Quantitative serum proteome analysis using tandem mass tags in dogs with epilepsy.

This study included four groups of dogs (group A: healthy controls, group B: idiopathic epilepsy receiving antiepileptic medication (AEM), group C: idiopathic epilepsy without AEM, group D: structural epilepsy). Comparative quantitative proteomic analysis of serum samples among the groups was the main target of the study. Samples were analyzed by a quantitative Tandem-Mass-Tags approach on the Q-Exactive-Plus Hybrid Quadrupole-Orbitrap mass-spectrometer. Identification and relative quantification were performed in Proteome Discoverer. Data were analyzed using R. Gene ontology terms were analyzed based on Canis lupus familiaris database. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD041129. Eighty-one proteins with different relative adundance were identified in the four groups and 25 were master proteins (p < 0.05). Clusterin (CLU), and apolipoprotein A1 (APOA1) had higher abundance in the three groups of dogs (groups B, C, D) compared to controls. Amine oxidase (AOC3) was higher in abundance in group B compared to groups C and D, and lower in group A. Adiponectin (ADIPOQ) had higher abundance in groups C compared to group A. ADIPOQ and fibronectin (FN1) had higher abundance in group B compared to group C and D. Peroxidase activity assay was used to quantify HP abundance change, validating and correlating with proteomic analysis (r = 0.8796). SIGNIFICANCE: The proteomic analysis of serum samples from epileptic dogs indicated potential markers of epilepsy (CLU), proteins that may contribute to nerve tissue regeneration (APOA1), and contributing factors to epileptogenesis (AOC3). AEM could alter extracellular matrix proteins (FN1). Illness (epilepsy) severity could influence ADIPOQ abundance.

Prevalence of SOD1 allele associated with degenerative myelopathy in canine population in Greece.

Canine degenerative myelopathy (CDM) is a late-onset fatal disorder associated with a point mutation of the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene (c.118G > A). The purpose of this study was to determine the genotype and allele frequencies of this mutation in 108 dogs, mainly in Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd dogs with (CDM-affected group) and without CDM clinical symptoms (control group) in Greece. Genotyping of the c.118G > A mutation was possible by Sanger sequencing and PCR-RFLP. The observed genotype frequencies for the control group were 89.4% for the homozygous (G/G), 9.6% for the heterozygous (A/G), and 0.96% for the homozygous mutant (A/A) allele. The mutant allele was not common in the Belgian Malinois dogs (allele frequency = 0.029), but quite common in the German Shepherd dogs (allele frequency = 0.138). In the CDM affected group, all 4 dogs were homozygous for the mutant allele. These frequencies were close to those expected, indicating no significant departure from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. A strong but not statistically significant association between the mutant allele and CDM was observed. A previously identified deletion upstream of the mutation of interest was found at a high frequency (0.361) in the population.

Comparative Evaluation between Visual and Automated Dipstick Urinalyses in Dogs.

Urine test strips are commercially available and can be assessed with semi-automated analyzers or by visual assessment. This study aimed to compare the visual and automated evaluations of dipstick variables in canine urine samples. One hundred and nineteen urine samples were evaluated. Automated analysis was performed on a veterinary urine analyzer URIT-50Vet (URIT Medical Electronic) with UC VET13 Plus strips. Multistix 10 SG dipsticks (Siemens Healthcare GmbH, Erlangen, Germany) were used for visual evaluation, along with a refractometer (Clinical Refractometer Atago T2-Ne, Atago Co., Tokyo, Japan) for urine specific gravity measurements. A linear relationship was observed between the pH measurements (p = 0.2) of the two methods; the Passing-Bablok procedure was valid since neither proportional nor systematic significant errors were observed. Comparing the two methods, the correlation for urine specific gravity was poor (p = 0.01, CI 0.667-1.000). Moderate agreement was demonstrated for proteins (κ = 0.431), bilirubin (κ = 0.434) and glucose (κ = 0.450). Agreement was substantial for blood (κ = 0.620) and poor for leukocytes (κ = 0.100). Poor agreement was observed for ketones (κ = -0.006). Apart from the pH analysis, visual and automated dipstick urinalyses should not be used interchangeably. Multiple urine samples obtained from the same dog during the day should be evaluated using the same method to overcome erroneous results.