Exposure to respirable silica contributes to lower airway inflammation in asthmatic horses

Abstract Background Respirable mineral particles can induce lower airway inflammation, but the role they play in asthma of horses is unknown. Objectives Respirable mineral particles, particularly respirable silica, are an overlooked determinant of chronic lung inflammation (asthma) in horses. Animal...

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Main Authors: Alessandra Romolo, Giulia Costa, Beatrice Sica, Giulia Memoli, Matteo Ardit, Francesco Di Benedetto, Donata Bellis, Silvana Capella, Elena Belluso, Michela Bullone
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-11-01
Series:Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.17160
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author Alessandra Romolo
Giulia Costa
Beatrice Sica
Giulia Memoli
Matteo Ardit
Francesco Di Benedetto
Donata Bellis
Silvana Capella
Elena Belluso
Michela Bullone
author_facet Alessandra Romolo
Giulia Costa
Beatrice Sica
Giulia Memoli
Matteo Ardit
Francesco Di Benedetto
Donata Bellis
Silvana Capella
Elena Belluso
Michela Bullone
author_sort Alessandra Romolo
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Respirable mineral particles can induce lower airway inflammation, but the role they play in asthma of horses is unknown. Objectives Respirable mineral particles, particularly respirable silica, are an overlooked determinant of chronic lung inflammation (asthma) in horses. Animals Twenty‐three horses from an equine hospital population: 11 moderately affected (MEA), 7 severely asthmatic (SEA), and 5 control horses free from respiratory clinical signs. Methods Prospective observational study. The quantity and quality of mineral particles found in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were characterized, with particular attention to silica content. Polarized light microscopy performed on cytospin slides identified intracellular birefringent particles as silica. Spectrometry‐based analysis performed on whole BALF determined total mineral and silica percentage and concentration. Group‐related differences in BALF mineral and silica load were investigated as well as associations with BALF cytology. Results Intracellular birefringent particles were increased in SEA vs MEA (median [interquartile range, IQR]), 12 [7] vs 4 [5] particles/30 high power fields [hpf], respectively; P = .01) and vs controls (4 [2] particles/30 hpf; P = .02). Total mineral concentration in BALF was similar between the groups studied, whereas silica concentration and percentage were increased in SEA vs MEA (1758 [887] particles/mL and 20 [10]% vs 867 [662] particles/mL and 8 [6]%; P = .009 and P = .001) and control group (355 [330] particles/mL and 6 [3]%; P = .0003 and P = .002). Silica load in BALF was associated with BALF neutrophilia in MEA and SEA. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Respirable silica is associated with neutrophilic lower airway inflammation in horses and might contribute to asthma development.
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spelling doaj-art-7ecdb6c4a5c24993b7123f6b43cf76802025-08-20T01:53:30ZengWileyJournal of Veterinary Internal Medicine0891-66401939-16762024-11-013863315332610.1111/jvim.17160Exposure to respirable silica contributes to lower airway inflammation in asthmatic horsesAlessandra Romolo0Giulia Costa1Beatrice Sica2Giulia Memoli3Matteo Ardit4Francesco Di Benedetto5Donata Bellis6Silvana Capella7Elena Belluso8Michela Bullone9Department of Veterinary Sciences University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2‐5 Turin 10095 ItalyDepartment of Earth Sciences University of Turin, Via Valperga Caluso 35 Turin 10125 ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Sciences University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2‐5 Turin 10095 ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Sciences University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2‐5 Turin 10095 ItalyDepartment of Physics and Earth Sciences University of Ferrara, Via Saragat 1 Ferrara 44122 ItalyDepartment of Physics and Earth Sciences University of Ferrara, Via Saragat 1 Ferrara 44122 ItalyInterdepartmental Centre for Studies on Asbestos and Other Toxic Particulates “Giovanni Scansetti”, University of Turin, Via Pietro Giuria, 7 Turin 10125 ItalyDepartment of Earth Sciences University of Turin, Via Valperga Caluso 35 Turin 10125 ItalyDepartment of Earth Sciences University of Turin, Via Valperga Caluso 35 Turin 10125 ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Sciences University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2‐5 Turin 10095 ItalyAbstract Background Respirable mineral particles can induce lower airway inflammation, but the role they play in asthma of horses is unknown. Objectives Respirable mineral particles, particularly respirable silica, are an overlooked determinant of chronic lung inflammation (asthma) in horses. Animals Twenty‐three horses from an equine hospital population: 11 moderately affected (MEA), 7 severely asthmatic (SEA), and 5 control horses free from respiratory clinical signs. Methods Prospective observational study. The quantity and quality of mineral particles found in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were characterized, with particular attention to silica content. Polarized light microscopy performed on cytospin slides identified intracellular birefringent particles as silica. Spectrometry‐based analysis performed on whole BALF determined total mineral and silica percentage and concentration. Group‐related differences in BALF mineral and silica load were investigated as well as associations with BALF cytology. Results Intracellular birefringent particles were increased in SEA vs MEA (median [interquartile range, IQR]), 12 [7] vs 4 [5] particles/30 high power fields [hpf], respectively; P = .01) and vs controls (4 [2] particles/30 hpf; P = .02). Total mineral concentration in BALF was similar between the groups studied, whereas silica concentration and percentage were increased in SEA vs MEA (1758 [887] particles/mL and 20 [10]% vs 867 [662] particles/mL and 8 [6]%; P = .009 and P = .001) and control group (355 [330] particles/mL and 6 [3]%; P = .0003 and P = .002). Silica load in BALF was associated with BALF neutrophilia in MEA and SEA. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Respirable silica is associated with neutrophilic lower airway inflammation in horses and might contribute to asthma development.https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.17160bronchoalveolar lavagedustslung inflammationrespirable crystalline silicarespirable fraction
spellingShingle Alessandra Romolo
Giulia Costa
Beatrice Sica
Giulia Memoli
Matteo Ardit
Francesco Di Benedetto
Donata Bellis
Silvana Capella
Elena Belluso
Michela Bullone
Exposure to respirable silica contributes to lower airway inflammation in asthmatic horses
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
bronchoalveolar lavage
dusts
lung inflammation
respirable crystalline silica
respirable fraction
title Exposure to respirable silica contributes to lower airway inflammation in asthmatic horses
title_full Exposure to respirable silica contributes to lower airway inflammation in asthmatic horses
title_fullStr Exposure to respirable silica contributes to lower airway inflammation in asthmatic horses
title_full_unstemmed Exposure to respirable silica contributes to lower airway inflammation in asthmatic horses
title_short Exposure to respirable silica contributes to lower airway inflammation in asthmatic horses
title_sort exposure to respirable silica contributes to lower airway inflammation in asthmatic horses
topic bronchoalveolar lavage
dusts
lung inflammation
respirable crystalline silica
respirable fraction
url https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.17160
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