Preliminary Studies of Serum Acute-Phase Protein Concentrations in Hematologic and Neoplastic Diseases of the Dog

Abstract

Serum concentrations of acute-phase proteins (APPs): haptoglobin (Hp), ceruloplasmin (Cp), serum amyloid A (SAA), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined in healthy dogs (n = 15) and dogs with different diseases grouped as acute inflammation (I, n = 12), hematologic neoplasias (HT, including leukemia and lymphoma, n = 16), nonhematologic neoplasias (NHT, including epithelial, mesenchymal, and mixed, n = 20), and autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA, n = 8). SAA and CRP were analyzed using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits, and Hp and Cp were measured using colorimetric methods, all previously validated for use in dogs. Increased concentrations of all APPs were observed in all groups of diseased dogs, but statistical significance only was observed with Hp (I, P < .001; HT, P < .05), Cp (I, P < .05; AIHA, P < .01), and CRP (I, P < .001; HT, P < .001; AIHA, CRP P < .05). High variability in individual APPs within each group of diseases was found with no significant differences between leukemia and lymphoma as well as among different types of neoplasia. The AIHA group had smaller increases in Hp, SAA, and CRP but higher concentrations of Cp. When follow-up of individual cases was possible, a decrease in APPs generally was found in cases with favorable outcome. The results of this study suggest that neoplasia and hematologic diseases such as AIHA should be considered as possible causes of mild increases in APPs in dogs. Measurement of APPs may be helpful to assess clinical evolution and monitor treatment of these processes.

C-Reactive Protein Concentration in Canine Idiopathic Polyarthritis

“…We observed increased CRP concentrations in all the IPA dogs included in this study. This finding was expected based on previous studies that reported elevated CRP concentrations in dogs with other inflammatory diseases [10,12,13,18]. However, all the IPA dogs showed remarkable increase in the CRP levels; these levels in 11 dogs (29%) were greater than the measurement limit.…”

“…CRP has also been used as a predictor of survival in some neoplastic conditions [17] and of risk for myocardial infarction and stroke [6,20]. Recently, the CRP concentration was measured in dogs and it was shown to be elevated in several conditions such as surgical trauma [13], inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) [12], pancreatitis [10], and autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) [18]. In Japan, a nepherometric immunoassay that is specific for canine CRP was developed in 1998, and the data of canine plasma CRP concentrations were accumulated for more than 10 years [13].…”

Serum Acute Phase Protein Concentrations in Female Dogs with Mammary Tumors

“…5 Increased concentrations of positive APPs, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA), have been found in dogs with lymphoma and other hematologic malignancies. 7,8,17 Measurements of APPs can be used as a screening test for systemic response to an inflammatory stimulus and may be helpful to assess clinical progression and to monitor treatment of some neoplastic diseases. 17 Many reports can be found in human literature where APPs have been extensively studied in breast cancer at different stages and clinical presentations.…”

“…7,8,17 Measurements of APPs can be used as a screening test for systemic response to an inflammatory stimulus and may be helpful to assess clinical progression and to monitor treatment of some neoplastic diseases. 17 Many reports can be found in human literature where APPs have been extensively studied in breast cancer at different stages and clinical presentations. 11,12,18,21 However, similar information is not available regarding APPs and mammary tumors in female dogs.…”

C-Reactive Protein Concentration in Dogs with Various Diseases

“…The blood concentration of CRP is known to be elevated 100-to 1000-fold within 24-48 hr after inflammatory irritation, and it is broadly used as a sensitive inflammatory marker in human medicine. Similarly, the CRP concentration is known to be elevated in canine patients with inflammatory conditions, and its elevation has been reported in infectious diseases such as leptospirosis, babesiosis, and parvovirus infection [5]; surgical trauma [6]; malignant tumors such as lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma [12,18]; pyometra [8]; acute pancreatitis [11]; immunemediated hemolytic anemia; arthritis; glomerulonephritis [13]; and experimental inflammation. However, in veterinary medicine, CRP levels have not been widely examined in routine tests, and there are no thorough studies concerning CRP concentration in disease.…”