title: Evaluation of serum amyloid A and haptoglobin concentrations as prognostic indicators for horses with colic.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the use of the acute-phase proteins serum amyloid A (SAA) and haptoglobin as prognostic indicators in horses with colic with regard to the need for surgical intervention, development of complications, and hospitalization cost and duration.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  20 clinically normal horses and 42 horses with colic.
  
  
  METHODS
  Total WBC and neutrophil counts and plasma fibrinogen, SAA, and haptoglobin concentrations were compared between healthy (control) horses and horses admitted to a veterinary teaching hospital for colic. Clinicopathologic values were compared between medical and surgical colic cases to test the ability of acute-phase proteins to predict indication for surgical intervention, development of complications, and duration and cost of hospitalization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean SAA concentration was significantly higher in the surgical group, compared with that for both the control and medical groups. Haptoglobin concentration did not differ significantly among groups. Horses with colic and an abnormally increased SAA concentration (> 5 μg/mL) were more likely to be managed surgically than medically (OR, 5.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.4 to 22.8). Horses with small intestinal lesions had significantly higher SAA concentrations than did control horses. Euthanasia due to a poor prognosis or the development of thrombophlebitis was more likely for horses with an SAA concentration > 5 μg/mL (OR, 7.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 52.4). A weak positive correlation (r = 0.30) was observed between cost of treatment and SAA concentration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Horses with colic that had an abnormally increased SAA concentration were more likely to require surgical intervention, develop thrombophlebitis, or be euthanized because of a poor prognosis despite treatment.
authors.forename: Trina L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Westerman
authors.forename: Crystal M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.forename: Susan J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Tornquist
authors.forename: Keith P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Poulsen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003085:Colic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D006242:Haptoglobins / Q000032:analysis*; D006403:Hematologic Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D006736:Horses; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000685:Serum Amyloid A Protein / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D006242:Haptoglobins; D000685:Serum Amyloid A Protein