Prognostic Potential of Thrombocyte Indices, Acute Phase Proteins, Electrolytes and Acid-Base Markers in Canine Parvovirus Infected Dogs With Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome.

Dogs with canine parvovirus enteritis (CPVE) that develop systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) frequently have a poor prognosis. The aim of the study was to assess the prognostic potential of thrombocyte indices, acute phase proteins, electrolytes, and acid-base markers in CPVE puppies with SIRS (CPVE-SIRS+) at admission. A case-controlled, prospective, and observational study was performed on 36 CPVE puppies. Mean concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, thrombocyte count, mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), chloride (Cl-) and ionized calcium (iCa) were measured and strong ion difference 3 (SID3), ATOT-albumin and ATOT-total protein were determined in CPVE-SIRS+ survivors and nonsurvivors. A prognostic cut-off value for predicting the disease outcome was determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The mean values of MPV, PDW and CRP were significantly higher and the mean values of albumin, Cl- and ATOT-albumin were significantly lower in CPVE-SIRS+ nonsurvivor than CPVE-SIRS+ survivor puppies on the day of admission, but the thrombocyte count, Na+, K+, iCa, SID3 and ATOT- total protein values did not differ significantly. The positive predictive values (PPVs) for survival using cut-off value of MPV (≤15.08 fL), PDW (≤14.85%), CRP (≤180.7 mg/L), albumin (≥1.795 g/dL), Cl- (≥96.00 mmol/L), and ATOT-albumin (≥7.539) were determined as 100%, 100%, 100%, 80%, 100%, and 80%, respectively with better area under ROC curve and sensitivity. Based on sensitivity, specificity, and PPVs from ROC analysis, it is concluded that the determination of Cl- concentration and MPV at admission followed by CRP will serve as the most appropriate biomarkers in predicting the disease outcome of CPVE puppies that develop SIRS.

Immunomodulating dose of levamisole stimulates innate immune response and prevents intestinal damage in porcine rotavirus diarrhea: a restricted-randomized, single-blinded, and placebo-controlled clinical trial.

A restricted-randomized, single-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted to examine whether immunomodulating dose of levamisole (LMS) can stimulate certain antiviral immune markers by measuring the concentrations of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), nitric oxide (NOx), and total immunoglobulin G (IgG); prevents the gut injury; and reduces fecal consistency and dehydration scores in rotavirus type A (RVA)-positive piglet diarrhea. The trial was executed between November 2015 and May 2016 in an institute owned experimental swine production farm. The naturally RVA-exposed diarrheic piglets were used in the study. The piglets born between November 2015 and May 2016, age group of 0 to 2 weeks and confirmed for RVA-positive diarrhea, were randomized to receive supportive treatment (ST) or ST along with levamisole (LMS + ST) at immunomodulating dose. Simultaneously, six piglets were randomly selected from healthy population and kept as placebo control. The primary outcome was reduction of fecal consistency and dehydration scores (≤ 1) over the trial period. The secondary outcome was reduction of concentration of gut injury marker and stimulation of immunomodulatory function. The LMS + ST treatment progressively improved the total leukocyte, neutrophil count, IgG concentration (p < 0.05), and reduced the intestinal fatty acid-binding protein 2 (IFABP-2) concentration in RV-positive diarrheic piglets than ST only. Although NOx and IFN-γ concentrations were enhanced initially on day 3, however, the values reduced significantly on day 5 in response to LMS + ST compared to ST. Interestingly, the scores of fecal consistency and dehydration of RVA-positive diarrheic piglets were dropped much earlier (on day 3) in response to LMS + ST than ST alone. The results indicate that LMS along with supportive treatment non-specifically modulated innate immunity and restored intestinal gut health, and thus, LMS may represent an additional therapeutic agent for management of RVA-inflicted piglet diarrhea.

Alterations in oxidant/antioxidant balance, high-mobility group box 1 protein and acute phase response in cross-bred suckling piglets suffering from rotaviral enteritis.

Rotaviral enteritis has emerged as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in piglets during their post-natal life. The present study was carried out to examine high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein, acute phase response and oxidative stress indices in the serum of suckling piglets suffering from enteritis with or without association of porcine group A rotavirus infection. The present investigation utilized 23 clinical cases with signs of acute enteritis and 12 more healthy piglets of a similar age group as control animals. Out of 23 enteritis cases, 12 cases were found to be positive for porcine group A rotavirus infection as confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using specific primers for group A rotavirus, and the rest were found negative. The acute enteritis cases in piglets were associated with an elevated level of HMGB1 protein and serum haptoglobin and ceruloplasmin suggestive of an acute phase response. Among the oxidative stress indices, the concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) in serum were significantly increased. A pronounced drop of total antioxidant capacity and the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase and superoxide dismutase in the serum of piglets suffering from acute enteritis compared to healthy ones were also noticed. The alterations in HMGB1 protein, acute phase response and oxidative stress indices were more pronounced in cases with the involvement of porcine rotavirus as compared to rotavirus-negative cases. It is concluded that HMGB1 protein, markers of oxidative stress and acute phase proteins might play an important role in the aetiopathogenesis of porcine diarrhoea caused by rotavirus and might be true markers in diagnosing the conditions leading to the extension of the prompt and effective therapeutic care.