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Abstract Background Left-sided cardiac volume overload (LCVO) can cause fluid accumulation in lung tissue changing the distribution of ventilation, which can be evaluated by electrical impedance tomography (EIT). Objectives To describe and compare EIT variables in horses with naturally occurring compensated and decompensated LCVO and compare them to a healthy cohort. Animals Fourteen adult horses, including university teaching horses and clinical cases (healthy: 8; LCVO: 4 compensated, 2 decompensated). Methods In this prospective cohort study, EIT was used in standing, unsedated horses and analyzed for conventional variables, ventilated right (VAR) and left (VAL) lung area, linear-plane distribution variables (avg-max VΔZLine, VΔZLine), global peak flows, inhomogeneity factor, and estimated tidal volume. Horses with decompensated LCVO were assessed before and after administration of furosemide. Variables for healthy and LCVO-affected horses were compared using a Mann-Whitney test or unpaired t-test and observations from compensated and decompensated horses are reported. Results Compared to the healthy horses, the LCVO cohort had significantly less VAL (mean difference 3.02; 95% confidence interval .77-5.2; P = .02), more VAR (−1.13; −2.18 to −.08; P = .04), smaller avg-max VΔZLLine (2.54; 1.07-4.00; P = .003) and VΔZLLine (median difference 5.40; 1.71-9.09; P = .01). Observation of EIT alterations were reflected by clinical signs in horses with decompensated LCVO and after administration of furosemide. Conclusions and Clinical Importance EIT measurements of ventilation distribution showed less ventilation in the left lung of horses with LCVO and might be useful as an objective assessment of the ventilation effects of cardiogenic pulmonary disease in horses.

Abstract Background Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) generates images of the lungs based on impedance change and was able to detect changes in airflow after histamine challenge in horses. Objectives To confirm that EIT can detect histamine-provoked changes in airflow and subsequent drug-induced bronchodilatation. Novel EIT flow variables were developed and examined for changes in airflow. Methods Bronchoconstriction was induced using stepwise histamine bronchoprovocation in 17 healthy sedated horses. The EIT variables were recorded at baseline, after saline nebulization (control), at the histamine concentration causing bronchoconstriction (Cmax) and 2 and 10 minutes after albuterol (salbutamol) administration. Peak global inspiratory (PIFEIT) and peak expiratory EIT (PEFEIT) flow, slope of the global expiratory flow-volume curve (FVslope), steepest FVslope over all pixels in the lung field, total impedance change (surrogate for tidal volume; VTEIT) and intercept on the expiratory FV curve normalized to VTEIT (FVintercept/VTEIT) were indexed to baseline and analyzed for a difference from the control, at Cmax, 2 and 10 minutes after albuterol. Multiple linear regression explored the explanation of the variance of Δflow, a validated variable to evaluate bronchoconstriction using all EIT variables. Results At Cmax, PIFEIT, PEFEIT, and FVslope significantly increased whereas FVintercept/VT decreased. All variables returned to baseline 10 minutes after albuterol. The VTEIT did not change. Multivariable investigation suggested 51% of Δflow variance was explained by a combination of PIFEIT and PEFEIT. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Changes in airflow during histamine challenge and subsequent albuterol administration could be detected by various EIT flow volume variables.

We identifi ed and isolated a novel Hendra virus (HeV) variant not detected by routine testing from a horse in Queensland, Australia, that died from acute illness with signs consistent with HeV infection. Using whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, we determined the variant had ≈83% nt identity with prototypic HeV. In silico and in vitro comparisons of the receptor-binding protein with prototypic HeV support that the human monoclonal antibody m102.4 used for postexposure prophylaxis and current equine vaccine will be eff ective against this variant. An updated quantitative PCR developed for routine surveillance resulted in subsequent case detection. Genetic sequence consistency with virus detected in grey-headed fl ying foxes suggests the variant circulates at least among this species. Studies are needed to determine infection kinetics, pathogenicity, reservoir-species associations, viral- host coevolution, and spillover dynamics for this virus. Surveillance and biosecurity practices should be updated to acknowledge HeV spillover risk across all regions frequented by fl ying foxes.

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a non-invasive real-time non-ionising imaging modality that has many applications. Since the first recorded use in 1978, the technology has become more widely used especially in human adult and neonatal critical care monitoring. Recently, there has been an increase in research on thoracic EIT in veterinary medicine. Real-time imaging of the thorax allows evaluation of ventilation distribution in anesthetised and conscious animals. As the technology becomes recognised in the veterinary community there is a need to standardize approaches to data collection, analysis, interpretation and nomenclature, ensuring comparison and repeatability between researchers and studies. A group of nineteen veterinarians and two biomedical engineers experienced in veterinary EIT were consulted and contributed to the preparation of this statement. The aim of this consensus is to provide an introduction to this imaging modality, to highlight clinical relevance and to include recommendations on how to effectively use thoracic EIT in veterinary species. Based on this, the consensus statement aims to address the need for a streamlined approach to veterinary thoracic EIT and includes: an introduction to the use of EIT in veterinary species, the technical background to creation of the functional images, a consensus from all contributing authors on the practical application and use of the technology, descriptions and interpretation of current available variables including appropriate statistical analysis, nomenclature recommended for consistency and future developments in thoracic EIT. The information provided in this consensus statement may benefit researchers and clinicians working within the field of veterinary thoracic EIT. We endeavor to inform future users of the benefits of this imaging modality and provide opportunities to further explore applications of this technology with regards to perfusion imaging and pathology diagnosis.

The efficacy and safety of the recombinant equine vaccine has been clearly demonstrated (4-6), and both government and industry animal health authorities strongly recommend its use as 'the single most effective way of reducing the risk of Hendra virus infection in horses' (7). [...]we express no objection to the development of a human vaccine against HeV; however, we are emphatic that Zahoor and Mudie (1) are unjustified in using viral evolution, vaccine inefficiency, and changing clinical syndromes as motivations. [...]Dr. Broder is a coinventor on U.S. Patent No. 8,865,171 and 9,045,532, with royalties paid by Zoetis, Inc., and Australian Patent No. 2005327194 Patent assignees are the United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services (Washington DC) and the Henry M. Jackson Foundation (Bethesda, MD).

A novel Hendra virus (HeV) variant was identified from a horse that suffered acute fatal disease consistent with HeV infection through multidisciplinary and interagency syndromic sentinel surveillance research. Novel molecular assays for HeV detection are described in the light of routine testing failure. In silico analysis of the variant receptor-binding protein in comparison with prototypic HeV supported that the monoclonal antibody m102.4 used for post-exposure prophylaxis, as well as the equine vaccine, should be effective also against this novel variant. Similarity of this virus (99%) to a partial sequence detected from a South Australian grey-headed flying fox, along with case exposure to this species in Queensland, suggests the variant circulates at least across the range of this flying fox species. Investigation into HeV diversity, comparative kinetics and pathogenicity, reservoir-species associations, viral-host co-evolution and spillover dynamics should be prioritized. Biosecurity practices should be updated to appreciate HeV spillover risk across all regions frequented by flying foxes regardless of species. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest.