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Hepatic cirrhosis and hemochromatosis in three horses
E G Pearson1, O R Hedstrom, R H Poppenga
1College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis 97331.
Insights
Three horses diagnosed with hemochromatosis, an iron storage disease, showed severe liver damage. Despite normal blood iron levels, their livers contained excessive iron, indicating a significant health issue in equine patients.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Equine Pathology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Hemochromatosis is an iron storage disease affecting various species, including humans and mynah birds.
- It can manifest in several forms, such as familial, secondary to liver cirrhosis, anemia-related, or due to dietary iron overload.
Observation:
- Three horses with hepatic cirrhosis were diagnosed with hemochromatosis.
- All affected horses exhibited bridging portal fibrosis and substantial iron deposits within hepatocytes.
- Elevated serum liver enzymes and total bile acids were noted, but serum iron levels were not high.
Findings:
- Liver iron concentration in one horse was 20 times the reference limit, despite normal serum iron and only 46% iron-binding capacity saturation.
- The horses were unrelated, and no evidence of excessive dietary iron intake was found.
Implications:
- This suggests a potential breed-specific or idiopathic form of hemochromatosis in horses, distinct from common human types.
- Highlights the importance of liver biopsy for accurate diagnosis in horses presenting with liver disease and normal serum iron.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the specific mechanisms and genetic factors contributing to hemochromatosis in horses.
Abstract:
Hemochromatosis, an iron storage disease, was diagnosed in 3 horses with hepatic cirrhosis. Each horse had bridging portal fibrosis and abundant iron deposits in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes. Serum concentrations of liver-derived enzymes and total bile acids were high. However, serum iron concentration was not high, and iron binding capacity was only 46% saturated in the 1 horse in which it was measured. However, the concentration of iron in the liver of this horse was 20 times the reference limits. Hemochromatosis is common in mynah birds and human beings. There are several types of this iron storage disease. In human beings, there is a familial disease with iron absorption inappropriate for the level of stored iron. Hemochromatosis also occurs secondary to cirrhosis of the liver, and in certain anemia diseases. Another type of hemochromatosis is seen in association with dietary iron overload. These horses were not related, and there was not any evidence of high dietary iron intake.