2015 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

i:Qualisys AB, Gothenburg, Sweden, ii:The Mathworks inc., Natick, MA, USA. Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) transfusions are common in critically ill and healthy neonatal foals. While anaphylactic reactions are reported, the extent and nature of FFP transfusion-associated immune activation in foals is unknown. We hypothesized that FFP transfusion evokes a detectable systemic inflammatory response in healthy foals. Thirty-six healthy, Standardbred foals (24-36 hours old) were allocated to either group 1 (n = 18) receiving a 1L commercial FFP transfusion, or group 2 (n = 18) receiving 1L of isotonic crystalloids, by intravenous infusion. Jugular blood was collected before transfusion and at 2, 6 and 24 hours post-administration, and evaluated for serum amyloid A ([SAA], turbidometric assay), fibrinogen ([FIB] , Modified Clauss method), and TNF-a, IL-1b, IL-10 (commercial ELISA kit). Statistical comparisons between groups and across time, was performed using Chi squared and repeated measures ANOVA.