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Determination of plasma fibrinogen concentration in the horse
Abstract:
The microhematocrit heat-precipitation methods of Millar et al (1971) and Schalm et al (1975) were compared with the reference clottable protein method of Ratnoff and Menzie (1951) in the measurement of plasma fibrinogen concentration in horses. The millar et al method was more precise and accurate and showed better positive correlation with the reference method than did the Schalm et al method. There was no significant difference in the plasma fibrinogen concentration between healthy Thoroughbreds and healthy horses of other breeds. Horses with bacterial pneumonia and abscesses had significantly greater plasma fibrinogen values than did those with colic, fractures, and nonsuppurative wounds. The Millar et al method was recommended as a simple, relatively accurate procedure for the determination of plasma fibrinogen that might be used as an additional diagnostic and prognostic indicator in the laboratory investigation of diseases in the horse.
Insights
The Millar et al method accurately measures plasma fibrinogen in horses, outperforming the Schalm et al method. This simple technique can aid in diagnosing equine diseases.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Clinical Pathology
Background:
- Accurate measurement of plasma fibrinogen is crucial for diagnosing equine diseases.
- Existing microhematocrit heat-precipitation methods require validation against reference standards.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the accuracy and precision of two microhematocrit heat-precipitation methods (Millar et al. and Schalm et al.) for measuring plasma fibrinogen concentration in horses.
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of plasma fibrinogen levels in horses with various conditions.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of Millar et al. (1971) and Schalm et al. (1975) methods with the Ratnoff and Menzie (1951) reference clottable protein method.
- Analysis of plasma fibrinogen concentrations in healthy horses (Thoroughbreds and other breeds) and horses with specific diseases (bacterial pneumonia, abscesses, colic, fractures, nonsuppurative wounds).
Main Results:
- The Millar et al. method demonstrated superior precision and accuracy, with a better positive correlation to the reference method compared to the Schalm et al. method.
- No significant differences in plasma fibrinogen were observed between healthy Thoroughbreds and other horse breeds.
- Horses with bacterial pneumonia and abscesses exhibited significantly higher plasma fibrinogen values than those with colic, fractures, or nonsuppurative wounds.
Conclusions:
- The Millar et al. method is recommended as a simple and accurate procedure for determining plasma fibrinogen in horses.
- Plasma fibrinogen measurement can serve as an additional diagnostic and prognostic indicator in equine disease investigations.