Effect of selected gastrointestinal parasites and viral agents on fecal S100A12 concentrations in puppies as a potential comparative model

Abstract

BackgroundPrevious data suggest that fecal S100A12 has clinical utility as a biomarker of chronic gastrointestinal inflammation (idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease) in both people and dogs, but the effect of gastrointestinal pathogens on fecal S100A12 concentrations is largely unknown. The role of S100A12 in parasite and viral infections is also difficult to study in traditional animal models due to the lack of S100A12 expression in rodents. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate fecal S100A12 concentrations in a cohort of puppies with intestinal parasites (Cystoisospora spp., Toxocara canis, Giardia sp.) and viral agents that are frequently encountered and known to cause gastrointestinal signs in dogs (coronavirus, parvovirus) as a comparative model.MethodsSpot fecal samples were collected from 307 puppies [median age (range): 7 (4−13) weeks; 29 different breeds] in French breeding kennels, and fecal scores (semiquantitative system; scores 1−13) were assigned. Fecal samples were tested for Cystoisospora spp. (C. canis and C. ohioensis), Toxocara canis, Giardia sp., as well as canine coronavirus (CCV) and parvovirus (CPV). S100A12 concentrations were measured in all fecal samples using an in-house radioimmunoassay. Statistical analyses were performed using non-parametric 2-group or multiple-group comparisons, non-parametric correlation analysis, association testing between nominal variables, and construction of a multivariate mixed model.ResultsFecal S100A12 concentrations ranged from < 24−14,363 ng/g. Univariate analysis only showed increased fecal S100A12 concentrations in dogs shedding Cystoisospora spp. (P = 0.0384) and in dogs infected with parvovirus (P = 0.0277), whereas dogs infected with coronavirus had decreased fecal S100A12 concentrations (P = 0.0345). However, shedding of any single enteropathogen did not affect fecal S100A12 concentrations in multivariate analysis (all P > 0.05) in this study. Only fecal score and breed size had an effect on fecal S100A12 concentrations in multivariate analysis (P < 0.0001).ConclusionsAn infection with any single enteropathogen tested in this study is unlikely to alter fecal S100A12 concentrations, and these preliminary data are important for further studies evaluating fecal S100A12 concentrations in dogs or when using fecal S100A12 concentrations as a biomarker in patients with chronic idiopathic gastrointestinal inflammation.

Association of clinical characteristics and lifestyle factors with fecal S100/calgranulin concentrations in healthy dogs

“…Age was not linked to fecal S100/calgranulin concentrations in this study, which agrees with our previous results showing a lack of an effect of age on fecal calprotectin concentrations in a small number of healthy adult dogs (Heilmann et al, 2008) and on fecal S100A12 concentrations in healthy puppies and adult dogs (Heilmann, Grellet, et al, 2018;Heilmann, Lanerie, et al, 2011). These results are also consistent with a human study showing age not to affect fecal calprotectin concentrations in adults (Kant et al, 2013).…”

“…Small breed size was significantly associated with higher fecal S100A12 and fecal calprotectin concentrations, but there was no difference in fCalR. This clinically important finding is consistent with a significant effect of breed size on fecal S100A12 concentrations in a large group of healthy puppies (Heilmann, Grellet, et al, 2018).…”

“…Thus, a potential effect of fecal consistency on the difference in fecal S100/calgranulin concentrations among the different breed sizes cannot be evaluated. However, in healthy puppies, the effect of fecal consistency on S100A12 concentrations was independent of the effect of breed size (Heilmann, Grellet, et al., 2018).…”

“…However, there was no age effect on fecal calprotectin concentrations in healthy adult dogs (Heilmann et al., 2008). Fecal S100A12 concentrations were not associated with age in healthy puppies and adult dogs (Heilmann, Grellet, et al., 2018; Heilmann, Lanerie, et al., 2011). Sex‐related differences in fecal S100A12 concentrations were also not observed in that study (Heilmann, Lanerie, et al., 2011).…”

“…Sex‐related differences in fecal S100A12 concentrations were also not observed in that study (Heilmann, Lanerie, et al., 2011). Shedding of enteropathogens (viral and/or parasitic agents) did not affect fecal S100A12 or fecal calprotectin concentrations (Grellet et al., 2016; Heilmann, Grellet, et al., 2018), but the fecal score and breed size affected fecal S100A12 concentrations in healthy puppies (Heilmann, Grellet, et al., 2018).…”