Effects of the clinical severity of disease and concomitant pyoderma on serum acute-phase proteins concentrations in dogs with sarcoptic mange.

BACKGROUND: Information on acute-phase protein (APP) concentrations in dogs with sarcoptic mange (SM) is scarce. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of the clinical severity of disease and concomitant pyoderma on serum C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid-A (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp) and ceruloplasmin (Cp) concentrations in dogs with SM. ANIMALS: Forty client-owned dogs with SM (INF group) and 10 healthy control dogs (CON group). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The INF group was divided into three subgroups; Group 1 (mild/moderate), Group 2 (severe) and Group 3 (severe+pyoderma) according to the extent of skin lesions and the presence of concomitant pyoderma. Serum CRP, SAA, Hp and Cp concentrations of all study groups were measured. RESULTS: Serum CRP (P < 0.001), SAA (P < 0.001) and Hp (P = 0.016) concentrations of the INF group were higher than the CON group, with no difference in terms of Cp. A statistical difference was measured between groups 2 and 1 in SAA only. C-reactive protein was found to be significantly higher in dogs with severe SM accompanied by pyoderma (Group 3) when compared with dogs with severe SM (Group 2). The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curves differentiating pyoderma among dogs with severe SM was 0.850 for CRP (P = 0.0001, cut-off value >61.3 mg/L with sensitivity 69.29% and specificity 90.91%). CONCLUSIONS: The unique findings in this were that the SAA serum concentrations are related to the severity of SM and that serum CRP concentrations are effective in detecting the presence of pyoderma in dogs with severe SM.

Conclusions - The unique findings in this were that the SAA serum concentrations are related to the severity of SM and that serum CRP concentrations are correlated with the presence of pyoderma in dogs with severe SM. Contexte - Les informations sur les concentrations de protéines de phase aiguë (APP) chez les chiens atteints de gale sarcoptique (SM) sont rares. Objectif - Déterminer les effets de la gravité clinique de la maladie et de la pyodermite concomitante sur les concentrations sériques de protéine C-réactive (CRP), d'amyloïde-A (SAA), d'haptoglobine (Hp) et de céruloplasmine (Cp) chez les chiens atteints de SM. Animaux - Quarante chiens de propriétaires atteints de SM (groupe INF) et 10 chiens témoins sains (groupe CON). Matériels et méthodes - Le groupe INF a été divisé en trois sous-groupes ; Groupe 1 (léger/modéré), Groupe 2 (sévère) et Groupe 3 (sévère + pyodermite) selon l'étendue des lésions cutanées et la présence de pyodermite concomitante. Les concentrations sériques de CRP, SAA, Hp et Cp de tous les groupes d'étude ont été mesurées. Résultats - Les concentrations sériques de CRP (P < 0,001), SAA (P < 0,001) et Hp (P = 0,016) du groupe INF étaient supérieures à celles du groupe CON, sans différence en termes de Cp. Une différence statistique a été mesurée entre les groupes 2 et 1 en SAA uniquement. La protéine C-réactive s'est avérée significativement plus élevée chez les chiens atteints de SM sévère accompagnée de pyodermite (groupe 3) par rapport aux chiens atteints de SM sévère (groupe 2). L'aire sous les courbes caractéristiques de fonctionnement du récepteur différenciant la pyodermite chez les chiens atteints de SM sévère était de 0,850 pour la CRP (P = 0,0001, valeur seuil > 61,3 mg/L avec une sensibilité de 69,29 % et une spécificité de 90,91 %). Conclusions - Les résultats uniques dans ce cas étaient que les concentrations sériques de SAA sont liées à la gravité de la SM et que les concentrations sériques de CRP sont corrélées à la présence de pyodermite chez les chiens atteints de SM sévère.

Introducción- la información sobre las concentraciones de proteína de fase aguda (APP) en perros con sarna sarcóptica (SM) es escasa. Objetivo- determinar los efectos de la gravedad clínica de enfermedad y pioderma concomitante en las concentraciones de proteína C reactiva (CRP) sérica, amiloide-A sérica (SAA), haptoglobina (Hp) y ceruloplasmina (Cp) en perros con SM. Animales - Cuarenta perros de propietarios particulares con SM (grupo INF) y 10 perros de control sanos (grupo CON). Materiales y métodos - El grupo INF se dividió en tres subgrupos; Grupo 1 (leve/moderada), Grupo 2 (grave) y Grupo 3 (grave+pioderma) según la extensión de las lesiones cutáneas y la presencia de pioderma concomitante. Se midieron las concentraciones séricas de CRP, SAA, Hp y Cp de todos los grupos de estudio. Resultados- las concentraciones séricas de CRP (P < 0,001), SAA (P < 0,001) y Hp (P = 0,016) del grupo INF fueron más altas que las del grupo CON, sin diferencias en términos de Cp. Se observó una diferencia estadística entre los grupos 2 y 1 en SAA solamente. Se encontró que la proteína C reactiva era significativamente más alta en perros con SM severa acompañada de pioderma (Grupo 3) en comparación con perros con SM severa (Grupo 2). El área bajo las curvas de características operativas del receptor que diferencian la pioderma entre perros con SM grave fue de 0,850 para CRP (P = 0,0001, valor de corte >61,3 mg/l con sensibilidad del 69,29 % y especificidad del 90,91 %). Conclusiones- los hallazgos únicos en esto estudio fueron que las concentraciones séricas de SAA están relacionadas con la gravedad de la SM y que las concentraciones séricas de CRP están correlacionadas con la presencia de pioderma en perros con SM grave.

