Pancreatic alpha amylase (P-AMY) is used as a biomarker of acute pancreatitis (AP) in human medicine. To our knowledge, there are no studies evaluating the usefulness of P-AMY in dogs with AP. In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic value of P-AMY, currently not verified in veterinary medicine. The AP group (n = 40) consisted of dogs with AP diagnosed using clinical signs and laboratory examinations, including abnormal canine pancreatic lipase (cPL) concentration, and compatible abdominal ultrasound examination at first presentation. Evaluation of the canine AP severity (CAPS) score was performed. The control group (n = 38) was composed of normal dogs without any abnormalities in clinical findings, blood exams or diagnostic imaging. The correlation of P-AMY with cPL was confirmed by Pearson's correlation analysis (r = 0.564, p < .001). The sensitivity and specificity for the most appropriate cut-off values of P-AMY were recorded similar to the values of DGGR. The dogs with AP and CAPS ≥11 had significantly higher serum P-AMY (p = .016) contrary to DGGR lipase and cPL. Furthermore, there was a significant difference in the median P-AMY dependent on the presence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (p = .001). P-AMY showed similar level of diagnostic accuracy along with sensitivity and specificity compared to DGGR lipase. In addition, P-AMY showed a significant association with CAPS score, contrary to cPL and DGGR lipase. Along with other biomarkers associated with AP, P-AMY has the potential of usefulness as a supportive diagnostic and prognostic biomarker of AP in dogs.

Song DW, et al. J Vet Sci. 2021 Aug;22:e75. https://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2021.22.e75

Inflammatory diseases are common in companion dogs. Although white blood cell (WBC) count and C-reactive protein (CRP) are routinely used to assess systemic inflammation, their individual prognostic value remains limited. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), reflecting red blood cell aggregation driven by plasma proteins, has long been applied in human medicine as both an inflammatory and prognostic marker. This study evaluated the prognostic utility of ESR in dogs, including clinically healthy and diseased populations. Associations between ESR, other inflammatory markers, and age were examined, and its role as an independent predictor of mortality and optimal clinical cut-off were determined. A subgroup of dogs meeting the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria were also analyzed to assess the latter’s usefulness in acute settings. A total of 350 dogs were enrolled: 241 diseased and 109 healthy. ESR was measured using an automated analyzer. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, expressed as the area under the curve (AUC), evaluated diagnostic accuracy, followed by Kaplan–Meier survival and Cox proportional hazard analyses. ESR values were significantly higher in the disease group than in the healthy group (p < 0.0001). ESR showed fair to good prognostic accuracy for mortality in both the overall cohort (AUC = 0.776 [95% CI: 0.709–0.842]) and the SIRS subgroup (AUC = 0.846 [95% CI: 0.747–0.946]). An ESR cut-off of 18 mm/h was associated with mortality in SIRS dogs with 87.5% specificity. In the multivariate analysis, ESR showed an independent association with mortality (hazard ratio 1.013 [95% CI: 1.004–1.022], p = 0.004). These findings support ESR as a practical and independent prognostic marker for risk stratification in dogs with systemic inflammation.

Background: Hypomagnesemia is associated with a poor prognosis in humans with congestive heart failure (CHF), but studies in veterinary medicine are limited. Hypothesis: Serum ionized magnesium concentration [iMg2+] would decrease as CHF progresses compared with the initial diagnostic levels and that lower [iMg2+] would be negatively associated with prognosis in dogs with CHF. Animals: A total of 181 client-owned dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) were included. They were classified into the preclinical stage (NO-CHF, n = 108), stage C (n = 42), and stage D (n = 31) based on the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine MMVD classification. Methods: This is a retrospective study from 2 referral centers. The [iMg2+] was compared among the NO-CHF, stage C, and stage D groups. Kaplan-Meier curves and the log-rank test were used to compare the incidence of death between groups. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to estimate the association of hypomagnesemia with the death. Results: In the stage D group, the [iMg2+] was lower than that in the NO-CHF (P < .0001) and stage C groups (P < .003). In the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, the 1-year cumulative survival rate in hypomagnesemic dogs was 53% compared with 91.5% in normomagnesemic dogs (log-rank test, P < .0001). In the multivariable Cox analysis, lower concentration of [K+] and [iMg2+], along with higher Evel, were associated with negative prognoses. Specifically, hypomagnesemia was associated with an approximately 4-fold increased risk of death (hazard ratio = 4.015; 95% confidence interval, 1.537-10.488; P = .005). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Assessing the [iMg2+] might serve as a potential marker for estimating the severity and prognosis indirectly in dogs with MMVD. Combining [iMg2+] measurement with other diagnostic methods, such as echocardiography, could improve the prognostic evaluation of MMVD in dogs.

Hyun-Min Kang, Heyong-Seok Kim, Min-Hee Kang, Jong-Won Kim, Dong-Jae Kang, Woong-Bin Ro, Doo-Won Song, Ga-Won Lee, Hee-Myung Park, Hwi-Yool Kim. J Vet Clin 2023;40:399-407. https://doi.org/10.17555/jvc.2023.40.6.399

Bartonella species are known as candidates for zoonotic transmission, and cats serve as the main reservoir for Bartonella henselae , the primary causative agent of cat scratch disease (CSD). However, research on the transmission of bartonellosis to humans remains very limited. In East Asia, there is a lack of comprehensive studies regarding the prevalence of B. henselae infection and its associated risk factors among companion cats, their owners, and individuals working in veterinary professions. This study aimed to investigate both the molecular and seroprevalence of B. henselae in veterinary personnel and companion cats in South Korea, along with a questionnaire‐based analysis of transmission risk factors. Blood and saliva samples were collected from humans, whereas blood, saliva, claw, and fecal samples were obtained from cats. Seroprevalence and molecular prevalence were measured for all these samples. Additionally, participants were required to complete an epidemiological information questionnaire related to CSD. The study enrolled 300 veterinary professionals and 126 companion cats owned by them. The serum IgG prevalence in humans was 64.6% (190/294), whereas, in cats, it was 5.5% (6/108). The molecular prevalence in human blood and saliva was 3% (9/298) and 1.7% (5/298), respectively. In cats, it was 10.1% (12/119) for blood, 0% (0/123) for saliva, 1.7% (2/119) for nails, and 4.5% (5/112) for feces. Phylogenetic analysis of the PCR‐positive samples confirmed that all of them were B. henselae . This study demonstrates that Bartonella species are widespread among veterinary professionals in South Korea, highlighting their significance as zoonotic pathogens. Given the potential for indirect transmission from cats, enhancing awareness of Bartonella exposure risk among veterinary personnel is warranted, along with emphasizing preventive education for cat owners, including strict ectoparasite control.