Evaluation of troponin I and C in horses intoxicated by salinomycin

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Ionophores are antibiotics frequently used in animals of production. The most common are monensin, salinomycin, narasin, and lasalocid. The equine species is highly susceptible to ionophores poisoning. The present study aimed to analyze the serum use of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and the anti-troponin C immunohistochemistry (IHC) technique (anti-cTnC) as a diagnostic tool for cardiac injuries in horses spontaneously poisoned by salinomycin. Seven horses were affected by a disease lasting for 6-72 hours. Three horses recovered. The primary morphological lesions reported in the four necropsied horses that died spontaneously were necrosis of the myocardium and skeletal muscle. Immunohistochemistry for anti-cTnC was performed in selected sections of the cardiac muscle from the equine submitted for necropsy. A decrease in cTnC expression in the cytoplasm of cardiomyocytes was noticed in all four necropsied horses. Samples of serum from six horses tested for cardiac troponin I levels; the most expressive values were mainly in horses with more severe cardiac histological lesions. The serum detection of cTnI can be considered a good marker to determine cardiac damage in horses intoxicated with salinomycin with a clinical evolution of 48 hours or more. The anti-cTnC IHC aided in the detection of cardiac injury in horses independent of clinical evolution.