Airway inflammation and mucus in two age groups of asymptomatic well-performing sport horses.

摘要: Summary Reasons for performing study: Horses housed in conventional stable environments are exposed to high dust loads. Longterm exposure inhaled may lead subclinical airway disease. Hypotheses: Airway inflammation and mucus accumulation 1) common asymptomatic well-performing sport horses, 2) increased older compared younger individuals 3) correlated. Methods: Mucus quantity quality (endoscopic scoring) BALF differential cytology were assessed 13 horses (mean age 5 years) 15 years), which had no historical or clinical evidence of lower disease, well permanently a environment. Results: and/or very common. All showed inflammatory disease (IAD). Older having been 10 more years environment, did not show accumulation. The only differences between the groups total lymphocyte cell counts horses. scores significantly correlated with each other neutrophil percentages absolute numbers. Conclusions: Although clinically healthy well, all examined environment IAD. degree IAD was that developed signs. Potential relevance: effect degrees on performance dressage jumping should be investigated further better understand significance