Procalcitonin in healthy and endotoxemic horses

Procalcitonin (PCT) seems to be an early marker of bacterial infection. The increase of its concentration is due to bacterial endotoxin and inflammatory cytokines. In horses’ GI diseases, hypersecretion of fluid, motility disturbances, altered microbial flora and impaired mucosal barrier may lead to absorption of endotoxin and/or bacterial products through the compromised mucosa. The aim of this work was to evaluate the plasmatic PCT concentration in healthy horses and those with acute GI diseases, in order to evaluate the differences between the two groups. Plasma PCT concentration was evaluated in 45 horses referred to three different University Teaching Hospitals, and in 16 healthy horses that underwent similar management conditions. The following data were recorded in order to divide horses in healthy (N = 16), less than two criteria met, and clinical endotoxemic horses’ group (N = 45), two or more criteria met: neutropenia and/or toxic changes, increased PCV and TP, tachycardia, tachypnea, abnormal mucous membrane status and capillary refill time. Plasma PCT concentrations were measured with an equine PCT ELISA assay. Results were expressed as mean and standard deviation. T-test for unpaired data was performed between healthy and suspected endotoxemic horses’ group. PCT concentration in healthy and clinical endotoxemic horses’ group was 22.3 21.4 and 182.5 83.9 pg/mL, respectively. T-test showed differences between the two groups (P < 0.0001). Our results showed an increase in plasma PCT concentration in clinical endotoxemic horses as reported in human medicine. PCT could be used in the equine practice for early therapy planning, in order to improve prognosis and restrain therapy costs.