Serum amyloid A in the diagnosis of feline sepsis

Abstract

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and sepsis can be challenging to diagnose in cats. Retrospectively, we investigated the diagnostic and prognostic potential of serum amyloid A (SAA), a major feline acute-phase protein (APP), in a population of critically ill cats with SIRS related to trauma or sepsis. A total of 56 SIRS cats (trauma n = 27; sepsis n = 29) were included and compared with healthy controls ( n = 18). SAA concentration was significantly increased in SIRS cats compared to controls, confirming its potential for the detection of systemic inflammation in this species. Significantly higher values of SAA were detected in cats belonging to the sepsis group; however, according to the results of the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the value of using SAA (>81 mg/L) to discriminate septic cats was only moderate (AUC = 0.76). Additionally, cats with sepsis had significantly higher serum bilirubin concentrations and toxic neutrophil changes compared to the trauma group. Overall, 38 of 56 cats were survivors; 18 of 56 were non-survivors, with 83% of the non-survivors (15 of 18) belonging to the sepsis group. Serum bilirubin concentration, but not SAA, was able to predict outcome. Prospective studies are needed to assess the potential of SAA in the diagnosis of feline sepsis and outcome prediction.

Prognostic value of systemic inflammatory response syndrome and serum concentrations of acute phase proteins, cholesterol, and total thyroxine in cats with panleukopenia

“…35 No association between SAA concentrations at hospital admission and final outcome was identified. 35 Similarly, our study did not identify a prognostic role for serum concentrations of APPs at hospital admission in predicting the outcome in cats with FPV infection. It is possible that longitudinal monitoring, rather than a single APP determination, may better predict outcome as suggested by studies in dogs.…”

“…Despite the wide use of APPs in the clinical feline practice, there is little evidence of their prognostic role in sick cats . Recently, the potential diagnostic utility of SAA concentrations measured at the time of hospital admission was investigated for discrimination between infectious and noninfectious SIRS in critically ill cats . No association between SAA concentrations at hospital admission and final outcome was identified .…”

“…35,36 Recently, the potential diagnostic utility of SAA concentrations measured at the time of hospital admission was investigated for discrimination between infectious and noninfectious SIRS in critically ill cats. 35 No association between SAA concentrations at hospital admission and final outcome was identified. 35 Similarly, our study did not identify a prognostic role for serum concentrations of APPs at hospital admission in predicting the outcome in cats with FPV infection.…”

A Clinical Investigation on Serum Amyloid A Concentration in Client-Owned Healthy and Diseased Cats in a Primary Care Animal Hospital

“…It is known to be increased in immune-mediated diseases, in tumors with inflammation, in infections, specifically those caused by Hemoplasma spp. [9], as well as in urinary tract disorder, post-surgery [4], pancreatitis [10], injury, infection-related disease, feline lower urinary tract disease, tumor, hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus [5,11,12], renal disease [5,7,13,14], mammary tumors [15], lymphoma, mesothelioma [16], feline infectious peritonitis [5,7,17,18], and sepsis [19], and is reported to be useful as a diagnostic aid. These reports include endocrine diseases not generally associated with inflammation, such as hyperthyroidism or diabetes mellitus.…”

Acute phase proteins in cats

“…To obtain a complete information about APR, one major and one moderate positive, as well one negative APP should be done simultaneously (CERÓN et al, 2008). High concentrations of major APP are usually related with infectious diseases, usually a systemic bacterial infection or an immunemediated disease (CERÓN et al, 2008;TROÌA et al, 2017). Even though APP should be analyzed together with white blood cell and neutrophil counts, they are the most sensitive in detecting inflammation and infection earliest in time (CERÓN et al, 2008;ALVES et al, 2010).…”