2017 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

Significant changes in circulating ACTH (P < 0.0017) and cortisol concentrations (P < 0.0001) were detected at numerous time points after dexamethasone treatment in both groups of horses; however, significant differences between groups were not evident. In conclusion, dexamethasone administration appeared to suppress plasma ACTH concentrations for up to 36 hours and serum cortisol concentrations for at least 48 hours in healthy horses and horses affected by PPID. Studies with larger sample sizes may better distinguish differences in the response of the endocrine axis to dexamethasone treatment in healthy horses compared to horses with PPID. Inflammation is key in the development of post-operative ileus (POI) in rodents, with a similar pathogenesis likely occurring in other species. It is well established that dexamethasone reduces inflammation and therefore may reduce POI in horses. A retrospective study was performed to determine if dexamethasone reduces POI in horses with small intestinal (SI) disease, and to assess effects on incisional health and short-term survival. Data from all horses that underwent SI colic surgery and received 0.1 mg/kg dexamethasone intravenously during surgery (DEX) was extracted from clinical records (61 horses). Thirty-two horses underwent (SI) resection and 29 did not. Data from 61 horses that The increasing prevalence of macrolide-resistant Rhodococcus equi and the lack of alternative antimicrobials necessitates identifying novel therapies. Stimulating host innate immune responses can enhance clearance of infectious agents. The objectives of this study were: 1) to determine whether an agonist for Toll-like receptors (TLR) 2/6 and 9 (viz., PUL-042) could increase the killing capacity of adult equine monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) against macrolide-resistant and macrolide-susceptible R. equi; and, 2) to determine whether PUL-042 had a synergistic effect with clarithromycin on the killing capacity of MDMs against R. equi. The null hypotheses were that PUL-042 would not increase the killing capacity of MDMs against either strain of R. equi and that PUL-042 would not have a synergistic effect on the killing capacity of MDMs when combined with clarithromycin.