title: Increased cartilage oligomeric matrix protein concentrations in equine digital flexor tendon sheath synovial fluid predicts intrathecal tendon damage.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) synovial fluid cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) concentrations as a molecular marker for intrathecal pathology.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case control study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Horses (n=46) with DFTS tenosynovitis; 23 fresh cadaver horses.
  
  
  METHODS
  DFTS synovial fluid samples were collected from clinical cases with noninfected DFTS tenosynovitis and from control DFTS. Clinical and surgical findings were recorded, and dissection of control limbs was performed to confirm the DFTS to be grossly normal. Synovial fluid COMP was quantified using a homologous competitive inhibition ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Abnormalities were identified tenoscopically: intrathecal tendon/ligament tearing was identified in 37 cases and 9 had other lesions. In control horses, synovial fluid COMP was higher in younger horses. Clinical cases with intrathecal tendon/ligament tearing had higher synovial fluid COMP than either clinical cases with other lesions, or controls. In horses ≥5 years old, the sensitivity and specificity of the assay was high for diagnosing intrathecal tendon/ligament tearing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  COMP concentrations in DFTS synovial fluid were significantly greater than those in normal horses with noninfected tenosynovitis caused by intrathecal tendon/ligament tearing, but not by other lesions.
authors.affiliation: Royal Veterinary College, Equine Referral Hospital, North Mymms, UK. matt.smith@neh.uk.com
authors.forename: Matthew R W
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Ian M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: Gaynor J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Minshall
authors.forename: Jay
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dudhia
authors.forename: Kristien
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Verheyen
authors.forename: Dick
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Heinegård
authors.forename: Roger K W
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002102:Cadaver; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006736:Horses; D064235:Matrilin Proteins; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000378:metabolism / Q000662:veterinary*; D013717:Tenosynovitis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D064235:Matrilin Proteins