Serum protein electrophoresis in 26 dogs with chronic hepatitis.

Serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) shows the distribution of protein fractions, helping clinicians to characterize some pathologic processes. Information is lacking in the literature about SPE alterations in dogs with chronic hepatitis (CH). Our aim was to describe SPE alterations in canine CH, to compare SPE results to histologic scores, and to study SPE trends during follow-up. We reviewed retrospectively case data from dogs with a histologic diagnosis of CH. Only cases with SPE, CBC, and serum chemistry results available were included. Dogs were divided into subgroups based on histologic necroinflammatory activity (A) and fibrosis (F) scores (groups A0-1 and A>1; groups F<2 and F≥2). We included 26 dogs; 15 had follow-up SPE. The most common SPE alterations at admission were hypoalbuminemia (n = 16), increases in α1-globulins (n = 11), γ-globulins (n = 11), α2-globulins (n = 8), ß2-globulins (n = 7), and ß1-globulins (n = 6), and decreased albumin:globulin (A:G) ratios (n = 20). Four of 11 dogs had ß-γ bridging. Groups with higher A and F scores had higher ß2-globulins. Eleven of 15 dogs with a post-treatment SPE had a decrease in γ-globulins and increase in A:G ratio compared to their T0, although there was no statistically significant difference. Although further studies are warranted, SPE may be useful for monitoring canine CH.

Relationship between Serum Protein Electrophoresis, Endoscopic and Histopathological Scores in 99 Cats with Chronic Enteropathy.

Few studies have investigated total protein (TP) and serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) in cats with chronic enteropathy (CE). Cats diagnosed with CE were evaluated to investigate the relationships between TP, SPE and endoscopy, histopathology, and extraintestinal involvement. Medical records were searched for cats with a history of chronic gastrointestinal signs and a final diagnosis of CE. Information on signalment, TP, SPE, endoscopic score, histopathological diagnosis and score, and concurrent hepatic or pancreatic ultrasonographic alterations was collected. Relationships between protein profiles and other variables were investigated. Ninety-nine cats were included in the study, 63 diagnosed with various degrees of bowel inflammation and 36 with small-cell alimentary lymphoma. The most common TP alteration was hypoproteinemia (24%). No significant differences were observed between protein profiles and endoscopic and histopathological severity scores. Forty-five cats showing concurrent pancreatic and/or hepatic ultrasonographic alterations, had significantly lower albumin, lower α-globulin, and higher γ-globulin levels than cats not showing concurrent alterations. Disease severity scores did not seem to influence the protein profile in cats with CE. Extraintestinal involvement may be suspected in cats with lower albumin and α-globulins and higher γ-globulins.