Contexto - São escassas as informações sobre as concentrações de proteínas de fase aguda (PFA) em cães com sarna sarcóptica (SS) são escassas. Objetivo - Determinar os efeitos da gravidade da doença e a piodermite concomitante nas concentrações de proteína C-reativa (PCR), amiloide sérico A (ASA), haptoglobina (Hp) e ceruloplasmina (Cp) em cães com SS. Animais - Quarenta cães de clientes com SS (grupo INF) e 10 cães controle saudáveis (grupo CON). Materiais e métodos - O grupo INF foi dividido em três subgrupos; Grupo 1 (leve/moderado), Grupo 2 (grave), Grupo 3 (grave + piodermite) de acordo com a extensão das lesões cutâneas e a presença de piodermite concomitante. As concentrações séricas de PCR, ASA, Hp e Cp, foram mensuradas. Resultados - As concentrações séricas de PCR (P < 0,001), ASA (P < 0,001) e Hp (P = 0,016) no grupo INF foram maiores que no grupo COM, sem diferenças em termos de Cp. Mensurou-se a diferença estatística entre os grupos 2 e 1 no ASA apenas. A proteína C-reativa foi significativamente maior em cães com SS grave com piodermite (Grupo 3) quando comparado com cães com SS grave (Grupo 2). A área sob as curvas características de operação do receptor que diferenciam piodermite entre cães com SS grave foi 0,850 para a PCR (P = 0,0001, valor de corte > 61,3 mg/L com sensibilidade de 69,29% e especificidade de 90,91%). Conclusões - Os achados mais singulares deste estudo foram de que as concentrações séricas de ASA são relacionadas à severidade da SS e que as concentrações séricas de PCR são correlacionadas com a presença de piodermite em cães com SS grave.

Reference intervals for serum amyloid A, haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin, and fibrinogen in apparently healthy neonatal lambs.

BACKGROUND: Acute-phase proteins (APPs) are considered biomarkers for diagnoses, prognoses, and treatment and health status monitoring. Reference intervals (RIs) are an integral part of diagnostic laboratory testing and clinical decision-making. The RIs for neonatal lambs are lacking. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the RIs of serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp), ceruloplasmin (Cp), and fibrinogen (Fb) concentrations in neonatal cross-bred Kivircik lambs. METHODS: The study consisted of 42 neonatal cross-bred Kivircik lambs. Physical examinations were performed daily, and blood samples were collected at 0 (precolostrum), 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days of age. The RIs of SAA, Hp, Cp, and Fb concentrations were calculated according to the recommendation of the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology. Results were also evaluated for age- and sex-related effects. RESULTS: The RI for serum Hp was 0-0.4 g/L, and no apparent effect of age or sex was noted. Because of significant age- and sex-related differences, the SAA (0.34-55.12 µg/mL), Cp (2.4-26.07 mg/mL), and Fb (218.86-527.82 mg/mL) results were given as minimum and maximum values. Serum SAA on the 1st, 3rd, and 7th days of life, and Cp and Fb concentrations on the 14th and 21st days of life, were significantly higher than those on other study days. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to establish RIs for neonatal lambs, and the values obtained could be useful for making clinical decisions regarding cross-bred Kivircik lambs during this critical period.

Molecular Identification and Clinicopathological Findings of Hepatozoon sp. Infection in a Cat: First Report from Turkey.

Hepatozoon is a genus of protozoa belonging to the phylum Apicomplexa. Ticks are the vectors for the members of this genus. The protozoans infect a wide variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. The domestic and wild felids are also susceptible to Hepatozoon infection. A five-year-old female cat was presented to the Adnan Menderes University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Animal Hospital, with a 1-month history of inappetence and weight loss. In a physical examination, weakness, depression, anorexia, lymphadenopathy, icteric mucous membranes, abdominal distension, and fever were detected. Laboratory analysis revealed anemia, neutrophilic leukocytosis, and increased serum total bilirubin and indirect bilirubin concentrations. Hepatozoonosis was diagnosed by the observation of Hepatozoon spp. gamonts within neutrophils in Giemsa-stained blood smears and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This is the first report about the molecular identification of hepatozoonosis in a cat from Turkey.