Comparative evaluation of selected serum and urine biomarkers in cats with interstitial and bacterial cystitis.

BACKGROUND: Although feline urine is increasingly submitted for bacterial culture and susceptibility testing in veterinary practice, bacterial cystitis (BC) is relatively uncommon compared with feline interstitial cystitis (FIC), which shares similar clinical manifestations. Therefore, an investigation of certain urothelial (glycosaminoglycan [GAG], tissue inhibition metalloproteinase-2 [TIMP-2]), cytokine (interleukin 12 [IL-12]), and neurotrophic factor (nerve growth factor [NGF]) markers may aid diagnosis. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic effectiveness of selected serum/urine biomarkers in the diagnosis of cats with FIC and BC. METHODS: Twelve healthy cats (Control group) and 24 cats with feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) were used, and the cats with FLUTD were divided into FIC and BC groups. RESULTS: When comparing the three groups, serum GAG, IL-12, NGF, and TIMP-2 concentrations were highest in the FIC group; urine GAG, IL-12, NGF, and TIMP-2 concentrations were higher in the FIC and BC groups than those in the Control group. Serum NGF concentrations were higher in the FIC group than in all other groups. Also, serum GAG, IL-12, NGF, and TIMP-2 concentrations were found to be effective in the differential diagnosis of FIC vs BC. CONCLUSIONS: We showed that serum NGF is a candidate biomarker that could be used in the diagnosis and differentiation of FIC. Urine GAG, IL-12, NGF, and TIMP-2 concentrations might be helpful in determining urinary bladder inflammation and/or damage in cats with FIC and BC. ROC analyses revealed that serum and urine biomarkers were effective for diagnosing FIC and that serum biomarkers rather than urine biomarkers were effective for the differential diagnosis of FIC and feline BC.

Comparison of some cytokines, acute phase proteins and citrulline levels in healthy and canine distemper infected dogs.

Canine distemper virus (CDV) is the etiological agent of severe disease in domestic and wild carnivores. Clinical diagnosis of CDV is challenging because of its similarity to other canine respiratory and intestinal diseases. We aimed to determine certain cytokine (interleukin [IL]-1ß, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α]), interferon (IFN)-γ, canine serum amyloid A (SAA), and canine citrulline (CIT) levels for the first time in CDV-positive dogs. For this purpose, 10 CDV-positive dogs with compatible clinical findings (i.e., neurological symptoms such as tremors and myoclonus, ocular and nasal discharge, and wheezing) and 10 healthy dogs based on the clinical examinations and rapid test results were enrolled. It was observed that the CIT, INF-γ, IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α levels were significantly decreased in the CDV-positive dogs than that of the healthy ones (P<0.05). As a result, it was observed that CDV causes immunosuppression and accordingly, the inflammatory response might cause decreased cytokine and acute-phase protein synthesis. Therefore, it was concluded that further investigation of inflammatory pathways and CIT interactions may provide crucial clinical information at different stages of CDV, and aforementioned parameters may serve as important biomarkers for CDV in terms of demonstrating the presence of immunosuppression.

Diagnostic effectiveness of stress biomarkers in cats with feline interstitial and bacterial cystitis.

BACKGROUND: Although bacterial cystitis (BC) and feline interstitial cystitis (FIC) are categorized under feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) due to their similar clinical manifestations, stress is an important factor for FIC. Therefore, the investigation of stress biomarkers might be important in the differentiation and elucidation of these conditions. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic effectiveness of serum and urine cortisol, serotonin, and dopamine concentrations and their relationship with stress in cats with FIC and BC. METHODS: Twelve healthy cats (Control group) and 24 cats with FLUTD were used. The cats with FLUTD were divided into FIC and BC groups. RESULTS: Multimodal environmental modification (MEMO) scores were found to be higher in the FIC group than in the BC and Control groups (P < .001). Urine serotonin concentrations were higher in cats with FIC and BC compared with those in the Control group. Based on ROC analyses, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of urine serotonin and dopamine were found to be statistically significant in being able to differentially diagnose cats in the FIC group vs the Control group. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of serum dopamine were also found to be statistically significant for the differential diagnosis of FIC and BC. CONCLUSIONS: High urine serotonin concentrations were found in cats with FLUTD compared with healthy controls and interpreted as the presence of stress not only in cats with FIC but also in cats with BC. Also, based on the ROC-based diagnostic performance evaluation of these stress biomarkers, urine serotonin, and dopamine concentrations can be used to diagnose FIC, and serum dopamine concentrations can be used to differentiate FIC and BC in cats.

Syrup Hedera helix Extract Poisoning in Dog: a Clinical Report / Intoxicación con jarabe de extracto de Hedera helix en perros: informe clínico

Abstract This clinical report describes a 1-year-old Golden Retriever dog weighing 24 kg that developed gastroenteritis as a result of the unprescribed and random use of a syrup Hedera helix extract, which is for human use only. Diagnosis was made after ruling out other factors that could cause gastroenteritis. An improvement in clinical findings was observed as a result of supportive treatment. It is already widely recognized that triterpene saponins, biological active compounds of Hedera helix, cause gastroenteritis in dogs and it is considered that unprescribed and random use of syrup Hedera helix at high doses, may cause severe gastroenteritis symptoms that will endanger life. It is concluded that successful management of Hedera helix extract poisoning depends on a good anamnesis, physical exams, and laboratory tests, rapidly ruling out other causes of gastroenteritis, quitting the use of syrup immediately and a supportive treatment.

Resumen En este informe clínico, se describe un cuadro de gastroenteritis desarrollada por un Golden Retriever de 1 año de edad que pesaba 24 kg, como resultado del uso aleatorio y sin receta de un extracto de jarabe de Hedera helix, que es solo para uso por humano. El diagnóstico se realizó después de que se descartados otros factores que podrían causar gastroenteritis. Se observó una mejora en los hallazgos clínicos como resultado del tratamiento de apoyo. Ya se ha reconocido ampliamente que las saponinas triterpénicas, que son compuestos biológicos activos de Hedera helix, causan gastroenteritis en perros y se considera que el uso aleatorio y sin receta de jarabe de extracto de Hedera helix en dosis altas puede provocar síntomas de gastroenteritis más graves que pondrán en peligro la vida. Se concluyó que el manejo exitoso de la intoxicación por Hedera helix depende de una buena anamnesis, exámenes físicos y de laboratorio, descartar rápidamente las otras causas de gastroenteritis, dejar inmediatamente el jarabe y tratamiento de apoyo.