Learning More About How the Immune System Works

Monocytes are a type of white blood cell that help fight off invading bacteria, viruses and fungi in the body. In human medicine, studies have identified distinct populations of monocytes that now help guide diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic health decisions. However, equine monocytes are not well defined. Researchers will characterize distinct subsets of equine monocytes and their function in healthy horses. They will compare these data to monocyte types in horses with acute gastrointestinal disease over the course of hospitalization. Data collected is anticipated to provide real-time insight into the processes occurring within critically ill horses. Findings also will provide foundational knowledge crucial for development of more effective prognostics and diagnostics for equine patients.