Divergences between serum C-reactive protein and ferritin concentrations in canine pyometra

Abstract

The main aim of this report was to investigate and compare the response of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and ferritin, two positive acute phase proteins (APPs) which usually show an increase in inflammatory processes, in dogs with pyometra. For this purpose, two different studies were made. In the first one , both proteins were measured together in an APPs profile in 25 dogs with pyometra, 25 dogs with pancreatitis (as an example of a positive inflammatory control group), and in 25 healthy dogs. In the second study, to advance the knowledge of the changes and evolution of serum ferritin and CRP in dogs with pyometra after treatment, the concentrations of both APPs were analyzed in 30 dogs with pyometra at diagnosis and after ovariohysterectomy and in 10 clinically healthy female dogs before and after elective spaying. In both studies, bitches with pyometra showed significant increases in serum CRP, indicating an inflammatory condition, but not in serum ferritin despite being a moderate positive APP. This divergence between the dynamics of these APPs could be a useful tool for the suspicion of cases of canine pyometra.

Biomarkers of Stress and Inflammation in Assessing the Quality of Welfare of Conditioned Vaquejada Horses

“…They are classified as positive APPs (serum amyloid A and fibrinogen) or negative APPs (albumin and transferrin/iron as an acute phase reactant) according to their increase/decrease in response to the inflammatory stimulus. Recently, another classification has been proposed dividing these biomarkers in positive (C-reactive protein), moderate (haptoglobin and ferritin/iron), and negative (albumin and paraoxonase-1) [19]. These APP classification systems may be useful for a better understanding the physiological impact of exercise on health and welfare.…”

“…Ferritin/Iron is a negative acute phase reactant, as its concentration is reduced in the acute phase of inflammation. In horses, the normal concentration for serum iron ranges from 80 to 277 µg/dL, but concentrations below 64 -85 µg/dL are considered indicative of some degree of systemic inflammation [16] [17] [18] [19]. Another biomarker that can also be used is gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT).…”