Serum C-Reactive Protein, Procalcitonin and Ceruloplasmin Concentrations in Dogs with Naturally İnfected Ehrlichiosis

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), Procalcitonin (PCT), and ceruloplasmin (Cp), which are potential biochemical markers of the inflammatory process in dogs naturally infected with Ehrlichiosis. A total of 20 dogs, 8 clinically healthy (Healthy group) and 12 mono-infected with Ehrlichia spp. (Ehrlichia group) were included in the study. Dogs in the Ehrlichia group were selected from those showing clinical signs of active infection, and their diseases were diagnosed with commercial test kits. Serum CRP and PCT levels were analysed by commercially available test kits, and Cp concentration was determined by colourimetric methods. The CRP concentration in the Ehrlichia group was significantly higher compared to the healthy group. There was no significant difference between the groups in serum PCT and Cp concentrations. As a result, the increase in serum CRP concentration can be used for detecting inflammatory processes in dogs with Ehrlichiosis. In addition, this study showed that PCT and Cp concentrations are not clinically useful markers for determining inflammatory status in dogs with Ehrlichiosis.