Utility of the combined use of 3 serologic markers in the diagnosis and monitoring of chronic enteropathies in dogs.

Abstract

BackgroundDogs with chronic enteropathies (CE) displayed elevated IgA seropositivity against specific markers that can be used to develop a novel test.ObjectiveTo assess a multivariate test to aid diagnosis of CE in dogs and to monitor treatment‐related responses.AnimalsOne hundred fifty‐seven dogs with CE/inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), 24 dogs non‐IBD gastrointestinal disorders, and 33 normal dogs.MethodsProspective, multicenter, clinical study that enrolled dogs with gastrointestinal disorders. Serum sample collected at enrollment and up to 3 months follow‐up measuring OmpC (ACA), canine calprotectin (ACNA), and gliadin‐derived peptides (AGA) by ELISA.ResultsSeropositivity was higher in CE/IBD than normal dogs (66% vs 9% for ACA; 55% vs 15% for ACNA; and 75% vs 6% for AGA; P < .001). When comparing CE/IBD with non‐IBD disease, ACA and ACNA displayed discriminating properties (66%, 55% vs 12.5%, 29% respectively) while AGA separated CE from normal cohorts (54% vs 6%). A 3‐marker algorithm at cutoff of ACA > 15, ACNA > 6, AGA > 60 differentiates CE/IBD and normal dogs with 90% sensitivity and 96% specificity; and CE/IBD and non‐IBD dogs with 80% sensitivity and 86% specificity. Titers decreased after treatment (47%‐99% in ACA, 13%‐88% in ACNA, and 30%‐85% in AGA), changes that were concurrent with clinical improvements.Conclusion and Clinical ImportanceAn assay based on combined measurements of ACA, ACNA, and AGA is useful as a noninvasive diagnostic test to distinguish dogs with CE/IBD. The test also has the potential to monitor response to treatment.