Serum Acute Phase Research Articles

Acute phase response in cattle infected with Anaplasma marginale

This study was undertaken to evaluate the acute phase responses via the assessment of the concentration of serum sialic acids (total, lipid bound and protein bound), inflammatory mediators (IFN-γ and TNF-α) and acute phase proteins (Hp and SAA) in 20 adult crossbred cattle naturally infected by Anaplasma marginale. The infected animals were divided into 2 subgroups on the basis of parasitemia rate (<20% and >20%). Also, as a control group, 10 clinically healthy cattle from the same farms were sampled. Our data revealed significant decreases in red blood cell count (RBC), hematocrite (PCV) and hemoglobine (Hb) in infected cattle compared to healthy ones. Conversely, the concentrations of Hp, SAA, ceruloplasmin, fibrinogen, serum sialic acids and the circulatory IFN-γ and TNF-α were increased in the diseased cattle (P<0.05). In addition, it was evident that the progression of parasitemia in infected cattle did not induce any significant alterations in the hematological indices (RBCs, PCV and Hb) and the concentrations of Hp, SAA, ceruloplasmin and fibrinogen. SAA was the most sensitive factor to change in the diseased cattle. Therefore, increase in SAA concentration may be a good indicator of inflammatory process in cattle naturally infected with Anaplasma marginale.

Diabetes is a risk factor for pulmonary tuberculosis: a case-control study from Mwanza, Tanzania.

BackgroundDiabetes and TB are associated, and diabetes is increasingly common in low-income countries where tuberculosis (TB) is highly endemic. However, the role of diabetes for TB has not been assessed in populations where HIV is prevalent.MethodsA case-control study was conducted in an urban population in Tanzania among culture-confirmed pulmonary TB patients and non-TB neighbourhood controls. Participants were tested for diabetes according to WHO guidelines and serum concentrations of acute phase reactants were measured. The association between diabetes and TB, and the role of HIV as an effect modifier, were examined using logistic regression. Since blood glucose levels increase during the acute phase response, we adjusted for elevated serum acute phase reactants.ResultsAmong 803 cases and 350 controls the mean (SD) age was 34.8 (11.9) and 33.8 (12.0) years, and the prevalence of diabetes was 16.7% (95% CI: 14.2; 19.4) and 9.4% (6.6; 13.0), respectively. Diabetes was associated with TB (OR 2.2, 95% CI: 1.5; 3.4, p<0.001). However, the association depended on HIV status (interaction, p = 0.01) due to a stronger association among HIV uninfected (OR 4.2, 95% CI: 1.5; 11.6, p = 0.01) compared to HIV infected (OR 0.1, 95% CI: 0.01; 1.8, p = 0.13) after adjusting for age, sex, demographic factors and elevated serum acute phase reactants.ConclusionDiabetes is a risk factor for TB in HIV uninfected, whereas the association in HIV infected patients needs further study. The increasing diabetes prevalence may be a threat to TB control.

STAT3 Activation in Skeletal Muscle Links Muscle Wasting and the Acute Phase Response in Cancer Cachexia

