Serum creatine kinase activities in dogs with dirofilariasis.

Total serum creatine kinase (CK) and its isozyme activities were determined in dogs with dirofilariasis. Before heartworm removal, total CK and isozyme activities in dogs of the mild group were not different from those in dogs of the heartworm-free group. BB activity was higher in dogs of the hemoptysis group. Dogs of the ascites group displayed a mild increase in MM activity. In dogs of the caval syndrome (CS) group, total CK and MM activities were highest among the heartworm-free and heartworm-infected dogs, and MM isozyme accounted for most (75%) of total CK activity. MB and BB activities were also higher. However, there were no significant differences in CK activities between the surviving and non-surviving cases. In dogs with pulmonary heartworm disease (mild and ascites groups), MM activity correlated significantly with the number of heartworms (r = 0.45), hematocrit value (Ht, r = -0.40), serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT, r = 0.42) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH, r = 0.46) activities, mean pulmonary arterial pressure (r = 0.64) and total pulmonary resistance (r = 0.50). In dogs with CS, MM activity did not correlate with any parameter, but BB activity correlated with the number of heartworms at the right atrium (r = 0.61), Ht (r = -0.53), ALT (r = 0.80), LDH (r = 0.73) and serum urea nitrogen (r = 0.47). At 1 week after heartworm removal, BB and MM activity decreased in dogs of the hemoptysis and ascites groups, respectively. In dogs of the CS group, total CK and MM isozyme activities decreased markedly (P less than 0.01) regardless of their prognosis.     

Serum creatine kinase activity in dogs and cats with metabolic diseases

Elevated Creatine kinase-activitiy (CK) indicates disturbances of the muscle cell integrity. In addition to primary muscle disease, like trauma, inflammation or dystrophy, diseases of other organs can lead to secondary muscle involvement, which will be indicated by increased serum activities of the CK. The mechanisms of muscle cell disturbance are still unknown. An elevated protein catabolism in the muscle cell is suspected. In the present study we investigated, if dogs and cats with metabolic diseases have increased CK-activity in the serum. From 34 dogs and cats in a group with different metabolic diseases without metabolic acidosis 19% of the dogs and 50% of the cats had increased CK-activity in the serum. From 33 dogs and cats with different metabolic diseases connected with metabolic acidosis 86% of the dogs and 95% of the cats had simultaneously increased CK-activity in the serum. In comparison to healthy dogs and cats animals with metabolic diseases have significant and in cases of metabolic di-seases with metabolic acidosis cats have high significant elevation (dogs significant) of CK-activity in the serum. There was no significant correlation between the groups of patients. In conclusion we think that our results show that metabolic diseases often induce secondary myopathy, measured by CK-activity in the serum, but metabolic acidosis has no direct influence on elevated CK activity in dogs and cats.     

Flow cytometric detection of alpha-1-acid glycoprotein on feline circulating leucocytes

To assess whether alpha‐1‐acid glycoprotein (AGP) can be detected on the membrane of feline circulating leucocytes. Design The presence of AGP on circulating leucocytes was investigated in both clinically healthy cats and cats with different diseases. A group of feline coronavirus (FCoV)‐positive cats, comprising cats with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) and cats not affected by FIP but seropositive for FCoV, were included in this study because the serum concentration of AGP increases during FCoV infection. Procedure Flow cytometry (using an anti‐feline AGP antibody), serum protein electrophoresis, routine haematology and measurement of the serum AGP concentration were performed using blood samples from 32 healthy cats (19 FCoV‐seropositive), 13 cats with FIP and 12 with other diseases (6 FCoV‐seropositive). The proportion of cats with AGP‐positive leucocytes in the different groups (e.g. controls vs sick; FIP vs other diseases, etc.) or in cats with different intensities of inflammatory response was compared using a Chi‐square test. Results AGP‐positive leucocytes were found in 23% of cats. Compared with controls, the proportion of patients with positive granulocytes and monocytes was higher among sick cats (especially cats with diseases other than FIP) and cats with high serum AGP concentration, but not in cats with leucocytosis or that were FCoV‐seropositive. Conclusion AGP‐positive leucocytes can be found in feline blood, especially during inflammation. Conversely, no association between AGP‐positive leucocytes and FIP was found. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanism responsible for this finding and its diagnostic role in cats with inflammation.     

