Evaluation and comparison of serum procalcitonin and heparin-binding protein levels as biomarkers of bacterial infection in cats

Abstract

Objectives Although bacterial infection can lead to sepsis and high mortality, early and easy diagnosis of sepsis can improve survival. In cats, the diagnosis of systemic bacterial infection is quite challenging, and, usually, non-specific markers for inflammation are employed. In humans, procalcitonin, heparin-binding protein and absolute neutrophil count are biomarkers that are studied in bacterial infections and sepsis owing to their high sensitivity and specificity. Methods A total of 56 cats were categorised into 16 healthy cats and 40 bacterially infected cats, diagnosed by various examinations. In all cats, serum procalcitonin and heparin-binding protein levels were measured using ELISA and an absolute neutrophil count was performed. Results The median values of procalcitonin levels and absolute neutrophil count were significantly higher in the infection group than in the normal group, but heparin-binding protein levels were not. A procalcitonin level >366 pg/ml was a better biomarker of bacterial infection than heparin-binding protein and absolute neutrophil count (sensitivity: 67.5%; specificity: 93.8%). Procalcitonin was not correlated with heparin-binding protein ( r = 0.213, P = 0.115) and absolute neutrophil count ( r = 0.393, P = 0.003). Conclusions and relevance High procalcitonin levels in cats were associated with bacterial infection. Hence, procalcitonin could be a valuable marker for diagnosing bacterial infections in cats.

Acute phase proteins in cats: Diagnostic and prognostic role, future directions, and analytical challenges

“…Another marker that has gained increased interest for sepsis investigations in veterinary medicine is procalcitonin (PCT). Procalcitonin is synthesized in monocytes and hepatocytes as a prohormone of calcitonin in response to cytokine stimulation 112 . Bacterial infections are common in cats, and a local bacterial infection can progress to a life‐threatening condition 113,114 .…”

Use of serum procalcitonin (PCT) level and PCT mRNA expression as a potential clinical biomarker in cats with bacterial and viral infections

“…To date, only one study has investigated this topic, and indicated an increase in serum PCT levels in cats. 25 Likewise, serum PCT levels were higher in dogs with sepsis than in healthy controls. 24 However, viral infections were not evaluated in previous studies.…”

“…In addition, it has been reported that the PCT level begins to increase 2 h after a lipopolysaccharide injection in dogs, increases significantly over 12 h and returns to baseline after 48 h. 24 To the best of our knowledge, infection-associated PCT production in cats has been documented in a single study, which indicated an increase in serum PCT levels during bacterial infections. 25 However, PCT’s potential correlation with viral infections, the effect of different bacterial infections on PCT production and PCT’s correlation with mortality have not been investigated in cats. Furthermore, no studies investigating the significance of PCT mRNA expression have been published.…”

“…Non-specific clinical signs or indistinct alterations in acute-phase reactants are, unlike in dogs, a significant issue in cats. 25 Moreover, particular clinical biomarkers widely used in humans or dogs are inefficient in cats, 26 impeding diagnosis and the therapeutic approach, and thus increasing the mortality rate. Therefore, novel, reliable biomarkers are required in feline clinical practice.…”

Bir Akut Faz Protein Olan Prokalsitonin’in Biyobelirteç Olarak Veteriner Hekimlik Klinik Pratiğinde Kullanımı ve Önemi

“…Jae-Geum Cho ve ark. (42) bakteriyel enfeksiyon geçiren kedilerde PCT ve heparin binding protein (HBP) biyobelirteç olarak değerlendirilmiş ve iki parametre arasında kıyaslama yapmışlardır. Kırk tanesi bakteri enfeksiyonu geçiren, 16 tanesi kontrol olmak üzere toplam 56 tane kediaraştırmaya dahil edilmiştir.…”