Plasma procalcitonin kinetics in healthy dogs and dogs undergoing tibial plateau leveling osteotomy

Abstract

Background: Procalcitonin (PCT) is a well-established biomarker for bacterial infection in human patients.Objectives: We aimed to analyze the kinetics of plasma PCT (pPCT) in healthy dogs and dogs with canine cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture undergoing tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO). Methods:This prospective, longitudinal study included 15 healthy dogs and 25 dogs undergoing TPLO. Hematology, pPCT, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were assessed on 3 consecutive days in healthy dogs and 1 day preoperatively and days 1, 2, 10, and 56 postoperatively. Inter-and intraindividual variability of pPCT were assessed in healthy dogs. Median pPCT concentrations of dogs with CCL rupture preoperatively were compared with healthy controls, and median pPCT concentrations, as well as percentage change post anesthesia, arthroscopy, and TPLO, were compared with baseline.For the correlation analysis, the Spearman rank correlation test was used.Results: Inter-and intraindividual variabilities of pPCT in healthy dogs were 36% and 15%, respectively. Median baseline pPCT concentrations were not significantly different between healthy dogs (118.9 pg/mL; IQR: 75.3-157.3 pg/mL) and dogs undergoing TPLO (95.9 pg/mL; IQR: 63.8-117.0 pg/mL). Plasma PCT concentrations were significantly lower immediately post-than preoperatively (P < 0.001). CRP, WBC, and neutrophil concentrations increased significantly on post-OP day 2 and had normalized by day 10. Conclusions:These results indicate that CCL rupture, as well as anesthesia, arthroscopy, and TPLO combined, are not associated with increased pPCT concentrations in dogs with uncomplicated recovery. Considering the high intraindividual variability, individual serial measurements rather than a population-based reference interval should be considered.

Serum procalcitonin as a diagnostic biomarker in dogs with bacterial respiratory diseases

“…However, as the magnitude of LLOD was similar in both studies, the authors considered that it was unlikely that this slight difference affected the interpretation of results. Furthermore, in our study, the age or weight of the dogs did not affect PCT concentrations, which is in line with previous reports 30 …”

“…Furthermore, in our study, the age or weight of the dogs did not affect PCT concentrations, which is in line with previous reports. 30 An important limitation in this study was that many dogs with BP had already received antimicrobial treatment. This could potentially affect the results as PCT is known to decrease in humans after initiation of successful therapy and this can be used as a marker of treatment response.…”

“…Moreover, the ability of serum PCT to differentiate between bacterial and non‐bacterial disease processes in dogs may be limited, as PCT was equally elevated in dogs with gastric dilatation‐volvulus as well as both in dogs with septic and non‐septic effusions 16,28 . Additionally, recent reports have described a markedly wide interindividual variation of serum PCT concentration in healthy dogs, further complicating the interpretation of single PCT measurements 29,30 …”