BackgroundCachexia, or weight loss despite adequate nutrition, significantly impairs quality of life and response to therapy in cancer patients. In cancer patients, skeletal muscle wasting, weight loss and mortality are all positively associated with increased serum cytokines, particularly Interleukin-6 (IL-6), and the presence of the acute phase response. Acute phase proteins, including fibrinogen and serum amyloid A (SAA) are synthesized by hepatocytes in response to IL-6 as part of the innate immune response. To gain insight into the relationships among these observations, we studied mice with moderate and severe Colon-26 (C26)-carcinoma cachexia.Methodology/Principal FindingsModerate and severe C26 cachexia was associated with high serum IL-6 and IL-6 family cytokines and highly similar patterns of skeletal muscle gene expression. The top canonical pathways up-regulated in both were the complement/coagulation cascade, proteasome, MAPK signaling, and the IL-6 and STAT3 pathways. Cachexia was associated with increased muscle pY705-STAT3 and increased STAT3 localization in myonuclei. STAT3 target genes, including SOCS3 mRNA and acute phase response proteins, were highly induced in cachectic muscle. IL-6 treatment and STAT3 activation both also induced fibrinogen in cultured C2C12 myotubes. Quantitation of muscle versus liver fibrinogen and SAA protein levels indicates that muscle contributes a large fraction of serum acute phase proteins in cancer.Conclusions/SignificanceThese results suggest that the STAT3 transcriptome is a major mechanism for wasting in cancer. Through IL-6/STAT3 activation, skeletal muscle is induced to synthesize acute phase proteins, thus establishing a molecular link between the observations of high IL-6, increased acute phase response proteins and muscle wasting in cancer. These results suggest a mechanism by which STAT3 might causally influence muscle wasting by altering the profile of genes expressed and translated in muscle such that amino acids liberated by increased proteolysis in cachexia are synthesized into acute phase proteins and exported into the blood.

Effects of different antimicrobial treatments on serum acute phase responses and leucocyte counts in pigs after a primary and a secondary challenge infection with Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae

The susceptibility to an initial challenge and a re-challenge inoculation with Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae was analysed in pigs that were treated with antimicrobials of different efficacies following the first exposure to...

Identification of Systemic Markers from A Pulmonary Carbon Nanotube Exposure

Interest exists for early monitoring of worker exposure to engineered nanomaterials. Here, we highlight quantitative systemic markers of early effects after carbon nanotube (CNT) exposure. Mice were exposed by pharyngeal aspiration to 40-μg CNT and harvested 24 hours, 7 days, and 28 days postexposure for measurements of whole blood, lung and extrapulmonary tissue gene expression, blood and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) differentials, and serum protein profiling. Early effects included increased inflammatory blood gene expression and serum cytokines followed by an acute phase response (eg, CRP, SAA-1, SAP). Beyond 24 hours, there was a consistent increase in blood and BAL eosinophils. At 28 day, serum acute phase proteins with immune function including complement C3, apolipoproteins A-I and A-II, and α₂-macroglobulin were increased. Carbon nanotube exposure resulted in measurable systemic markers but lacked specificity to distinguish from other pulmonary exposures.

Serum Acute Phase Proteins as Clinical Phase Indicators and Outcome Predictors in Naturally Occurring Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis

Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME), caused by Ehrlichia canis, is an important tick-borne disease of global importance. Currently, limited information is available on the diagnostic and prognostic value of acute phase proteins (APPs) in dogs naturally infected with E. canis. APPs may be useful indicators of the clinical phase of CME and predictive of the clinical outcome (death or survival). Fifty-six dogs naturally infected with E. canis and 7 clinically healthy control dogs. C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp), and albumin concentrations determined on admission were retrospectively compared among 27 dogs with nonmyelosuppressive CME, 29 dogs with myelosuppressive CME and 7 healthy dogs. Diagnosis of CME was based on clinical and clinicopathological findings, seropositivity to E. canis, polymerase chain reaction amplification of E. canis-specific 16S rDNA, microscopic observation of Ehrlichia sp. morulae in blood monocytes or some combination of these. Mean concentrations of CRP, SAA, and Hp were significantly higher in the myelosuppressed dogs compared with the other groups, but no significant differences were found in the concentration of albumin. Survival analysis of the affected animals indicated that APP concentrations were not associated with clinical outcome; the latter was strongly associated with pancytopenia (odds ratio for death 22.7) and neutropenia (odds ratio for death 7.7). CRP, SAA, and Hp serum concentrations on admission are useful indicators of the clinical phase of CME, but are not useful predictors of clinical outcome.