Diagnostic Features of Clinical Neurologic Feline Infectious Peritonitis

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a fatal Arthus-type immune response of cats to infection with FIP virus, a mutant of the ubiquitous feline enteric coronavirus (FECV). The disease may occur systemically or in any single organ system, and primary neurologic disease is a common subset of such manifestations. We examined 16 domestic cats with clinical neurologic FIP and 8 control cats with nonneurologic FIP, with the intention of identifying the ante-and postmortem diagnostic tests that most contribute to accurate diagnosis. Of the 16 cats with neurologic FIP, 15 were less than 2 years of age and all 16 originated from large multiplecat households. The most useful antemortem indicators of disease were positive anti-coronavirus IgG titer in cerebrospinal fluid, high serum total protein concentration, and findings on magnetic resonance imaging suggesting periventricular contrast enhancement, ventricular dilatation, and hydrocephalus. Postmortem diagnosis was facilitated by FIP monoclonal antibody staining of affected tissue and coronavirus-specific polymerase chain reaction. Most cats with neurologic and ocular forms of FIP had patchy, focal lesions, suggesting that recently developed technologies described in this report may be useful for evaluation of cats with suspected FIP.     

Lactate dehydrogenase and its isoenzymes in the tissues and sera of clinically normal dogs

The total activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and the percentage distribution of its isoenzymes in the tissues and sera of clinically normal adult dogs are presented. Total LDH activity was greatest in skeletal muscle followed by heart muscle, kidney, small intestinal mucosa, liver, lung, pancreas and bone. Each tissue had a unique isoenzyme pattern and the proportions of the isoenzymes in serum suggested that liver is the source of normal serum LDH. The tissue isoenzyme patterns were similar to those obtained by other authors in human beings, horses, cattle, sheep and cats although in liver, differences between ruminants and monogastric animals including dogs were evident. The data presented provide a basis for the interpretation of serum LDH isoenzyme patterns in canine disease.     

Reference intervals for the activity of lactate dehydrogenase and its isoenzymes in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid of healthy canines

Background

Lactate dehydrogenase (LD) exists as 5 isoenzymes (LD‐1 through LD‐5) that are expressed throughout the body and can be detected in both serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). LD and its isoenzymes have been relatively unstudied in veterinary medicine, although studies in human medicine have demonstrated that changes in total LD activity and atypical isoenzyme patterns can indicate disease processes, including neurologic abnormalities.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to establish RIs for LD and its isoenzymes in the serum and CSF of clinically healthy dogs. By establishing a definitive RI for this enzyme in healthy canines, further study of the clinical and diagnostic usefulness of LD can be undertaken.

Methods

Serum and atlantoaxial CSF were collected from clinically healthy dogs. Total LD activity was measured spectrophotometrically immediately after collection. Isoenzyme distributions were also determined within 8 hours of collection using the QuickGel LD Isoenzyme technique and a densitometric scanner.

Results

The median serum total LD in healthy canines was 69.0 U/L (n = 41; range: 21.0‐217.0 U/L), while the median CSF total LD was 10.0 U/L (n = 40; range: 6.0‐19.3 U/L). LD‐5 is the predominant isoenzyme in canine serum (n = 40), contributing over half of the total enzyme activity. Conversely, in canine CSF (n = 42), LD‐1 is the predominant isoenzyme, followed by LD‐2 and LD‐3.

Conclusions

Knowledge of the distribution and concentration of LD in the serum and CSF of healthy dogs will set the foundation for future studies of canine LD as a potentially clinically useful biomarker.     

Use of anti-coronavirus antibody testing of cerebrospinal fluid for diagnosis of feline infectious peritonitis involving the central nervous system in cats

OBJECTIVE: To assess the use of measuring anti-coronavirus IgG in CSF for the diagnosis of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) involving the CNS in cats. DESIGN: Prospective study. SAMPLE POPULATION: CSF and serum samples from 67 cats. PROCEDURES: CSF and serum samples were allocated into 4 groups: cats with FIP involving the CNS (n = 10), cats with FIP not involving the CNS (13), cats with CNS disorders caused by diseases other than FIP (29), and cats with diseases other than FIP and not involving the CNS (15). Cerebrospinal fluid was evaluated for concentrations of erythrocytes, leukocytes, and total protein. Anti-coronavirus IgG was measured in CSF and serum by indirect immunofluorescence assay. RESULTS: CSF IgG (range of titers, 1:32 to 1:4,096) was detected in 12 cats, including 6 cats with neurologic manifestation of FIP, 4 cats with FIP not involving the CNS, and 2 cats with brain tumors. Cerebrospinal fluid IgG was detected only in cats with correspondingly high serum IgG titers (range, 1:4,096 to 1:16,384) and was positively correlated with serum IgG titers (r = 0.652; P < 0.01), but not with any other CSF parameter. Blood contamination of CSF resulted in < or = 333 erythrocytes/microL in cats with CSF IgG. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The correlation between serum and CSF IgG and the fact that CSF IgG was detected only in strongly seropositive cats suggested that CSF anti-coronavirus IgG was derived from blood. Measurement of anti-coronavirus IgG in CSF was of equivocal clinical use.     

