Serum Amyloid A – Equine
Serum Amyloid A (SAA) is an acute-phase protein that serves as a highly sensitive biomarker for inflammation in horses. SAA levels rise rapidly in response to infection, tissue injury, or systemic inflammation, making it a valuable tool for diagnosing and monitoring equine health conditions. Unlike other inflammatory markers, SAA demonstrates significant and immediate increases in concentration, often within 6-12 hours of an inflammatory trigger, and decreases rapidly upon resolution, providing real-time insights into the horse’s inflammatory status. SAA testing is particularly useful for differentiating between infectious and non-infectious inflammation, monitoring recovery, and evaluating the effectiveness of treatment protocols. This test is applicable in a range of conditions, including respiratory infections, septicemia, colitis, post-surgical complications, and other inflammatory or infectious diseases.
Test name
Serum Amyloid A – Equine
Test Code
E155
Section
Clinical Pathology
Species
Equine
Specimen
2 ml Serum
Collection Guidelines
- Collect an adequate amount of blood in a plain red-top tube or serum separator tube (yellow-top tube). Allow it to clot at room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes before separation.
- Centrifuge to separate the serum. Transfer the clear serum into a new, leak-proof plain red-top tube and label it as “serum.”
- Excessively hemolyzed samples are not suitable for this test.
- Unspun samples will not be accepted.
- Refrigerate sample at 4oC until shipment.
Turnaround time
14-21 days
Packing Instructions
Label each sample with the animal’s name and a unique identifier, using a permanent marker or a secure adhesive label. Ensure the submittal form is completed with the animal’s information and relevant medical history.
References
- Jacobsen, S., et al. “Acute Phase Proteins as Inflammatory Markers in Horses: The Role of Serum Amyloid A.” Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 2021.
- Pihl, T.H., et al. “Serum Amyloid A in Equine Clinical Practice: Diagnostic and Monitoring Applications.” Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice, 2022.
- Hinchcliff, K.W., et al. “Advances in Biomarker Diagnostics for Equine Inflammatory Diseases: Focus on Serum Amyloid A.” Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, 2023.
