Specificity and sensitivity of serum canine pancreatic elastase-1 concentration in the diagnosis of pancreatitis

Abstract

Abstract. The aim of the current study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of serum canine pancreatic elastase-1 (cPE-1) for the diagnosis of pancreatitis in dogs. The study was prospective, assessing dogs presenting with clinical signs similar to pancreatitis. Sixty-one dogs were recruited (49 with pancreatic disease and 12 with non-pancreatic disease). There was no significant difference in serum cPE-1 between dogs with pancreatic disease and non-pancreatic disease. However, there was a significant difference in serum cPE-1 between severe acute pancreatitis and non-pancreatic disease. A cut-off value for serum cPE-1 > 17.24 ng/ml resulted in sensitivity of 61.4% and specificity of 91.7% for diagnosis of all types of pancreatic disease. The sensitivity rose to 65.85% and 78.26% for the diagnosis of all types of acute pancreatitis and severe acute pancreatitis, respectively. Serum cPE-1 is more sensitive at diagnosing severe acute pancreatitis than chronic or mild acute pancreatitis, and has a high positive likelihood ratio. Dogs with chronic pancreatitis tended to have lower serum cPE-1 concentration, suggesting decreased exocrine function.

Diagnostic accuracy of the SNAP and Spec canine pancreatic lipase tests for pancreatitis in dogs presenting with clinical signs of acute abdominal disease

“…Additionally, the specificity of ultrasound for the diagnosis of AP due to the presence of hyperechogencity associated with peri-pancreatic fat necrosis is well accepted. 24 Therefore, the authors feel that the number of false positives in dogs diagnosed with primary AP were negligible. A further limitation was the absence of ultrasonographic evaluation of the pancreas in nearly half of the dogs of group 2.…”

Practical Interpretation and Application of Exocrine Pancreatic Testing in Small Animals

“…45 The sensitivity of this test increased to 78.26% when only dogs with severe acute pancreatitis were assessed. Therefore, this assay seems to have a high positive likelihood ratio and low negative likelihood ratio.…”

“…Summary of sensitivity and specificity for various laboratory testing in dogs from various studiesAbbreviations: AP, acute pancreatitis; CP, chronic pancreatitis; cPE-1, serum canine pancreatic-elastase-1; cPL, canine pancreatic lipase (or canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity in earlier studies); NA, not assessed; RI, reference interval.Data from Refs 10,[29][30][31][32][33][34]36,45. …”

Pankreatitis beim Hund

“…Der Nachweis im Serum erfolgt mittels eines ELISA und ist somit speziesspezifisch. In einer Studie mit 61 Hunden erreichte diese Untersuchung eine Sensitivität von 61,4 % und eine Spezifität von 92 % [35].…”