially in the squamous mucosa. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of EGUS, ESGD, and EGGD in intact males while also investigating the potential influences of breeding and exercise activity on the occurrence and severity of the diseases. A total of 101 intact males were admitted for gastroscopic examination. Comprehensive data regarding their breeding and sports history, management, and presence of clinical signs were recorded. A statistical analysis was performed. Within this equine population, no discernible relationship was found between breeding activity and occurrence and severity of ESGD or EGGD. Exercise and a combination of exercise and breeding activities were found to be associated with the occurrence of EGGD. The presence of clinical signs was correlated only with the grade of ESGD in this cohort of horses., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Equine Gastric Ulcers Syndrome (EGUS) is a worldwide disease present in equids of different breeds, activity levels, and age groups. It is divided into two different illnesses: Equine Squamous Gastric Disease (ESGD) affecting the squamous mucosa and Equine Glandular Gastric Disease (EGGD) affecting the glandular mucosa. The historical horserace is a traditional competition that is common in Italy. They can be divided into two different types: speed races and jousting tournaments. Anglo-Arabians and Thoroughbreds are used for the two competitions with training and management systems similar to those used in races performed on a racetrack. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of ESGD and EGGD in horses used for historical horseracing and evaluate the differences in the presence of the diseases in animals of the two different breeds used for the two types of competition. A cohort of 73 horses was enrolled in this study, which were stabled in 10 training facilities and performed two jousting tournaments and one speed race. An ESGD at least of grade 2 was found in 88% of horses with all degrees of severity seen; EGGD was diagnosed in 45% of animals. In this cohort of horses, the presence and severity of ESGD and EGGD are similar to that in reports in racehorses performing on racetracks. Anglo-Arabians used for speed races are more affected by ESGD and EGGD, which is probably because they are involved in a higher number of races and travel more during the year compared to Thoroughbreds used for jousting competitions.

Obesity and overconditioning are becoming more prevalent in horses, and are influencing the animal's health, activity, and reproductive efficiency. Body condition score (BCS) and cresty neck score (CNS) have been correlated with the development of various diseases. Many of the papers in the literature evaluate the prevalence of obesity and overconditioning in horse populations considering BCS given by owners. The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of the owners' estimation of the degree of equine obesity or overconditioning by comparing BCS and CNS provided by each owner and a board-certified vet to a cohort of 259 horses and their agreement based on age, breed, sex, and activity of the animals. Overconditioning was present in 29% and 24% of horses according to the owners and the vet, respectively, and obesity in 2% and 1%, respectively. Agreement between BCS and CNS given by the owners and the vet was slight, with owners scoring horses either lower or higher than the vet. Agreement between the owners and the vet assessment was also influenced by age, breed, sex, and activity of the animals. Education of owners and caretakers to correctly assess BCS and CNS and regular evaluation of the animals throughout the year is important to prevent the development of obesity and overconditioning and related diseases.

Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) is a worldwide disease of the stomach that can be found in different categories of horses. Different clinical signs may be present, but a large number of horses are asymptomatic. The aim of this study was to identify a possible correlation between body condition score (BCS) and EGUS in a population of horses. A total of 203 non-athlete horses were submitted for gastroscopies, and the presence and severity of lesions of the glandular and squamous mucosa were recorded. A board-certified veterinarian blinded to the gastroscopy results assessed the BCS of the horse. In the study population, no correlation was found between BCS and the presence of gastric lesions in either the glandular or the squamous mucosa. The disease of the squamous or glandular mucosa cannot be excluded based only on the presence of normal or increased BCS in non-athlete horses.

Background: Although peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) is considered the most useful index of functional capacity, it's difficult to interpret the results of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). In fact, VO2peak is usually normalized for total body weight, but body composition in persons with SCI largely varies depending on physical activity and time since injury, with a progressive loss of fat-free mass (FFM). This can lead to a misinterpretation of the cardiopulmonary fitness in this population., Aim: Our study proposes a methodology of evaluation, based on bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), which could provide more individualized and accurate data in sportsmen with SCI., Design: Case-control study., Population: Ambulatory patients at the Sports Medicine Unit of the IRCCS A. Gemelli University Polyclinic Foundation, Rome, Italy., Methods: Comparison of data derived from BIA, echocardiography and CPET between 10 male sportsmen with complete, high SCI (group T) and 10 able-bodied controls (group C)., Results: Mean VO2peak, weight-normalized VO2peak, fat-free mass (FFM)-normalized VO2peak and body cellular mass (BCM)-normalized values were significantly lower in group T. At the same heart rate (on average the 55% of the maximal theoretical for age), mean of absolute VO2, weight-normalized VO2 and FFM-normalized VO2 were still significantly lower in group T. Considering the BCM-normalized VO2, the group T showed greater values than controls, 39.4±7.8 vs. 31.1±8.5 mL/kg/min., Conclusions: Body composition is a crucial factor for properly interpreting a CPET in individuals with SCI. In particular, normalization of VO2peak values for the BCM seems the most reliable tool to assess the real functional capacity in this population., Clinical Rehabilitation Impact: A more accurate definition of the aerobic power and functional capacity of people with SCI can improve the monitoring of rehabilitations protocols and physical exercise in this population.

Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) affects various categories of horses worldwide. This syndrome is now divided into two different diseases, based on the presence of lesions on either the squamous (Equine Squamous Gastric Disease, ESGD) or the glandular (Equine Glandular Gastric Disease, EGGD) mucosa. Diagnosis is based on the evaluation of the presence of gastric lesions with gastroscopic examination. As a gastroscopy can be considered expensive by clients, therapy is started often on the basis of clinical signs only. The aim of this study was to validate a questionnaire to detect the risk of developing ESGD or EGGD. The owners of 418 horses that were submitted to gastroscopic evaluation were asked to answer a questionnaire on risk factors for ESGD and EGGD. Horses were divided into three groups based on the results of the questionnaire and their risk of developing gastric lesions. In our population the survey was not useful to detect the presence and the severity of the lesions detected during gastroscopic examination, however answers to some of the questions did correlate with the development of gastric lesions. The questionnaire could therefore be a useful tool to evaluate the risk of ESGD or EGGD. Having owners periodically complete the survey could also make them more aware of changes in the conditions of the horses that could lead to gastric lesions. This could then help them seek advice from veterinarians on how to manage this potential risk., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Pre-participation screening (PPS) of athletes aged over 35 years (master athletes, MA) is a major concern in Sports Cardiology. In this population, sports-related sudden cardiac death is rare but usually due to coronary atherosclerosis (CA). Coronary CT Angiography (CCTA) has changed the approach to diagnosis/management of CA, but its role in this context still needs to be assessed., Methods and Results: We retrospectively examined 167 MA who underwent CCTA in our hospital since 2006, analyzing symptoms, stress-test ECG, cardiovascular risk profiles (SCORE) and CCTA findings. Among the whole enrolled population, 153 (91.6%) MA underwent CCTA for equivocal/positive stress-test ECG with/without symptoms, 13 (7.8%) just for clinical symptoms, 1 (0.6%) for the family history. The CCTA showed the presence of CA in 69 MA (41.3%), congenital coronary anomalies (anomalous origin or deep myocardial bridge) in 8 (4.8%), both in 7 (4.2%). A negative CCTA was observed in 83 MA (49.7%). The risk-SCORE (age, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, smoking) was a good indicator for the presence of moderate/severe CA on CCTA. However, mild/moderate CA was present in 17.8% of MA clinically stratified at a low risk-SCORE., Conclusion: While coronary angiography is more indicated in athletes with positive stress-test ECG and high clinical risk, the CCTA may be useful in the evaluation of MA with an abnormal stress test ECG and/or clinical symptoms engaged in competitive sports with a high cardiovascular involvement. Age, gender, presence of symptoms and clinical risk-SCORE assessment may help sports physicians and cardiologists to decide whether to request a CCTA or not., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In recent years, there has been increasing evidence of the potential pathogenic significance of equine gammaherpesviruses in the horse. In humans, cattle and mice, gammaherpesviruses have already been associated with uterine infection. The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of gammaherpesviruses in uterine flushings of mares with reproductive problems and to evaluate if there was a possible statistical association with clinical and laboratory findings in these cases. A total of 80 uterine flushings were collected from 61 mares with different reproductive problems and these were tested for equine herpesviruses (EHV) 1-5 by PCR. In the case of each mare in the study, the age, history of infertility, presence of anatomical defects in the reproductive tract, presence of systemic or local disease at time of sampling, phase in the oestrous cycle, post-partum interval, nature of uterine lavage performed (low versus large volume lavage), cytological and bacteriological examination results from the uterine flushing, and PCR herpesvirus results were recorded. Univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify possible statistical associations and risk factors. Nine out of 61 mares (14.7%) had EHV-5 DNA in their uterine flushings. Co-infections with EHV-1 and EHV-2 were present in two cases. Of all the variables analyzed, only the cytological examination findings were associated with EHV-5 PCR positive results, both on univariate and multivariable analysis, especially in cases with an inflammation score of 3. It is postulated that presence of EHV-5 infection in the non-pregnant uterus may have a role to play in reproductive dysfunction and have a negative consequence on the pregnant uterus. Additional studies involving both healthy mares and mares with reproductive problems need to be performed, however, to elucidate whatever role equine gammaherpesviruses may play in the reproductive tract. This would be very worthwhile, since reproductive problems can have a significant impact on the equine breeding industry. Gaining a greater understanding of its causes could lead to new approaches for prevention and treatment., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)