Inflammatory, immunological, and intestinal disease biomarkers in Chinese Shar-Pei dogs with marked hypocobalaminemia

Abstract

Abstract. Chinese Shar-Pei dogs have a high prevalence of hypocobalaminemia and are commonly presented with clinical signs suggestive of severe and long-standing gastrointestinal disease such as diarrhea, vomiting, and/or weight loss. The aim of the current study was to evaluate serum concentrations of inflammatory markers, markers for intestinal disease, and immunological markers in Shar-Peis with hypocobalaminemia or normocobalaminemia (serum cobalamin concentrations within the reference interval). Serum samples from Shar-Peis were collected from various parts of the United States. Serum concentrations of inflammatory markers (i.e., C-reactive protein [CRP], calprotectin [CP], and S100A12), hyaluronic acid (HA, a marker for cutaneous mucinosis), and analytes commonly altered in chronic intestinal diseases (i.e., albumin, zinc, alphaA, and IgM) were compared between Shar-Peis with hypocobalaminemia and Shar-Peis with normocobalaminemia. Serum concentrations of CRP, CP, S100A12, HA, zinc, and cα 1 -PI concentrations did not differ between hypocobalaminemic and normocobalaminemic Shar-Peis (P > 0.05). Serum concentrations of albumin were significantly lower in hypocobalaminemic Shar-Peis (median: 2.5 g/dl) than in normocobalaminemic Shar-Peis (median: 2.9 g/ dl; P < 0.0001). Higher serum IgA concentrations and lower serum IgM concentrations were observed in hypocobalaminemic Shar-Peis (median: 1.7 g/l and 0.8 g/l, respectively) than in normocobalaminemic Shar-Peis (median: 0.7 g/l and 1.9 g/l, respectively; both P < 0.0001). In conclusion, no difference was found in serum concentrations of CRP, CP, S100A12, and HA between hypocobalaminemic and normocobalaminemic Shar-Peis whereas some differences were observed in analytes (e.g., albumin, IgA, and IgM) that may be altered in patients with chronic enteropathies.

Serologic and fecal markers to predict response to induction therapy in dogs with idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease

“…31 No significant difference in serum calprotectin concentrations was found in Shar-Pei dogs when compared with those dogs without hypocobalaminemia. 32 Serum biomarkers and survival times in dogs with protein-losing enteropathy and foodresponsive diarrhea reveal increased serum calprotectin in both groups, but not a significant difference in the magnitude of serum calprotectin between both groups. 33 Our results support previously established data supporting that serum cCP might not be an ideal marker for IBD.…”

“…However, the sensitivity and specificity to differentiate healthy and dogs with IBD with an established cutoff, was only 82.4% and 68.4%, respectively . No significant difference in serum calprotectin concentrations was found in Shar‐Pei dogs when compared with those dogs without hypocobalaminemia . Serum biomarkers and survival times in dogs with protein‐losing enteropathy and food‐responsive diarrhea reveal increased serum calprotectin in both groups, but not a significant difference in the magnitude of serum calprotectin between both groups .…”

Review of cobalamin status and disorders of cobalamin metabolism in dogs

“…Chinese Shar‐Peis have a high prevalence of cobalamin deficiency compared to other canine breeds . Even apparently healthy Chinese Shar‐Peis have increased serum MMA concentrations compared to healthy dogs of other breeds, which led to the hypothesis that some healthy Chinese Shar‐Peis have subclinical cobalamin deficiency .…”

“…Cobalamin deficiency in Chinese Shar‐Peis is also associated with hyperhomocysteinemia . Clinical signs of affected dogs reflect primarily an involvement of the GI tract with chronic signs of GI disease such as diarrhea, vomiting, and weight loss . Classical signs of cobalamin deficiency such as hyperammonemia, hypoglycemia, and seizures are typically lacking in these dogs …”

Clinical utility of currently available biomarkers in inflammatory enteropathies of dogs

“…It is a very sensitive and specific marker of localized inflammatory processes, such as gastrointestinal inflammation,128 and can be increased in serum with various inflammatory disorders 47, 116, 118, 129, 130. In contrast to calprotectin, corticosteroid treatment does not affect serum S100A12 concentrations 131…”