Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 31, 2026
An In Vitro Caseum Binding Assay that Predicts Drug Penetration in Tuberculosis Lesions
Published on: May 8, 2017
Predictive value of plasma and peritoneal creatine kinase in horses with strangulating intestinal lesions
Isabelle Kilcoyne1, Jorge E Nieto1, Julie E Dechant1
1Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California at Davis, Davis, California.
Insights
Peritoneal creatine kinase (CK) is a sensitive indicator for strangulating lesions in horses with colic. Measuring peritoneal CK aids in faster diagnosis and treatment, improving outcomes for horses with intestinal issues.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Equine Surgery
- Diagnostic Biomarkers
Background:
- Colic is a common emergency in horses, with strangulating intestinal lesions posing a significant risk.
- Early and accurate diagnosis of strangulating lesions is crucial for improving treatment outcomes.
- Current diagnostic methods can be limited in their ability to definitively identify strangulating lesions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic ability of plasma and peritoneal creatine kinase (CK) levels in predicting strangulating lesions in horses presenting with colic.
- To compare the sensitivity and specificity of peritoneal CK with peritoneal lactate for diagnosing strangulating intestinal lesions.
Main Methods:
- A prospective clinical study involving 61 horses with colic and 10 healthy controls.
- Measurement of creatine kinase (CK) activity in peritoneal fluid and plasma.
- Analysis of other clinical, laboratory, and surgical data from medical records.
Main Results:
- A peritoneal CK cutoff of 16 IU/L demonstrated high sensitivity (95.2%) and negative predictive value (97%) for strangulating lesions.
- Peritoneal lactate showed higher specificity (92%) but lower sensitivity (81%) compared to peritoneal CK.
- Peritoneal CK concentration was found to be a sensitive predictor of strangulating lesions.
Conclusions:
- Peritoneal CK concentration is a sensitive indicator for strangulating lesions in horses with colic.
- Measuring peritoneal CK can be a valuable tool to expedite diagnosis and treatment, potentially improving the prognosis for horses with strangulating intestinal lesions.
Objective:
To determine the ability of plasma and peritoneal creatine kinase (CK) to predict the presence of a strangulating lesion in horses presented for colic.
Study Design:
Prospective clinical study.
Animals:
Ten healthy control horses and 61 clinical colic cases.
Methods:
Creatine kinase activity was measured in peritoneal fluid and plasma of 10 healthy horses and 61 horses presenting for colic (40 horses with nonstrangulating lesions and 21 horses with strangulating lesions). Information on other blood and peritoneal fluid variables, signalment, results from the physical examination, outcome, requirement for surgery, and lesion location and type were retrieved from the medical records of horses presenting for colic.
Results:
A peritoneal CK cutoff level of 16 IU/L yielded a sensitivity of 95.2% and a specificity of 84.6% (positive predictive value [PPV] = 76.9% and negative predictive value [NPV] = 97%, respectively) for predicting a strangulating lesion. A peritoneal lactate cutoff level of 3.75 mmol/L yielded a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 92% (PPV = 85% and NPV = 90%, respectively) for predicting a strangulating lesion.
Conclusion:
Peritoneal CK concentration was a sensitive indicator of the presence of a strangulating lesion in horses presenting with colic, whereas peritoneal lactate concentration was a more specific indicator.
Clinical Significance:
Measuring CK in peritoneal fluid may be a useful adjunct to clinical case presentation to accelerate the diagnosis and definitive treatment of horses presenting with strangulating intestinal lesions, thereby improving their outcome.
Related Concept Videos
02:54Protein Kinases and Phosphatases
Protein kinases
Many proteins in the cell are regulated by phosphorylation, the addition of a phosphate group. A family of enzymes called kinases...
02:54Protein Kinases and Phosphatases
01:23Anatomy of the Intestines
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the...
02:27Predicting Molecular Geometry
01:25Peritoneal Dialysis II: Peritoneal Dialysis Systems and Complications
01:03Prediction Intervals
However, the point estimate is most likely not the exact value of the population parameter, but close to it. After calculating point estimates, we construct interval estimates, called confidence intervals or prediction intervals. This prediction interval comprises a range of values unlike the point estimate and is a better predictor of the observed sample value, y.