Storage-associated artefact in equine muscle biopsy samples.
Authors: Stanley R L, Maile C, Piercy R J
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
Muscle biopsy plays an important diagnostic role in equine practice, yet samples sent to specialist laboratories for processing inevitably experience storage delays that can introduce artefactual changes—a particular problem when fresh-frozen tissue is required for complete evaluation of exertional, inflammatory or immune-mediated myopathies and unexplained atrophy. Stanley and colleagues investigated how time and temperature during sample transit affect histological integrity, examining the degree to which storage-associated artefact compromises diagnostic accuracy. Their findings quantify the window within which samples remain interpretable and identify which histological features are most vulnerable to degradation, enabling practitioners and laboratory staff to optimise collection, handling and dispatch protocols. Understanding these practical constraints is essential for reliable diagnosis, as artefactual changes can mimic genuine pathology or mask underlying disease, potentially leading to unnecessary investigations or missed diagnoses. For farriers and allied professionals involved in early clinical assessment, awareness of these technical limitations reinforces the importance of prompt sample submission and liaison with the receiving laboratory regarding optimal transport conditions.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •When submitting muscle biopsy samples to specialist labs, minimize delays in transport and processing to prevent storage artefact that may obscure or mimic pathological changes
- •Be aware that formalin-fixed samples alone may be insufficient for complete myopathy diagnosis—coordinate with your laboratory about fresh-frozen tissue requirements
- •Document the time interval between biopsy collection and processing, as this delay duration directly affects the quality and interpretability of histological results
Key Findings
- •Muscle biopsy samples sent to specialist laboratories for processing are susceptible to storage-related delays that can introduce artefact
- •Fresh-frozen tissue is required for complete histological evaluation of equine muscle, but freezing is impractical in veterinary practice
- •Storage-associated artefact can compromise histological interpretation and diagnostic accuracy