Endotoxin induced disseminated intravascular coagulation in cattle

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Hematology
• Toxicology

Background:

• Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a severe condition involving widespread activation of coagulation.
• Endotoxins are potent triggers of inflammatory and procoagulant responses in mammals.
• Understanding the hematological changes during endotoxin-induced DIC is crucial for veterinary critical care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the hemostatic alterations in calves following intravenous administration of a sublethal dose of endotoxin.
• To characterize the temporal dynamics of key coagulation parameters during endotoxin-induced DIC.

Main Methods:

• Four calves received a sublethal dose of Piromen, a commercial endotoxin from Pseudomonas spp.
• Serial blood samples were collected to measure plasma fibrinogen, soluble fibrin, ethanol gelation test, protamine sulfate test, fibrinogen-fibrin-related antigen (FR-antigen), prothrombin time (PT), and thrombin time (TT).

Main Results:

• Plasma fibrinogen showed an initial depression to 40% at 8-11 hours, followed by overcompensation to 180% at 60-108 hours.
• Soluble fibrin was detected from 2-22 hours, peaking at 100-114 mg/100 ml between 4-9 hours.
• Ethanol gelation, protamine sulfate tests, and serum FR-antigen were consistently positive post-endotoxin.
• Prothrombin times (PT) and thrombin times (TT) were significantly prolonged, with peak increases of 180% (PT at 8-10 hours) and 260-290% (TT at 6-9 hours).

Conclusions:

• Intravenous endotoxin administration in calves reliably induces a state of disseminated intravascular coagulation.
• The observed coagulation profile, including fibrinogen changes and prolonged clotting times, is characteristic of DIC.
• These findings provide valuable insights into the pathophysiology of endotoxemia in cattle and inform potential therapeutic strategies.