N-glycoforms of serum alpha-1-acid glycoprotein in patients with lower limb chronic arterial ischaemia

Alterations of serum acute phase proteins (APP) N-glycosylation are observed in various necrotic and inflammatory processes. In artherosclerotic chronic arterial ischaemia of the lower extremities, such alterations have not been reported. N-glycoforms of representative APP, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R), involved in regulation of APP N-glycosylation, were studied in 42 patients sera. Twelve patients had moderate, and 30 had critical ischaemia. In 35 patients reconstructive surgery, and in 7, amputation, was performed. In 16 patients following surgery complications were observed. AGP N-glycoforms were studied using crossed immuno-affino-electrophoresis with Concanavalin A before surgery, at days 1–3, and 7–12 following operation. Three AGP N-glycoforms were found: AGP-0, AGP-1 and AGP-2. In moderate ischaemia, shift towards AGP-0 was seen. In critical ischaemia, shift towards AGP-2 was observed. IL-6 levels were higher in critical than moderate ischaemia, while sIL-6R levels were similar. At days 1–3, shift of AGP N-glycoforms typical for acute infection was seen. At days 7–12, in uncomplicated cases, AGP N-glycosylation profiles returned to normal, while with complications, they stayed unchanged or continue to shift further. Assessment of AGP serum N-glycoforms may prove to be clinically useful in grading of chronic lower limb ischaemia and monitoring of patients undergoing surgery.

Interaction Between Periodontal Disease and Systemic Secondary Amyloidosis: From Inflammation to Amyloidosis

It has become increasingly clear in recent years that periodontal disease can cause a dramatic increase in the levels of markers of systemic inflammation, and that periodontal treatment can result in reduction in the levels of these markers. We have previously shown that the prevalence of moderate to severe periodontitis was significantly higher in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) with amyloidosis than in patients with FMF without amyloidosis. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate if chronic periodontitis is associated with secondary amyloidosis in the Black Sea region of Turkey. A total of 112 patients with biopsy-proven secondary amyloidosis (59 patients with FMF, 40 patients who were either chronically infected or had malignant disease, 13 patients with periodontitis) and 22 healthy subjects, were included in this study. Periodontal health and disease were evaluated using gingival index (GI), papillary bleeding index (PBI), plaque index (PI), and periodontal disease index (PDI). The concentrations of serum acute phase reactants (APRs) were measured at baseline and at 4 to 6 weeks after completion of the non-surgical periodontal therapy. The prevalence of moderate to severe periodontitis was 47.5% in patients with FMF, 72.5% in patients who were either chronically infected or had malignant disease, and 84.6% in patients with periodontitis. Serum levels of APRs in patients with amyloidosis were reduced significantly after non-surgical periodontal therapy (P <0.01). Periodontitis can increase the levels of APRs and potentiate the development of amyloidosis either by themselves or association with traditional factors, such as FMF and other chronic inflammatory diseases. Thus, preventing or treating periodontitis might prevent or at least alleviate the progression of amyloidosis. Periodontal evaluation should be performed as part of a medical assessment and considered as an etiologic factor for secondary amyloidosis.

Serum Levels of Acute Phase Proteins: SAA, Hp and Progesterone (P4) in Mares with Early Embryonic Death

The study involved 46 healthy purebred Arabian mares exhibiting regular oestrous cycles that underwent artificial insemination (AI). Pregnancy was detected ultrasonographically (US) in 40 mares. In 15 mares in foal, early embryonic death (EED) was observed during the pregnancy days 14-21. Blood for determinations of serum acute phase proteins (SAA and Hp) and progesterone (P4) was sampled 12-24 h before ovulation and the first insemination, at 12, 24, 72, 96 h and on day 7, 10, 14, 21, 35 and 55 after ovulation. The results revealed that in 25 mares without EED, the serum levels of P4, SAA and Hp were within physiological limits; in 15 mares with EED, the levels of SAA and Hp were significantly increased. In seven mares with EED, high levels of SAA and Hp were already found before ovulation and at 12, 24, 72, 96 h as well as on day 7 and 10 post-ovulation, whereas the level of P4 was normal for early pregnancy. In the remaining eight mares with EED, increased levels of SAA and Hp were found at 72 h after ovulation and maintained until day 55. In this group, the level of P4 decreased since 96 h after ovulation. Determinations of SAA, Hp and P4 in mares in early pregnancy (EP) are useful for monitoring normal development of pregnancy and for diagnosis of subclinical genital inflammations, which may lead to EED.

