Blood cell deformability in horses with intestinal colic.

Hematologic and rheologic variables were examined in a group of 13 horses with intestinal colic and a control group of 6 horses. All horses had been recently transported to the veterinary teaching hospital, and blood samples were obtained during initial examination. There were no significant differences in blood neutrophil count or plasma fibrinogen concentration between the groups, and PCV was significantly increased in horses with intestinal colic. Cell filterability was measured by passing uniform concentrations of blood, erythrocytes, and neutrophils through micropore filters. There were no significant differences between the control and intestinal colic groups in filterability of erythrocytes. Significant (P < 0.05) prolongation in filterability of blood and neutrophils was observed in the group of horses with intestinal colic, compared with the control group. This neutrophil change, indicative of decreased neutrophil deformability, corresponded with severity of the illness. Horses that failed to survive the intestinal colic episode had significantly (P < 0.05) prolonged blood and neutrophil filterability, compared with horses that survived intestinal colic. These findings indicate that deformability of neutrophils decreases in horses with intestinal colic, possibly a result of endotoxin-induced activation. This change can further impede microvascular blood flow that is altered in association with intestinal ischemia.