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Blood parameters in neonatal foal and colostrum quality as possible early markers for increased risk of developing

María Villalba-Orero1,2, Camila A Gómez3, Marta Valero-Gónzalez3

  • 1Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.

Frontiers in Veterinary Science
|September 15, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Neonatal gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels can predict Rhodococcus equi pneumonia risk in foals. Higher GGT at birth indicates increased susceptibility to this common foal respiratory infection.

Area of Science:

  • Equine Neonatal Health
  • Veterinary Infectious Diseases
  • Bacterial Pneumonia Pathogenesis

Background:

  • Rhodococcus equi causes significant pneumonia in foals aged 1-6 months.
  • Identifying foals at risk for R. equi infection remains a clinical challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate blood parameters and passive immunity transfer in neonatal foals as potential predictors for R. equi pneumonia.
  • To analyze early life markers for susceptibility to R. equi infection within the first six months of life.

Main Methods:

  • 207 foals were monitored from birth to 6 months.
  • Blood samples analyzed for hematocrit, WBC, total plasma proteins, albumin, fibrinogen, urea, creatinine, GGT, iron, and IgG.
  • Foals were grouped into R. equi infected (R group) and healthy (H group) based on clinical surveillance.

Main Results:

  • Foals developing R. equi pneumonia exhibited significantly lower urea and higher creatinine and GGT levels compared to healthy foals.
  • Multivariable logistic regression identified elevated neonatal GGT as a significant predictor for R. equi development.

Conclusions:

  • High neonatal GGT and creatinine may indicate fetal immaturity, potentially compromising immune function and predisposing foals to R. equi infection.
  • Neonatal GGT levels show promise as a risk factor for predicting R. equi pneumonia in foals.
Abstract

Keywords:
BrixRhodococcus equibiochemistrycreatininefoalgamma GTpneumonia

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