Hyperaldosteronism and its association with hypotension and azotaemia in canine babesiosis

Abstract

Background: The previous work on canine babesiosis revealed hypokalaemia and increased fractional excretion of potassium in infected dogs suggesting a role for aldosterone in the loss of potassium via the kidneys in affected dogs. Moreover, hypotension, which is one of the complications of canine babesiosis leading to renal failure, may induce secondary hyperaldosteronism. Animals and methods: In this study, the serum aldosterone concentration was determined in 14 dogs infected with Babesia canis. The MannÀWhitney U test was used to compare serum aldosterone concentration and blood pressure between these dogs and 10 healthy dogs. Spearman's rank correlations between serum aldosterone concentration and blood pressure and between serum aldosterone and urea and creatinine concentrations were calculated. Results: Increased concentrations of aldosterone above reference intervals were observed in only 4 out of the 14 dogs. The results showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher serum aldosterone concentrations and lower blood pressures in infected dogs in comparison to healthy dogs, and significantly negative correlations between aldosterone concentration and systolic arterial pressure (r D ¡0.63), diastolic arterial pressure (r D ¡0.67) and mean arterial pressure (r D ¡0.65). Serum aldosterone concentration was also significantly correlated with serum urea concentration (r D 0.72), serum creatinine concentration (r D 0.69) and serum potassium concentration (r D ¡0.57). Conclusion:The results of this study show hyperaldosteronism in some cases of canine babesiosis as a possible response to hypotension. However, both the hypotension and severe azotaemia observed in dogs infected with B. canis and associated hyperaldosteronaemia suggest that this response is insufficient.

The prevalence of Dirofilaria repens in cats, healthy dogs and dogs with concurrent babesiosis in an expansion zone in central Europe

“…Although D. repens infections are more prevalent, but generally asymptomatic, in dogs in central Poland, infection with B. canis rarely remains asymptomatic [29, 39] although the course of babesiosis may differ from moderate to severe and sometimes even fatal. All the dogs involved in this phase of our study were infected with B. canis , presenting a range of symptoms and typically characteristic changes in blood parameters [40–44]. Additionally, to check if there were any asymptomatic co-infections of B. canis and D. repens , we tested 94 healthy dogs from Mazovia by the same molecular techniques.…”

Evaluation of Tryptic Podocin Peptide in Urine Sediment Using LC-MS-MRM Method as a Potential Biomarker of Glomerular Injury in Dogs with Clinical Signs of Renal and Cardiac Disorders

“…Cyst C was determined using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry—a nephelometric analysis dedicated to dogs. Reference values for urea, creatinine, Cyst C, SDMA, aldosteron that were used in this study have been published elsewhere [26,27,28,29].…”

A review of canine babesiosis: the European perspective

“…Hypoalbuminemia, azotemia and elevation of liver enzymes (ALT, ALP) Azotemia, proteinuria, cylindruria and hyperglobulinemia Course of infection related to disease manifestation Acute Acute and chronic Acute and chronic Acute and chronic? Prognosis Good to poor Good Guarded to poor Guarded to poor Reference [ 84 , 89 , 106 , 131 , 162 – 167 ] [ 84 , 106 , 162 ] [ 48 , 102 , 132 , 168 – 171 ] [ 16 , 35 , 86 , 172 ] Common clinical signs and laboratory abnormalities among Babesia spp. : Fever, lethargy, anorexia, pale mucous membranes, weakness, bounding pulse, jaundice, pigmenturia, mild to severe thrombocytopenia, mild to severe regenerative anaemia due to hemolysis, bilirubinemia, bilirubinuria, and haemoglobinuria …”