Paraneoplastic polymyositis associated with primary lung cancer: diagnosis with PET-CT

0212-6982/$ see front matter © 2010 Elsevier Espana, S.L. and SEMNIM. All rights reserved. A 63-year-old male was studied for cough, dysphagia, fever, pain and functional impotence of both shoulders. He presented an elevation in serum creatinin phosphokinase (42.150 IU/L, normal range: 25-90) and acute phase reactants. A pulmonary nodule was observed on chest radiography, being confirmed by CT in the upper left pulmonary lobe suggestive of malignancy. Non significant millimetric lymph nodes and a right apical pulmonary lesion were observed probably in relation to chronic changes. PET-CT with 18F-FDG was performed showing two nodules in the anterior segment of the upper left lobe (fig. 1) and the posteriorapical segment of the upper right lobe of 2.1 and 1.4 cm, respectively, both of which were hypermetabolic (SUVmax. 2.7 and 2.8) suggestive of malignancy. Likewise, an important diffuse increase in glycidic metabolism was observed in the muscular system (fig. 2) compatible with polymyositis, considering the absence of a history of diabetes and normal glycemia values (103 mg/dL) prior to the injection of 18F-FDG after 12 h of fasting. The left wall of the esophagus showed focal augmentation of glycidic metabolism (SUVmax. 7.2) of 0.8 cm in diameter (fig. 3) compatible with muscular activity without pathological significance, although evaluation was recommended due to the impossibility of ruling out neoplastic disease at this level in view of the clinical manifestations of dysphagia presented by the patient. Fine needle aspiration puncture and prognostic mediastinoscopy were performed with anatomopathological results of pulmonary adenocarcinoma. On evaluation by the Neurology Department by cervical magnetic resonance, electromyogram and blood analysis, the patient was diagnosed with inflammatory myopathy or probable paraneoplastic origin. Upper digestive endoscopy did not show either intraluminal lesion or extrinsic compressions, with the esophageal lesion being labeled as probable paraneoplastic muscular involvement. Initial corticoid treatment was implemented with clinical and analytical improvement, although functional impotence and dysphagia persisted. Chemotherapy was begun on the patient not being a candidate for surgery due to the contralateral pulmonary metastasis. Polymyositis may be of neoplastic origin in up to 20 % of the cases.1 PET-CT with 18F-FDG has shown to be useful in the study of paraneoplastic syndromes to confirm and localize the primary tumor.2 The typical finding is an augmentation of glycidic metabolism in the muscular masses affected by inflammation of the same and usually has a good correlation with the clinical manifestations, also allowing localization of the primary tumor and its extension.3 The case presented here was a pulmonary carcinoma, one of the malignant tumors most frequently related to paraneoplastic polymyositis. PET demonstrated the typical findings of this disease. We believe that PET-CT may be a first choice technique on suspicion of paraneoplastic inflammatory myopathy. Interesting image

IL-6 has no acute effect on the regulation of urea synthesis in vivo in rats

Background. Clinical or experimentally induced, active inflammation up-regulates the in vivo capacity of urea synthesis (CUNS), which promotes nitrogen removal from the body and metabolic catabolism. We have shown that tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) up-regulates CUNS and increases interleukin 6 expression (IL-6) within hours of administration. The described effect of TNF-α on nitrogen homeostasis may, therefore, depend on IL-6. Methods. Three hours after the i.v. injection of 125 μg.kg−1 of IL-6 or placebo, we evaluated the CUNS, hepatocyte urea cycle enzyme protein levels and the mRNA levels of the urea cycle enzyme genes in rats. The prevailing rat serum acute phase proteins and their liver mRNA levels were also measured. Results. IL-6 did not change CUNS or hepatocyte urea cycle enzyme protein levels, whereas urea cycle enzyme mRNA levels, except for ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC), decreased by approximately 20%. The liver mRNA levels of α2MG, haptoglobin and α1AGP all increased by 1.5- to 2-fold (p < 0.001). In serum, only the α2MG concentration slightly increased (p < 0.001), whereas the levels of the other circulating acute phase proteins remained unchanged. Conclusion. IL-6 is not the mediator of the in vivo CUNS up-regulation observed 3 h after TNF-α administration, but it may be involved in the down-regulation of urea cycle genes. IL-6 may also mediate TNF-α effects on acute phase protein gene expression. Thus, IL-6 did not contribute to the in vivo hepatic component of inflammation-associated catabolism.

Serum acute phase proteins as biomarkers of pleuritis and cranio-ventral pulmonary consolidation in slaughter-aged pigs

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the existence of lung lesions in pigs at slaughter and the concentration of the serum acute phase proteins (APP), haptoglobin (Hp), pig-major acute protein (Pig-MAP) and C-reactive protein (CRP). A total of 24 pig farms were selected out of a larger farm database previously screened to study risk factors associated with pleuritis and cranio-ventral pulmonary consolidation (CVPC) lesions at slaughter-aged pigs in Spain. The farms were classified as “pleuritis negative (P−) or positive (P+)” and as “CVPC negative (M−) or positive (M+)” and divided into four groups according to a 2X2 factorial design (P−M−, P−M+, P+M−, P+M+). Also at slaughter, blood from 20 randomly selected pigs from each farm was collected. Obtained serum samples were used to measure acute phase proteins. All APP concentrations were significantly higher for M+ farms than for M− ones. However, only Hp and Pig-MAP showed significantly higher concentrations for P+ farms than for P− ones. Pig-MAP was the most sensitive biomarker since it was able to clearly discriminate between P−/P+ and M−/M+ groups (p<0.001 in both cases). Hp was an excellent marker for pleuritis and good for CVPC lesions. CRP was able to discriminate for CVPC lesions but not for pleuritis. The present results indicate that Pig-MAP and, possibly Hp, may be used as potential markers to characterise and discriminate respiratory lesions in swine herds at slaughter.

Unchanged capacity of urea synthesis during acute phase response in rats

The acute phase response presents a catabolic event related to increased waste of amino-N via hepatic urea synthesis despite an increased need for amino-N incorporation into acute phase proteins. In our previous studies, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) acutely up-regulated the in vivo capacity of urea-nitrogen synthesis (CUNS) in rats before the hepatic acute phase response was established. To extend these observations, this study aimed to clarify the regulation of N elimination via urea during the later stages of the acute phase response. Twenty-four hours after i.v. injection of 25 μg kg(-1) TNF-α or placebo, we determined the in vivo CUNS, hepatocyte urea cycle enzyme protein levels and mRNA levels of the urea cycle enzyme genes in pair-fed rats. In addition, serum acute phase proteins and their liver mRNA levels were measured. After TNF-α, CUNS and hepatocyte urea cycle enzyme protein expressions were unchanged while urea cycle enzyme mRNA levels decreased. Liver mRNA levels of α2MG, haptoglobin and α1AGP rose and their serum levels increased equally. Despite a fully established 24-h acute phase response, there was no change in the in vivo capacity for disposal of amino-N by urea synthesis or in the urea cycle enzyme proteins, although the expression of the urea cycle enzyme genes was decreased. Thus, in vivo urea synthesis was not orchestrated together with acute phase protein synthesis so as to limit N waste despite genetic regulation to this effect. This may contribute towards catabolism of inflammation.

