Evaluation of a rapid method for measuring lactate in the venous blood of ruminants

BACKGROUND: In cattle and small ruminants, blood lactate can predict recovery and survival in various diseases. Increased lactate concentration is associated with an unfavourable-to-poor prognosis. Different mobile rapid lactate measurement devices have been explored in different animal species. This study evaluated one device for use in ruminants. METHODS: Venous blood samples were taken from 111 cattle, 132 sheep, 101 goats and 57 South American camelids, and the StatStrip Xpress Lactate (Nova Biomedical) was used to evaluate lactate concentrations. The RAPIDPoint 500e blood gas analysis system (Siemens Healthineers) was the reference standard. RESULTS: There was a strong positive correlation between the two measurement methods (Spearman rank correlation-cattle: r = 0.963, p < 0.001; sheep: r = 0.986, p < 0.001; goats: r = 0.971, p < 0.001; South American camelids: r = 0.852, p > 0.001). The Passing‒Bablok regression showed proportional and systematic differences between the methods. LIMITATION: The number of blood samples from South American camelids was relatively low. CONCLUSION: The StatStrip Xpress Lactate rapid measurement method is a suitable diagnostic tool for safely determining venous blood lactate concentration in cattle, small ruminants and South American camelids.