Background: Serum bile acids (SBAs) are frequently measured in dogs. However, there is limited data comparing SBAs in different liver diseases diagnosed according to standardized histological criteria.Objectives: To compare resting and postprandial SBAs, and determine their sensitivity and specificity, for various liver diseases in dogs.Animals: Three hundred and forty-one client-owned dogs with suspected liver disease that had a liver biopsy and SBAs measured.Methods: Multicenter retrospective study. Cases were classified according to standardized histological criteria. The sensitivity and specificity of resting and postprandial SBAs for the diagnosis of each liver disease, and all liver diseases combined, were calculated. Results:The median resting SBAs were highest in dogs with cirrhosis (98.8 μmol/L; range, 6-135) and congenital circulatory anomalies (CCa; 79.45 μmol/L; 0.3-705). The highest median postprandial concentrations were found in CCa (126 μmol/L; 0-726) and chronic hepatitis (CH; 54.3 μmol/L; 0-260). Using the cut-off value of 10 μmol/L, the highest sensitivities of resting SBAs were recorded in dogs with CCa (87.5%; 95% confidence interval, 76.8-94.4) and CH (81.1%;). The sensitivities of postprandial SBAs were the highest in cholangitis (100%; 47.8-100.0) and CCa (91.1%; 78.8-97.5). The specificities of resting and postprandial SBAs for all diseases were 49.3% (37.6-61.1) and 29.7% (15.9-47.0), respectively.
The goal of this study was to reduce the patient radiation dose from evacuation proctography. Ninety-eight consecutive adult patients referred for proctography to investigate difficult rectal evacuation were studied using a digital imaging system with either a standard digital program for barium examinations, a reduced dose digital program (both with and without additional copper filtration), or Video fluoroscopy. Dose-area products were recorded for each examination and the groups were compared. All four protocols produced technically acceptable examinations. The low-dose program with copper filtration (median dose 382 cGy cm2) and Video fluoroscopy (median dose 705 cGy cm2) were associated with significantly less dose than other groups (p < 0.0001). Patient dose during evacuation proctography can be reduced significantly without compromising the diagnostic quality of the examination. A digital program with added copper filtration conveyed the lowest dose.
Objectives Serum amyloid A (SAA) concentrations are increased in cats with lymphoma vs healthy cats; however, the association between SAA concentrations and prognosis in cats with lymphoma is unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate if SAA concentrations were different in cats with nasal vs non-nasal lymphoma, if SAA concentrations are prognostic in patients treated with high-dose chemotherapy and if SAA concentrations are correlated with other clinicopathological variables. Methods Cats diagnosed with intermediate- or large-cell lymphoma between 2012 and 2022 with SAA concentration data available were included. Associations between tumour site (nasal vs non-nasal), stage, response to treatment and SAA concentration were evaluated using non-parametric statistics. Associations between SAA concentrations and stage with survival time were evaluated using Cox regression analysis. Patients with nasal tumours and those not receiving high-dose chemotherapy were excluded from the survival analyses. Results Thirty-nine cats were included. Median SAA concentrations were significantly higher in non-nasal compared with nasal lymphoma (42 µg/ml [range <0.3–797] vs <0.3 µg/ml [range <0.3–0.9]; P = 0.026). SAA concentrations did not correlate with tumour stage. Median survival time for patients with non-nasal tumour and undergoing chemotherapy was 49 days (range 2–1726). Responders had a better median survival time than non-responders (273 days [range 43–1728] vs 39 days [range 2–169]; P <0.001), whereas SAA concentrations were not associated with survival time. Lower haematocrit at presentation was associated with a reduced median survival time (P = 0.007). Conclusions and relevance In the population examined, no correlation between serum concentration of SAA and prognosis in patients with lymphoma was identified, while low haematocrit and lack of response to treatment were both found to be associated with survival time. SAA concentrations were elevated in patients with non-nasal lymphoma vs patients with tumours confined to the nasal cavity.
Background Salivary urea concentrations correlate with serum urea concentrations in dogs and humans. Salivary urea concentrations can now be determined semi‐quantitatively using a salivary urea test strip method that has been validated for use in humans. Objectives We aimed to evaluate the repeatability of the salivary urea test strip score, and the correlation between the salivary urea test strip scores and serum urea concentrations in dogs. Methods Intra‐run and inter‐run variabilities were determined (n = 10 in triplicate). Correlations between salivary urea test strip scores and serum urea concentrations in dogs were assessed using the Spearman's correlation coefficient. Receiver operator curve analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the salivary urea test strip score to identify dogs with serum urea concentration >7.4 mmol/L (upper limit of laboratory RI). Results The intra‐run repeatability was good (28/30 concordant results) whereas the inter‐run repeatability was moderate (23/30 concordant results). Salivary and serum urea concentrations showed a moderately positive correlation (rs = .63, n = 33; P < .0001). A salivary urea test strip score ≥4 was 57% sensitive and 96% specific for detecting a serum urea concentration >7.4 mmol/L. Conclusions Uremia can be detected using salivary urea test strips in dogs. Based on our preliminary data, salivary urea test strip scores of 1 or 2 might exclude clinically relevant uremia in most cases; however, it is recommended that the salivary urea test be repeated in dogs with a test strip score of 3. Dogs with a salivary urea test strip score of ≥4 would likely require additional investigations.
This study suggests that cisapride is a more effective prokinetic agent than metoclopramide, but this benefit is offset by a higher incidence of side effects.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.