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Biomedical subjects

M T Donaldson

Publications and source records attributed to M T Donaldson.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Prevalence of Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin and Clostridium difficile toxin A in feces of horses with diarrhea and colic.

OBJECTIVE: To determine prevalence of clostridial enterotoxins in feces of horses with diarrhea and colic, and to determine whether an association exists between detection of clostridial enterotoxins in feces and development of diarrhea as a complication of colic. DESIGN: Prospective case series and case-control study. ANIMALS: 174 horses with diarrhea, colic, or problems not related to the gastrointestinal tract. PROCEDURE: Horses were assigned to 1 of 4 groups: colic with diarrhea (group 1; n = 30); colic without diarrhea (group 2; 30); diarrhea without colic (group 3; 57); and control (group 4; 57). Feces were evaluated by use of ELISA to detect Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (CPE) and C difficile toxin A (TOXA). Frequency of detection of CPE or TOXA in groups 1 and 3 was compared with that in groups 2 and 4, respectively. RESULTS: Prevalence of enteric clostridiosis in horses in group 3 was 25%. Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin was detected in 9 of 57 (16%), TOXA in 8 of 57 (14%), and both toxins in 3 of 57 (5%) fecal samples collected from these horses. Neither toxin was detected in feces of the age-matched horses in group 4. Clostridial enterotoxins were detected in feces of 7 of 60 (12%) horses with colic (groups 1 and 2), however, a significant association was not found between detection of enterotoxins in feces and development of diarrhea as a complication of colic. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Clostridia are important etiologic agents of diarrhea in horses. Additionally, changes in intestinal flora of horses with colic may allow for proliferation of clostridia and elaboration of enterotoxins regardless of whether diarrhea develops.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy in horses: 11 cases (1982-1996).

OBJECTIVE: To determine results of CSF analysis in horses with equid herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) and to determine whether results of CSF analysis were associated with outcome. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 11 horses. PROCEDURE: Medical records of all horses admitted to the veterinary teaching hospital between February 1982 and March 1996 in which EHM was diagnosed were reviewed. RESULTS: 7 horses were < or = 4 years old; 8 were admitted during January, February, or March. Six horses were febrile prior to admission, but none was febrile on the day of admission. Five horses had been stabled with other horses that had clinical signs of neurologic disease. All horses had had an acute onset of hind limb ataxia and paresis. Cranial nerve deficits were detected in 3 horses. Cerebrospinal fluid samples were collected on the day of admission from 10 horses. Protein concentration was high in 8 horses; nucleated cell count was normal in 8. Protein concentration and nucleated cell and RBC counts were not significantly different between horses that survived and horses that were euthanatized. Six horses were euthanatized, and 5 survived. All of the horses that survived remained standing or were able to stand with minimal assistance. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: High CSF protein concentration and normal or only slightly high CSF nucleated cell count are common in horses with EHM; however, results of CSF analysis were not associated with outcome. Horses with EHM that become recumbent have a poor prognosis for survival.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Acute vomiting.

Patients commonly present to the emergency clinician for evaluation of acute vomiting. The causes of vomiting range from trivial to life-threatening. The clinician must use the history, physical examination, emergency data-base, and abdominal radiographs to determine the severity of the underlying problem and the extent of the systemic side-effects of vomition. Based on this information, a plan can be devised for optimal emergency management of these patients.

Acute Disease↗