Assessment of platelet biology in equine patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome
Research article published in Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc (2020)
Abstract
In addition to maintaining hemostasis, platelets have an important role in modulating innate and adaptive immune responses. A low platelet count has been found to be a negative prognostic factor for survival in humans and horses with critical illnesses, such as sepsis or systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Decreased platelet aggregation, caused by in vivo activation, has been found in human patients with severe sepsis. In our prospective controlled study, we assessed platelet biology in blood samples from 20 equine SIRS cases and 120 healthy control horses. Platelet variables such as platelet count, large platelet count, clumps, plateletcrit, mean platelet volume, and mean platelet component concentration were analyzed by laser flow cytometry (Advia 2120) from K3EDTA blood and from citrate blood. Hirudin blood samples were analyzed by impedance aggregometry (Multiplate analyzer; Roche) for platelet aggregation, including spontaneous aggregation and aggregation by 4 different agonists: adenosine diphosphate (ADPtest), ADP + prostaglandin E1 (ADPtestHS), arachidonic acid (ASPItest), and collagen (COLtest). SIRS cases had significantly lower platelet counts in K3EDTA blood (p < 0.0001) compared to control horses. There were no significant differences in aggregation values between SIRS cases and controls. Non-surviving SIRS horses did not have statistically significant lower platelet counts or lower aggregation values for COLtest, ADPtest, or ADPtestHS compared to surviving SIRS horses, although 5 non-survivors were thrombocytopenic.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
In addition to maintaining hemostasis, platelets have an important role in modulating innate and adaptive immune responses.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
This prospective controlled study assessed platelet biology—including counts, indices, and aggregation—in 20 horses with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) compared to 120 healthy control horses, using hirudin-anticoagulated blood for impedance aggregometry (Multiplate analyzer) with four agonists: ADP (ADPtest), ADP + prostaglandin E1 (ADPtestHS), arachidonic acid (ASPItest), and collagen (COLtest). SIRS cases had significantly lower platelet counts but no significant differences in aggregation values versus controls. The abstract mentions hirudin only as the anticoagulant used for aggregation testing and does not identify its source or mention leeches; the study involves no therapeutic leech therapy, and findings pertain to equine critical illness.
Citación
Assessment of platelet biology in equine patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome
Ehrmann C et al. · Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc, 2020
Contexto clínico relacionado
Explore cómo esta investigación se conecta con la práctica clínica
Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: June 18, 2026