Infectious lower respiratory tract disease (Yr4)

Question 1

what would indicate from haematology that you are dealing with an infectious disease?

Answer 1

increased white cell count
increased acute phase proteins

Question 2

what are the main acute phase proteins used in horses?

Answer 2

serum amyloid A
fibrinogen

Question 3

what is the pathogenesis of equine influenza?

Answer 3

destroys tracheal ciliated epithelium, meaning the airways defence mechanism aren’t as strong so exposes them to secondary infection

Question 4

what are the clinical signs of equine influenza?

Answer 4

pyrexia, lethargy
cough (hacking to moist)
nasal discharge (serous to mucopurulent)
oedema/hyperaemia of URT

Question 5

what are the features of haematology in the early stages of equine influenza?

Answer 5

lymphopaenia
neutropenia

Question 6

what are the features of haematology in the later stages of equine influenza?

Answer 6

monocytosis, neutrophilia, hyperfibrinogenaemia

Question 7

how can equine influenza be diagnosed?

Answer 7

virus isolation from nasopharyngeal swabs
rising antibody titre (four times over 2-4 weeks)

Question 8

how long should horses with equine influenza be rested for?

Answer 8

1 week off for every day of fever (develop chronic cough/pharyngitis if not)

Question 9

what herpesvirus causes respiratory disease?

Answer 9

EHV-1 (and EHV-4)

Question 10

how does the haematology change depending on how acutely you test for viral respiratory infections?

Answer 10

acute decrease in neutrophils/lymphocytes then you will see an increase in lymphocytes