Gastric ulceration in the horse

A survey relating to the foal gastroduodenal ulcer syndrome was distributed to 55 equine practices in Ireland and Britain. Respondents had a annual responsibility for 6650 foals. The occurrence of the syndrome was confirmed but the incidence was low (0.58%).Ulceration or erosion of the proventricular mucosa was noted in 173(28.2%) of 614 horses examined at an abattoir. Ulcers were less than 1cm^ in 53(31%) of horses, between 1cm^ and 5 cm^ in 69(40%) of horses, and greater than 5 cm^ in 51(29%) of horses. Lesions occurred close to the margo plicatus in the region of the lesser curvature in 89% of horses. In 135 (26%) of horses, verrucose proliferations of the margo plicatus at the lesser curvature were recorded. Of 271 Thoroughbred horses examined 90(33%) had ulcerations or erosions but only 43(24%) of 182 ponies examined had ulcers/erosions, a statistically significant difference (p<0.05).The prevalence of bots larvae was 43%, Only 60 (37 %) of horses with ulceration had concurrent bot burdens and no statistical relationship between bots and the occurrence of ulceration existed.Stomach tissue samples (largely from the proventricular mucosa) from 121, horses were examined histologically. Epithelial change was characterised by increased epithelial thickness, increased depth and irregularity of the rete pegs, hyperkeratosis and hydropic degeneration. Additionally in acute erosions, reticular degeneration and spongiosis was noted. Acute and subacute ulcers describe lesions where the deficit extended down to the lamina propria and in chronic ulcers and erosions fibrosis was a significant feature. Scarring was characterised by increased corrugations of the epithelium, fibrosis of the lamina propria and ectopic glands.Sera from 71 horses, 41 of which had gastric pathology were examined using an ELISA, for antibody against Helicobacterpy/ori. A statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in the mean H. pylori optical density values (OD) between horses with gastric pathology (0.53) and horses with no pathology (0.375) was noted. There was a overlap between OD values in horses with gastric pathology ( 0.17-1.11) and normal horses (0.16-0.73).Serum gastrin levels (n—151) ranged from <20 pg /ml to 96 pg /ml. There was a statistically significant relationship (p