Lactate dehydrogenase and creatine phosphokinase isoenzymes in tissues of laboratory animals

The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) isoenzyme distributions in tissues of the ICR mouse, Wistar rat, guinea pig and golden hamster were analyzed by histoelectrophoresis. Tissues obtained were as follows: liver, pancreas, stomach, small intestine, heart, femoral muscle, uterus, kidney, spleen, lymph node, cerebrum, spinal cord and erythrocyte. Histoelectrophoresis was for the direct analysis of LDH and CPK isoenzymes in the tissues and had high practical value compared with previous tissue-extraction methods. In tissues of the mouse, guinea pig and golden hamster, LDH isoenzymes showed five bands. In the rat, LDH isoenzyme was separated into four fractions. CPK isoenzyme showed three bands; BB, MB and MM. In some tissues, the MM band was separated into two sub fractions.     

Activities of NADPH-dependent reductases and sorbitol dehydrogenase in canine and feline lenses

OBJECTIVE: To measure activities of NADPH-dependent reductases and sorbitol dehydrogenase in lenses from healthy dogs and cats. SAMPLE POPULATION: Lenses from 37 dogs and 23 cats. All animals were healthy and had serum glucose concentrations within reference limits. PROCEDURE: Lenses were homogenized, and activities of NADPH-dependent reductases and sorbitol dehydrogenase were measured spectrophotometrically. RESULTS: Activities of NADPH-dependent reductases and sorbitol dehydrogenase were significantly lower in lenses from cats than in lenses from dogs. However, the ratio of NADPH-dependent reductases activity-to-sorbitol dehydrogenase activity was significantly higher in lenses from cats than in lenses from dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicate that during periods of hyperglycemia, sorbitol would accumulate at a faster rate in the lenses of cats than in the lenses of dogs. Thus, the higher incidence of diabetic cataracts in dogs, compared with cats, is likely not attributable to a difference in the ratio of NADPH-dependent reductases activity-to-sorbitol dehydrogenase activity.     

Ontogenetic Development of Creatine Phosphokinase in Skeletal Muscles and Heart from Pigs

Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK) in striated muscles shows only small changes in activity before birth. After birth and during the first month of extrauterine life the activity increases rapidly. The largest increase is seen in muscles with a glycolytic energy metabolism (m. long, dorsi) and the smallest in muscles with an oxydative energy metabolism (m. flexor dig. ped. sup.). The differences between these groups of muscles are statistically significant. In heart tissue the increase in CPK activity is lower, the levels amounting to 40 to 47 % of those in striated muscles.Early in fetal life only the BB isoenzyme is found in striated muscles. Synthesis of M subunits of GPK starts between day 76 and 65 before birth and increases rapidly after this time leading to disappearance of the BB isoenzyme 24 days prior to birth and of the MB isoenzyme at birth. In muscles with an oxydative as well as in muscles with a glycolytic metabolism all GPK activity after birth is caused by the MM isoenzyme.All three isoenzymes are present in heart tissue at the earliest prenatal stage investigated, the pattern being dominated by the BB isoenzyme. During further differentiation the MM isoenzyme increases and the BB isoenzyme decreases. The development is completed during the first month after birth with a final isoenzyme composition of 81 % MM and 19 % MB isoenzyme. kw|Keywords|k]pigs; k]ontogenesis; k]creatine phosphokinase; k]activity; k]isoenzymes     

A review of coronavirus infection in the central nervous system of cats and mice

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a common cause of death in cats. Management of this disease has been hampered by difficulties identifying the infection and determining the immunological status of affected cats and by high variability in the clinical, pathological, and immunological characteristics of affected cats. Neurological FIP, which is much more homogeneous than systemic effusive or noneffusive FIP, appears to be a good model for establishing the basic features of FIP immunopathogenesis. Very little information is available about the immunopathogenesis of neurologic FIP, and it is reasonable to use research from the well-characterized mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) immune-mediated encephalitis system, as a template for FIP investigation, and to contrast findings from the MHV model with those of FIP. It is expected that the immunopathogenic mechanisms will have important similarities. Such comparative research may lead to better understanding of FIP immunopathogenesis and rational prospects for management of this frustrating disease.     

