Evaluation of circulating microRNAs in plasma from horses with non-strangulating intestinal infarction and idiopathic peritonitis.
Authors: Toft Katrine, Mardahl Maibritt, Hedberg-Alm Ylva, Anlén Karin, Tydén Eva, Nielsen Martin K, Honoré Marie Louise, Fromm Bastian, Nielsen Lise N, Nejsum Peter, Thamsborg Stig Milan, Cirera Susanna, Pihl Tina Holberg
Journal: Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
Summary
# Editorial Summary Differentiating non-strangulating intestinal infarction (NSII) caused by *Strongylus vulgaris* from idiopathic peritonitis (IP) remains clinically challenging despite their divergent management requirements—surgery versus antimicrobials respectively—making reliable diagnostic biomarkers highly desirable. Researchers analysed plasma samples from 43 horses (21 with NSII, 22 with IP) using small RNA sequencing on a subset (n=12) followed by RT-qPCR validation of nine candidate microRNAs, seeking differential miRNA signatures between these conditions. Despite identifying 628 miRNAs in circulation, no statistically significant differences emerged between disease groups either through sequencing or qPCR confirmation; both NSII and IP demonstrated similar abundance patterns dominated by Eca-Mir-122-5p, Eca-Mir-486-5p, and the inflammation-associated Eca-Mir-223-3p, with predicted targets enriched in inflammatory pathways. Only white blood cell and neutrophil counts showed measurable differences between groups, reinforcing that both conditions generate comparable systemic inflammatory responses. Whilst circulating miRNA profiling cannot currently discriminate these conditions, the findings underscore their shared pathophysiology and suggest that future diagnostic strategies may require integration of miRNA data with conventional clinicopathological markers, imaging, and clinical context rather than reliance on miRNA signatures alone.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Plasma miRNA profiling cannot currently differentiate NSII from idiopathic peritonitis in clinical practice; traditional clinicopathological markers and imaging remain essential for diagnosis
- •Both conditions trigger similar systemic inflammatory responses, explaining their overlapping clinical presentation and the continued need for additional diagnostic tools (imaging, clinical examination, surgical exploration) to distinguish them
- •Standard blood work showing elevated WBC and neutrophils remains useful for supporting inflammation diagnosis but cannot differentiate between these two conditions requiring different treatment approaches
Key Findings
- •Small RNA sequencing identified 628 miRNAs in plasma samples but found no differentially abundant miRNAs between NSII (n=21) and IP (n=22) groups
- •Both disease groups showed similar plasma miRNA profiles with top abundant miRNAs including Eca-Mir-122-5p, Eca-Mir-486-5p, and Eca-Mir-223-3p
- •Only two clinicopathological parameters differed between groups: white blood cell count and blood neutrophil count
- •Both NSII and IP are characterized by systemic inflammation with similar miRNA expression patterns despite different underlying pathophysiology