title: Clinical Research Abstracts of the British Equine Veterinary Association Congress 2015.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Equine gastric glandular disease (EGGD) is a common condition, for which the underlying pathophysiology is undetermined. Endoscopic mucosal biopsies have been proposed as a method for adapting therapy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate diagnostic information obtained from endoscopic mucosal biopsies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, experimental study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one horses undergoing elective humane slaughter were subjected to gross examination of the glandular mucosa. Glandular pathology was graded using EGUS Council guidelines from digital camera images. Mucosal biopsies were obtained using a 'single-bite' (1.8 mm; A and 2.4 mm; B) or 'double bite' technique (2.4 mm; C) using endoscopic biopsy instruments. Tissue was formalin fixed, processed and stained using standard protocols. Inflammatory infiltrates visualised histologically were graded (mild, moderate or severe) and compared with ulcer grade. Full thickness biopsies were also obtained adjacent to the biopsy site and of other visual lesions and inflammatory cell counts were compared with mucosal biopsies using ICC.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Full thickness samples were artefact free and allowed visualisation of all layers. Mucosal biopsy samples contained mucosa in all samples, submucosa in 55% (C), 61% (A) and 66% (B) of samples and glands in 50% (B), 66% (A) and 100% (C). Samples from A were too small for histological assessment (33%) and tissue damage was commonly seen in A and B (n = 8 and n = 10) when compared with C (n = 3). Horses with normal glandular appearance (grade 0; n = 7) mostly demonstrated mild gastritis (n = 5). Severe gastritis was identified in mild EGGD (grade 1/2), whilst mild and moderate gastritis was identified in all EGGD grades. There was no histological evidence of ulceration or erosion. There was poor agreement between cell numbers and sampling techniques (ICC<0.29).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data show lack of ulcerative pathology and instead inflammation in EGGD. Lesion appearance is a poor indicator of underlying severity. Mucosal biopsies offer limited value in predicting underlying disease. Ethical animal research: This study was approved by the University of Nottingham Ethics and Welfare Committee. The study was performed on material collected at an abattoir.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  None. Competing interests: None declared.
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Crumpton
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Baiker
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK.
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Hallowell
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Habershon-Butcher
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK.
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Bowen