Hypercoagulable state associated with a deficiency of protein C in a thoroughbred colt

J Vet Intern Med. 1993 May-Jun;7(3):190-3. doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.1993.tb03185.x.

Abstract

Protein C is a vitamin K-dependent serine protease with anticoagulant and profibrinolytic activity which is synthesized in the liver. Decreased protein C activity was detected in a Thoroughbred colt with clinical and histopathologic evidence of recurrent venous thrombosis. Although protein C activity was reduced, protein C antigen concentration was normal. Consumptive coagulopathies produce a decrease in both the functional and antigenic concentrations of protein C, thus a defect in protein C synthesis was suspected. Inhibition of gamma-carboxylation secondary to vitamin K antagonism results in the synthesis of a protein C molecule with antigenicity, but without biological activity. However, there was no evidence of vitamin K antagonism. The hypercoaguable state resulting from the reduced activity of protein C in this colt was associated with uncomplicated renal disease, rather than a protein C consumptive process such as endotoxemia. A primary hypercoagulable state due to a deficiency of protein C activity was diagnosed. Primary deficiencies of protein C activity have not been previously documented in horses.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Horse Diseases / blood
  • Horse Diseases / enzymology*
  • Horse Diseases / pathology
  • Horses
  • Protein C Deficiency*
  • Recurrence
  • Thrombophlebitis / enzymology
  • Thrombophlebitis / pathology
  • Thrombophlebitis / veterinary*