Evaluation of antibodies against feline coronavirus 7b protein for diagnosis of feline infectious peritonitis in cats

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether expression of feline coronavirus (FCoV) 7b protein, as indicated by the presence of specific serum antibodies, consistently correlated with occurrence of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) in cats. SAMPLE POPULATION: 95 serum samples submitted for various diagnostic assays and 20 samples from specific-pathogen-free cats tested as negative control samples. PROCEDURES: The 7b gene from a virulent strain of FCoV was cloned into a protein expression vector. The resultant recombinant protein was produced and used in antibody detection assays via western blot analysis of serum samples. Results were compared with those of an immunofluorescence assay (IFA) for FCoV-specific antibody and correlated with health status. RESULTS: Healthy IFA-seronegative cats were seronegative for antibodies against the 7b protein. Some healthy cats with detectable FCoV-specific antibodies as determined via IFA were seronegative for antibodies against the 7b protein. Serum from cats with FIP had antibodies against the 7b protein, including cats with negative results via conventional IFA. However, some healthy cats, as well as cats with conditions other than FIP that were seropositive to FCoV via IFA, were also seropositive for the 7b protein. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Expression of the 7b protein, as indicated by detection of antibodies against the protein, was found in most FCoV-infected cats. Seropositivity for this protein was not specific for the FCoV virulent biotype or a diagnosis of FIP.     

Chemotactic responses of neutrophils in cats with spontaneous feline infectious peritonitis

The culture supernatant of peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) from cats with effusive feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) was chemotactic for peripheral blood neutrophils (PBN) from healthy cats, magnitude of the chemotactic activity being approximately 10-fold lower than that in zymosan-activated fresh serum of healthy cats (ZAS). The migration profile of PBN from healthy cats was slightly different between the PEC culture supernatant and ZAS. These findings suggest that the chemotactic activity detected in the PEC culture supernatant is distinct from that in ZAS. The chemotactic responses of PBN from FIP cats to ZAS were reduced, as compared with that from healthy controls. In contrast, the neutrophil chemotactic response and sensitivity to the PEC culture supernatant in FIP cats were not remarkably different from those in healthy controls. Furthermore, the chemotactic responsiveness of PEC from FIP cats to ZAS was slightly different from that of PEC to the PEC culture supernatant. These results suggest that neutrophils from FIP cats have altered reactivities against these chemoattractants.     

Isolation and measurement of carbonic anhydrase isoenzyme III in plasma, sera, and tissues of dogs

OBJECTIVE: To purify canine carbonic anhydrase isoenzyme III (CA-III) and determine plasma, serum, and tissue concentrations of CA-III in healthy dogs and dogs with experimentally induced muscle damage. ANIMALS: 121 healthy Beagles. PROCEDURE: Muscle was obtained from 2 Beagles after euthanasia, and CA-III was purified and characterized by use of column chromatography and electrophoresis, respectively. A CA-III-specific ELISA was developed to determine concentrations of CA-III in plasma of 116 dogs and tissues of 1 dog. Serum creatine kinase (CK) activity and CA-III concentration were also determined before and after induction of muscle damage by IM injection of 2 ml of 10% lidocaine to 2 dogs. RESULTS: Canine CA-III had a molecular weight of 28 kd and an isoelectric point of 8.2. Mean (+/- SD) concentration of CA-III in plasma of healthy dogs was 16.91 +/- 9.55 ng/ml. The highest tissue concentration of CA-III was detected in skeletal muscle. Serum concentration of CA-III increased and peaked within the first 2 to 3 hours after induction of muscle damage. The increase in CA-III concentration was more rapid than that of CK activity, and concentration reached its maximum and returned to baseline sooner than did CK activity. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The CA-III ELISA we developed was a sensitive method for determining CA-III concentrations in plasma, serum samples, and tissue specimens of dogs. Use of this ELISA requires only a small volume of serum and may enable the study of changes in CA isoenzyme concentrations associated with muscle disorders in dogs.     

