Abstract
Simple SummarySerum Amyloid A (SAA) is one of the most sensitive tests to detect inflammation in cats. In this study, two point-of-care assays for serum amyloid A measurements in cats were analytically evaluated. The two assays were accurate and showed significant correlations with an automated assay previously validated in cats, although one of them did not show an optimal precision. Both assays were able to detect higher SAA concentrations in cats with inflammatory diseases than in cats without inflammatory diseases. In conclusion, this manuscript provides data about the possible application of two point-of-care assays for the measurement of SAA concentration in cats.Serum Amyloid A (SAA) is one of the most sensitive tests to detect inflammation in cats. In this study, two point-of-care assays for SAA measurements in cats (FUJI DRI-CHEM IMMUNO AU CARTRIDGE vf-SAA (method A), and CUBE-VET analyser (Method B), were analytically evaluated. Regarding the imprecision precision only the method A showed intra-assay and inter-assay CV < 10% at all concentrations. Both assays showed linearity with r close to 1 and the recovery were in the range of 81–112% for assay A and 85–125% for assay B and the limit of detection were 3.75 and 0.5 mg/dL for method A and B, respectively. A previously validated method for SAA quantification SAATIA; LZ-SAA (method C) was used as gold-standard to evaluate the accuracy of the assays. Significant correlations (p < 0.0001) were found between assays A and C (r = 0.94) and B and C (r = 0.91). In addition, an overlap performance test was made using serum samples from cats with non-inflammatory and cats with inflammatory. Both assays showed higher median SAA concentrations in cats with inflammatory diseases than in cats without inflammatory diseases (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, this manuscript provides data about the possible application of two point-of-care assays for the measurement of SAA concentration in cats.
Highlights
When a specimen is applied to a cartridge, the specimen and the dried fluorescence particle-labeled anti-serum amyloid A (SAA) mouse monoclonal enclosed in the cartridge are mixed
The results found from the serial dilution of pools samples with high concentrations of SAA showed an r value close to 1 in all cases (A: r = 0.97; B: r = 0.97 and C: r = 0.97)
All assays were linear; in our experience with high values of assays B and C, in some cases, they can lose their linearity due to the existence of a Hook effect. This could occur in situations in which in cat with high suspicion of inflammation based on the clinical exam and data from other analysis has SAA in normal values
Summary
APPs represent a very useful additional tool to the biochemical profile or haemogram, improving the clinical value of the laboratory data to detect and monitor inflammatory conditions. Some guidelines about accurate use and interpretation of APPs have been described, that can help practitioners to their use [1,2]. In these guidelines it is of importance to make an adequate analytical validation since validated assays should be always used for the measurement of APPs. an analytical validation of any assay should be performed, including at least analytical precision and accuracy. An overlap performance test with healthy individuals and individuals with an inflammatory condition is recommended before the routine use of the assay in clinic [2]
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