Abstract
Canine intestinal lymphangiectasia (IL) is a condition characterized by variably severe gastrointestinal signs, frequently associated with laboratory abnormalities; the research for markers allowing a better understanding of the severity degree and/or obtaining an early diagnosis and/or monitoring is continuously progressing. In the present study, we investigated possible new diagnostic/follow-up markers in IL dogs, namely, serum C-reactive protein, serum bacterial lipopolysaccharide, serum cleaved cytokeratin 18, serum citrulline, and zonulin (in both serum and feces). A fecal proteomic study looking for possible confirmation and/or new marker candidates was also performed. All markers in both substrates, with the exception of serum citrulline, significantly differed between diseased and control dogs. Fecal proteomics allowed the retrieval of three proteins in IL dogs (Fc fragment of IgG-binding protein; transthyretin; proproteinase E) that were not previously found in clinically healthy subjects. Although further studies are needed, C-reactive protein, bacterial lipopolysaccharide, cleaved cytokeratin 18, and zonulin (in both serum and feces) resulted as promising markers for canine IL; similarly, fecal proteomics represents a road worthy of being pursued in the search for candidate biomarkers.
Highlights
Canine intestinal lymphangiectasia (IL) is a condition characterized by variably severe gastrointestinal (GI) signs, frequently associated with laboratory abnormalities involving albumin and cholesterol levels [1]
Hypoalbuminemia, hypocholesterolemia, lymphopenia, and hypocalcemia have been associated with IL, while other possible markers such as α1-proteinase inhibitor (α1-PI), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), C-reactive protein (CRP), and packed cell volume (PCV) have been investigated for the abovementioned purposes [2,6]; in the review by Craven et al other molecules such as cobalamin, perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, S100A12, and calprotectin were studied in dogs presenting protein-losing enteropathy [7]
Fecal proteomics (FP) was recently introduced in veterinary medicine in both healthy dogs and healthy cats, as well as in dogs suffering from food-responsive diarrhea [21,22,23]
Summary
Canine intestinal lymphangiectasia (IL) is a condition characterized by variably severe gastrointestinal (GI) signs, frequently associated with laboratory abnormalities involving albumin and cholesterol levels [1]. It is histologically characterized by variable degrees of lacteal dilatation, possibly leading to protein dispersion and subsequent protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) [1,2,3], justifying malabsorption and participating in the genesis of clinical signs. The research for markers allowing (i) the exact understanding of the severity degree, and/or (ii) an early diagnosis, as well as generally predicting the histologic appearance or granting the follow-up of the disease, is ongoing [6]. The immunomodulatory hemoglobin-binding protein haptoglobin (HP) gene harbors a common polymorphism with two different alleles: HP1 and HP2; in human, allele HP2 (genotype HP22) has been shown to be overrepresented in different immune diseases, as well as in patients with
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
