Abstract
Simple SummaryWhen collecting blood samples in dogs for evaluating inflammatory conditions, this method is invasive and stressful to dogs. We compared the C-reactive protein (CRP) level in both blood and saliva samples to investigate the non-invasive test method for inflammation. There was a correlation between the blood and saliva CRP levels. This non-invasive test using saliva seems to be a useful method with which to assess inflammatory conditions in dogs.We performed this study to characterize the difference between the inflammatory and non-inflammatory status in diseased dogs by measuring salivary C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. In addition, we assessed whether a correlation exists between CRP levels in saliva and those in serum. CRP levels were measured in 32 client-owned dogs, which were then divided into inflammation and non-inflammation groups based on the serum CRP level. The salivary CRP level was higher in the inflammation group than in the non-inflammation group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between the salivary and serum CRP levels (R = 0.866, p < 0.001). These data suggest that canine salivary CRP measurements can effectively and non-invasively detect an inflammatory state in dogs.
Highlights
In dogs, C-reactive protein (CRP) is a major acute phase protein produced by non-specific tissue injury [1]
The objectives of this study were to examine the differences in the salivary CRP levels between diseased dogs classified into inflammation or non-inflammation groups, without the use of chemical stimulants
Dogs were classified into inflammation or non-inflammation groups according to the laboratory results: dogs with serum CRP values higher than the reference range of 0–2 mg/dL were included in the inflammation group, whereas dogs with lower serum CRP values were included in the non-inflammation group
Summary
C-reactive protein (CRP) is a major acute phase protein produced by non-specific tissue injury [1]. Its resting serum concentration is low; it could increase rapidly after exposure to inflammatory stimuli, decrease after the resolution of inflammation [2]. Due to these characteristics, CRP comprises a sensitive and specific biomarker of systemic inflammation that is useful for the diagnosis and monitoring of various inflammatory diseases [3,4]. Saliva collection is non-invasive, low-stress, and pain-free; it is an attractive alternative method for the evaluation of individual immune activity via CRP levels [5]. Saliva samples have been successfully used for the detection of several biomarkers, such as cortisol and alpha-amylase [7,8]. Saliva samples have been used in several studies of cortisol, catecholamine, and phenobarbital in veterinary
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