Acute phase protein response during acute ruminal acidosis in cattle

The aim of the study was to describe the acute phase protein and leukocyte responses in dairy heifers during acute, oligofructose-induced ruminal acidosis. The study included 2 trials involving oral oligofructose overload (17 g/kg BW) to nonpregnant Danish Holstein heifers. Trial 1 included 12 heifers all receiving oligofructose, and the experiment consisted of a 3 day control period prior to overload and 9 days surveillance afterwards. Eight heifers were fed grass hay and 4 were fed barley silage. Trial 2 included 10 heifers receiving oligofructose, 4 were euthanized 24 h after overload and 6 were euthanized 72 h after overload. Six heifers received tap water as control treatment and were euthanized 72 or 96 h later. Sampling of blood was performed at 6–48 hour intervals. Samples were analyzed for serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin, and fibrinogen, and total white blood cell counts (WBC) were performed. Heifers receiving oligofructose developed a profound ruminal and systemic acidosis (in Trial 1 and 2 lowest ruminal pH was 4.3 ± 0.2 and 3.8 ± 0.02, respectively, and minimum SBE was −9.3 ± 4.1 and −8.9 ± 2.8, respectively). In Trial 1, SAA concentrations were higher than baseline concentrations on all time points from 6 to 216 hours after overload, and heifers fed hay had higher SAA levels (max. 290 ± 151 mg/L) than heifers fed silage (max. 225 ± 137 mg/L). In Trial 2, SAA concentrations in heifers receiving oligofructose were higher than control heifers at all time points from 12 to 72 h after overload (max. 325 ± 149 mg/L). In Trial 1, haptoglobin concentrations for hay-fed heifers were higher than baseline concentrations at all time points from 36 to 168 h after overload (max. 3449 ± 1702 mg/L). Heifers fed silage had lower haptoglobin concentrations than heifers fed hay at 60, 72 and 120 h (max. 1802 ± 950 mg/L). In Trial 2, haptoglobin concentrations in heifers receiving oligofructose were higher than control heifers at all time points from 18 to 72 h after overload (max. 4226 ± 924 mg/L). In Trial 1, fibrinogen concentrations did not differ from baseline concentrations at any time points. In Trial 2, fibrinogen concentrations in heifers receiving oligofructose were higher than control heifers at all time points from 36 to 72 h after overload (max. 12.2 ± 3.3 g/L). In Trial 1, WBC did not differ from baseline concentrations at any time points. In Trial 2, WBC in heifers receiving oligofructose were higher than control heifers at 18 and 24 h after overload (max. 13.7 ± 4.3 billions/L). Feeding had no effect on plasma fibrinogen concentrations or WBC in Trial 1. Acute ruminal and systemic acidosis caused by oligofructose overload resulted in distinct acute phase protein and leukocyte responses in dairy heifers. The increased levels of serum acute phase proteins and leukocytes might be a result of ruminitis caused by the ruminal acidosis, of systemic effects of pro-inflammatory molecules translocating across the damaged ruminal epithelium, or a result of the systemic acidosis and accumulation of organic acids. In humans, inflammation has been linked to metabolic diseases. In cattle, studies into the possible links between acid-base changes, inflammation/innate immunity and metabolic disease are warranted as this might improve our understanding of the production disease complexes occurring in particular in the transition period.

Méningite aseptique récidivante due aux anti-inflammatoires non stéroïdiens chez une patiente lupique

We report a 39-year-old woman with systemic lupus who presented with recurrent aseptic meningitis secondary to treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). She presented two episodes following ibuprofen administration that were characterized by aseptic meningitis with high protein level in cerebrospinal fluid, and increased serum acute phase reactants. No evidence of an infection or vasculitis was documented. Clinical manifestation resolved rapidly with ibuprofen discontinuation, and corticosteroids therapy was unnecessary. Aseptic meningitis related to NSAIDs reported in lupus patients should be considered because of their specific modality of care and their favourable outcome.