Effects of medetomidine-midazolam,acepromazine-butorphanol,and midazolam-butorphanol on induction dose of thiopental and propofol and on cardiopulmonary changes in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate dose-sparing effects of medetomidine-midazolam (MM), acepromazine-butorphanol (AB), and midazolam-butorphanol (MB) on the induction dose of thiopental and propofol and to examine cardiopulmonary changes in dogs. ANIMALS: 23 healthy Beagles. PROCEDURE: Dogs were administered MM, AB, MB, or physiologic saline (0.9% NaCI) solution (PS) IM, and anesthesia was induced with thiopental or propofol. Cardiopulmonary measurements were obtained before and after administration of medication and 0, 5, 10, and 15 minutes after endotracheal intubation. RESULTS: Induction doses were reduced significantly by preanesthetic administration of MM, AB, and MB (thiopental, 20, 45, and 46% after administration of PS; propofol, 42, 58, and 74% after administration of PS, respectively). Recovery time in dogs administered MM-thiopental or MM-propofol and AB-propofol were significantly prolonged, compared with recovery time in dogs administered PS-thiopental or PS-propofol. Relatively large cardiovascular changes were induced by administration of MM, which were sustained even after the induction of anesthesia. Administration of AB and MB induced cardiovascular changes during and immediately after endotracheal intubation that were significantly decreased by induction with thiopental or propofol. However, mild hypotension developed with AB-propofol. Apnea was observed in dogs administered MM during induction of anesthesia, but most respiratory variables did not change significantly. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Preanesthetic medication with MM greatly reduced the anesthesia induction dose of thiopental and propofol but caused noticeable cardiopulmonary changes. Preanesthetic medication with AB and MB moderately reduced the induction dose of thiopental and propofol and amelio rated cardiovascular changes induced by these anesthetics, although AB caused mild hypotension.     

几种肌酸激酶的检测方法

肌酸激酶（creatine kinase,CK）是动物细胞代谢过程中非常重要的一种激酶,有4种同工酶。根据亚基和分布位置的不同,CK同工酶可分为：肌肉型（MM）、杂化型（MB）、脑型（BB）以及线粒体型（MiMi）。人和动物发生疾病时,机体内的CK通常会有显著提高并能被检测到,因此经常被应用于人和动物疾病的早期诊断。对几种常用的CK检测方法的原理进行了概述,并对不同检测方法进行了比较．以期为今后CK检测方法的改良和创新提供一定的理论基础。     

Interferon-gamma in the serum and effusions of cats with feline coronavirus infection

The aim of this study was to quantify and compare interferon-γ (IFN-γ) concentrations in the serum of clinically normal cats infected with feline coronavirus (FCoV) with its concentration in the sera and effusions of cats with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), a disease associated with infection with a mutated form of FCoV.Clinically normal FCoV-infected cats living in catteries with a high prevalence of FIP had the highest serum IFN-γ concentrations. The serum concentration of IFN-γ was not significantly different in cats with FIP compared with clinically normal FCoV-infected animals living in catteries with a low prevalence of the disease. Moreover, the concentration of IFN-γ was significantly higher in the effusions than in the serum of cats with FIP, probably due to IFN-γ production within lesions. These findings support the hypothesis that there is a strong, ‘systemic’ cell mediated immune response in clinically normal, FCoV-infected cats and that a similar process, albeit at a tissue level, is involved in the pathogenesis of FIP.     

Changes in some acute phase protein and immunoglobulin concentrations in cats affected by feline infectious peritonitis or exposed to feline coronavirus infection

The possible role of some acute phase proteins (APPs) and immunoglobulins in both the pathogenesis and diagnosis of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) has been investigated. Serum protein electrophoresis and the concentration of haptoglobin (Hp), serum amyloid A (SAA), alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein (AGP), IgG and IgM were evaluated in cats exposed to feline coronavirus (FCoV) and in cats with FIP. The highest concentration of APPs was detected in affected cats, confirming the role of these proteins in supporting a clinical diagnosis of FIP. Repeated samplings from both FIP affected and FCoV-exposed cats showed that when FIP appeared in the group, all the cats had increased APP levels. This increase persisted only in cats that developed FIP (in spite of a decrease in alpha(2)-globulins) but it was only transient in FCoV-exposed cats, in which a long lasting increase in alpha(2)-globulins was observed. These results suggest that changes in the electrophoretic motility of APPs or APPs other than Hp, SAA and AGP might be involved in the pathogenesis of FIP or in protecting cats from the disease.