Markers of Coagulation Activation, Endothelial Stimulation, and Inflammation in Dogs with Babesiosis

Abstract

Background: Babesia infections in dogs can result in a wide range of clinical and laboratory presentations, including coagulopathy. Expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and von Willebrand factor (vWF) in dogs with babesiosis is unknown.Objectives: Whether inflammation in babesiosis triggers activation of ICAM-1 and the coagulation system. Animals: Twelve and 10 dogs with naturally occurring babesiosis before and after antiparasitic treatment, respectively, were compared with 10 healthy dogs.Methods: In this prospective study, diagnosis was made by blood smear examination and confirmed by PCR. C-reactive protein (CRP), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1), and von Willebrand factor (vWF) levels were measured by a canine ELISA kit, fibrinogen (FIB) and factor VIII activity levels were measured by coagulometric methods, and blood cell counts (WBC, RBC, PLT) were determined with an automatic analyzer.Results: Compared to healthy dogs, the CRP, sICAM-1, and FIB concentrations were significantly increased before therapy and remained high for 3 days after therapy in dogs with babesiosis. vWF activity was significantly decreased in dogs with babesiosis before treatment. FVIII activity did not differ between dogs with babesiosis and healthy dogs. WBC; RBC and PLT were significantly lower before treatment and normalized by 3 days after treatment.Conclusion and Clinical Importance: A proinflammatory condition in babesiosis appears to influence endothelial dysfunction and hemostatic activity. Although clearly beneficial for the parasite, sequestered blood cells can obstruct blood flow in small vessels, promote an inflammatory state, and could increase the severity of babesiosis.

Canine Babesiosis: Where Do We Stand?

“…Results of the study of Matijatko et al [89] indicated that B. canis induces a marked APR, with C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA) being the markers which showed the highest response and may be useful in monitoring the response to treatment. Excessive proinfl ammatory activity with increased concentrations of CRP was also detected in natural infection with B. canis [91] and experimental one with B. gibsoni [108]. In our proteomic study of serum changes in canine babesiosis, a number of differentially expressed proteins involved in infl ammation mediating the acute phase response, including CRP, were identifi ed in dogs with babesiosis [84].…”

“…Although almost all infected dogs are presented with severe thrombocytopenia, none develop haemorrhage. Thrombocytopenia may result from immune-mediated platelet destruction, platelet sequestration in the spleen, elevated body temperatures or disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) [91]. The severity and rapid recovery of the platelet counts have led to the suggestion that immune-mediated mechanisms are involved.…”

“…In addition to infl uencing haemostatic activity, the proinflammatory state in babesiosis also has an effect on the function of endothelium. Markers of endothelial activation were increased in babesiosis as a refl ection of host infl ammatory response and shift the hemostatic activity towards the procoagulant state [91].…”

“…One possible mechanism involved in leukopenia includes the ability of platelets to interact with leukocytes and induce their so-called ˝secondary capture˝. The subsequent neutrophil-endothelial interaction could contribute to the initial decrease in leukocyte number and also trigger vascular inflammation [90,91].…”

Acute Phase Proteins as Markers of Infectious Diseases in small Animals / Proteini Akutne Faze Kao Markeri Infektivnih Bolesti Malih Životinja

“…Following treatment with imidocarbdipropionate CRP values decreased [38]. Furthermore, CRP was not associated with the outcome in Babesia rossi infection in dogs but none of the survivors had on the day of admission CRP levels lower than than 63.2 mg/L [39].…”