High sensitivity Cardiac Troponin T (hs-cTnT) and I (hs-cTnI) levels in dogs with Dirofilaria immitis

Abstract

Dirofilaria immitis (D. immitis); is a parasitic zoonosis with a prevalence of 53.8%, whose intermediate host is mosquitoes (Anopheles, Aedes, Culex, Taeniorhychus, Mansonia and Armigenes), final hosts are carnivores (dog, cat, fox, etc.) and humans. The causative agent settles in the pulmonary arteries and causes pulmonary hypertension, which can progress to congestive heart failure. Cardiac troponins (cTn), which have recently been used in veterinary cardiology, are considered the gold standard because of their high sensitivity and specificity for myocardial injury. In the study, high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) levels in healthy dogs were determined as 0.092 ± 0.009 and 0.135 ± 0.024 ng/mL, respectively. In dogs with D. immitis, hs-cTnT and hs-cTnI levels in healthy dogs were determined as 0.164 ± 0.035 and 0.234 ± 0.052, respectively. As a result; it was determined that there was an increase in hs-cTnT and hs-cTnI levels in dogs with D. immitis, although it was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Considering that even the slightest change in the levels of troponins is prognostically important, it can be said that D. immitis causes myocardial damage in dogs.