Cytological and Bacteriological Observation of Tracheobronchial Aspirates from Young Thoroughbreds Transported by Vehicle over Long Distance

• Published in: Journal of Equine Science Vol. 16; no. 4; pp. 117 - 121
• Main Authors: ANZAI, Toru, KUWAMOTO, Yasushi, TAKIZAWA, Yoshimasa, WADA, Ryuichi, YAMAUCHI, Jun, YAMANE, Tetsuya, HOBO, Seiji
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Utsunomiya-shi Japanese Society of Equine Science 2005; Japan Science and Technology Agency
• Subjects: Bacteria; shipping fever; Thoroughbred; tracheobronchial aspirates
• ISSN: 1340-3516; 1347-7501
• DOI: 10.1294/jes.16.117

Tracheobronchial aspirates were obtained by bronchoscope from 29 two-year-old Thoroughbreds immediately after long-distance transportation for examination for cells and bacteria. A number of neutrophils were observed in the aspirates of 6 horses, and a number of different bacteria were isolated from most of the horses. Five of the 6 horses (83.3%) with numerous neutrophils showed a marked increase in rectal temperature (≥39.0°C) or peripheral leukocyte count (≥15,000 cells/μl) immediately after transportation, while only 2 of 23 horses (8.7%) with almost no change in neutrophil count showed a marked increase in peripheral leukocyte count (≥15,000 cells/μl). Results of this study indicate that measurement of rectum temperature and peripheral leukocyte counts after transportation can be used as a practical index for diagnosis of respiratory infectious disease associated with transportation.