Serum acute phase proteins concentrations in dogs during experimentally short-term induced overweight. A preliminary study

The purpose of the study was to analyse serum concentrations of four different positive acute phase proteins (APPs): C-reactive protein, haptoglobin, serum amyloid A and ceruloplasmin in a model of experimentally short-term developed obesity in Beagle dogs. All APPs were quantified by commercially available ELISA methods and C-reactive protein was also determined by a highly sensitive time-resolved fluorometric assay. There were no significant differences between APPs concentrations at the beginning and the end of the study in groups of dogs that increased their body condition scores. In addition, dogs with body condition scores of 4 and 5 did not shown significant differences for any of the acute phase proteins studied compared with control dogs of BCS of 3, with exception of a decrease in haptoglobin. It was concluded that overweight induced in the experimental conditions of this study does not produce a significant change in acute phase proteins.

Leucogram and serum acute phase protein concentrations in queens submitted to conventional or videolaparoscopic ovariectomy

Thirty health queens were submitted to ovariectomy by conventional technique or by videolaparoscopy. In order to study the intensity of inflammatory response by means of acute phase protein analysis and white blood cell count, serum samples were taken before and until 144 hours after the surgical procedures. The protein concentrations that were significantly increased 24 hours after surgical procedures were: ceruloplasmin, hemopexin, haptoglobin, and α1-acid glycoprotein, 69.8%, 103.5%, 117.3%, and 199.0%, respectively, for conventional ovariectomy; and 22.3%, 46.1%, 79.8%, and 74.6%, respectively, for laparoscopic ovariectomy. Therefore, inflammatory response was more intense in queens submitted to conventional ovariectomy. Results indicate that the increase or decrease in acute phase proteins, as well as in white blood cells count, may be useful in the evaluation of inflammatory response induced by these surgical procedures.

Measurement of serum acute phase proteins to monitor postoperative recovery in anoestrous bitches after ovariohysterectomy

Six healthy bitches underwent ovariohysterectomy, performed by medial laparotomy according to routine methods. Blood samples were taken by venepuncture just before and 24, 48 and 72 hours and seven days...

LEUCOGRAMA E TEORES DE PROTEÍNAS DE FASE AGUDA EM CAPRINOS SUBMETIDOS À ORQUIECTOMIA E DESCORNA

To determine the effects of orchiectomy and dehorning in leukocyte count and serum acute phase protein concentrations, blood samples were taken from 7 goats just before and 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, and 10 days after procedures. Results revealed a 30% increase in leukocyte counts one day after orchiectomy and dehorning, followed by a gradual decrease. On the tenth day, numbers were close to normal. Mean values for concentration of serum protein fractions ranged between 30 and 33. The proteins acting as acute phase proteins were ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin, α1-acid glycoprotein and α1-antitrypsin, which continuously increased above 403% of its initial levels. The other proteins also had a notoriously high increase, but by the end of the experiment the values were almost equal to basal levels.

Serum Acute Phase Protein Concentrations in Dogs with Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia

Serial monitoring of acute phase protein (APP) concentrations in canine autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) has not been reported. Acute canine AIHA is accompanied by an acute phase response (APR) characterized by increased C-reactive protein (CRP) and alpha1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) concentrations and decreased albumin concentrations. Twenty-seven dogs with AIHA and 11 control dogs. Prospective, cohort study. CRP, AAG, and albumin concentrations, white blood cell (WBC) count, and packed cell volume (PCV) were determined at admission (day 1), every 48 hours until death or discharge, and on days 30, 90, 180, and 365. Compared with controls, CRP and AAG concentrations were increased and albumin concentration was decreased in dogs with AIHA (days 1-7; P < .002) and normalized with disease stabilization (days 9-365; P > .05). APP concentrations on day 1 were not predictive of survival, duration of hospitalization, or number of blood transfusions (P= .153-.940). PCV correlated with APP concentrations over time (CRP r=-.600, AAG r=-.665, albumin r= .533; P < .0001) as did WBC count (CRP r= .253, AAG r= .486, albumin r=-.246; P < .006). Day 1 CRP concentration was lower for dogs that received corticosteroids before referral (115.3 microg/mL) compared with dogs that did not (191.2 microg/mL; P= .02). An APR occurs in canine AIHA. Initial APP concentrations are not predictive of acute survival, correlate with hematologic markers of remission, and normalize rapidly with disease stabilization.