A comprehensive analysis of albuminuria in canine chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND

Albuminuria, an important marker of decreased kidney function in chronic kidney disease (CKD), is not routinely used for CKD detection or proteinuria appearance. Its relationships with biochemical parameters and blood pressure in dogs are poorly understood.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship of albuminuria with various CKD markers, its correlation with the urinary protein to creatinine ratio (UPC), and hypertension in dogs with early stages of CKD. It also sought to determine the usability of the urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (UAC) for CKD screening.

METHODS

The study reviewed records of 102 dogs, categorising them into four groups based on disease status. UAC and UPC ratio, biochemistry and haematology variables, age, and systolic blood pressure were determined.

RESULTS

The Pearson's correlation coefficient between log-transformed values of UPC and UAC was r = 0.902 (95% CI: 0.87 to 0.93). Median UAC ratio values were 2.1 mg/g for the Healthy control group (n = 17), 54.2 mg/g for early stages CKD (n = 42), 5.8 mg/g for Acute sick control (n = 30), and 104 mg/g for Chronic sick control (n = 13). Thresholding UAC ratio as an indicator for impaired kidney function with the threshold of 10 mg/g (established based on the receiver operating characteristic curve) had a sensitivity 81.8%, specificity of 89.4%, positive predictive value (PPV) 90%, and negative predictive value (NPV) 80.1%. The correlation of UAC with biochemistry and haematology variables was statistically significant; for SDMA (μg/L), it was r = 0.566 and for other variables, it was weak to moderate. UAC was markedly elevated in cases of severe hypertension.

CONCLUSIONS

UAC ratio was significantly different among dogs with impaired and not impaired kidney function. The correlation strength for the UAC and UPC ratios was high. UAC ratio may be a promising marker for proteinuria analysis in dogs with CKD or other kidney function alterations.

Diagnostic effectiveness of stress biomarkers in cats with feline interstitial and bacterial cystitis

BACKGROUND

Although bacterial cystitis (BC) and feline interstitial cystitis (FIC) are categorized under feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) due to their similar clinical manifestations, stress is an important factor for FIC. Therefore, the investigation of stress biomarkers might be important in the differentiation and elucidation of these conditions.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic effectiveness of serum and urine cortisol, serotonin, and dopamine concentrations and their relationship with stress in cats with FIC and BC.

METHODS

Twelve healthy cats (Control group) and 24 cats with FLUTD were used. The cats with FLUTD were divided into FIC and BC groups.

RESULTS

Multimodal environmental modification (MEMO) scores were found to be higher in the FIC group than in the BC and Control groups (P < .001). Urine serotonin concentrations were higher in cats with FIC and BC compared with those in the Control group. Based on ROC analyses, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of urine serotonin and dopamine were found to be statistically significant in being able to differentially diagnose cats in the FIC group vs the Control group. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of serum dopamine were also found to be statistically significant for the differential diagnosis of FIC and BC.

CONCLUSIONS

High urine serotonin concentrations were found in cats with FLUTD compared with healthy controls and interpreted as the presence of stress not only in cats with FIC but also in cats with BC. Also, based on the ROC-based diagnostic performance evaluation of these stress biomarkers, urine serotonin, and dopamine concentrations can be used to diagnose FIC, and serum dopamine concentrations can be used to differentiate FIC and BC in cats.

Comparative evaluation of selected serum and urine biomarkers in cats with interstitial and bacterial cystitis

BACKGROUND

Although feline urine is increasingly submitted for bacterial culture and susceptibility testing in veterinary practice, bacterial cystitis (BC) is relatively uncommon compared with feline interstitial cystitis (FIC), which shares similar clinical manifestations. Therefore, an investigation of certain urothelial (glycosaminoglycan [GAG], tissue inhibition metalloproteinase-2 [TIMP-2]), cytokine (interleukin 12 [IL-12]), and neurotrophic factor (nerve growth factor [NGF]) markers may aid diagnosis.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic effectiveness of selected serum/urine biomarkers in the diagnosis of cats with FIC and BC.

METHODS

Twelve healthy cats (Control group) and 24 cats with feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) were used, and the cats with FLUTD were divided into FIC and BC groups.

RESULTS

When comparing the three groups, serum GAG, IL-12, NGF, and TIMP-2 concentrations were highest in the FIC group; urine GAG, IL-12, NGF, and TIMP-2 concentrations were higher in the FIC and BC groups than those in the Control group. Serum NGF concentrations were higher in the FIC group than in all other groups. Also, serum GAG, IL-12, NGF, and TIMP-2 concentrations were found to be effective in the differential diagnosis of FIC vs BC.

CONCLUSIONS

We showed that serum NGF is a candidate biomarker that could be used in the diagnosis and differentiation of FIC. Urine GAG, IL-12, NGF, and TIMP-2 concentrations might be helpful in determining urinary bladder inflammation and/or damage in cats with FIC and BC. ROC analyses revealed that serum and urine biomarkers were effective for diagnosing FIC and that serum biomarkers rather than urine biomarkers were effective for the differential diagnosis of FIC and feline BC.

The First Bacterial Endocarditis Due to Achromobacter xylosoxidans in a Dog

Infectious endocarditis (IE) in dogs is often associated with a high mortality rate as diagnostic work-up as well as antibiotic treatment might be challenging. The present case describes bacteremia in a dog caused by Achromobacter xylosoxidans, leading to an infectious endocarditis. Achromobacter xylosoxidans (A. xylosoxidans) is an aerobic Gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium, which has been associated with multiple nosocomial opportunistic diseases in human medicine. One such manifestation of A. xylosoxidans infection is endocarditis. A. xylosoxidans infections are challenging to treat due to the reduced effectiveness of a wide range of antimicrobial agents. To date, only a few case reports of infections with A. xylosoxidans in animals have been described. This is the first case report of A. xylosoxidans endocarditis in a dog. Whole-genome sequencing was performed to determine the sequencing type and to gain more information about this bacterium regarding its intrinsic resistance genes. With this case report, we seek to increase awareness of A. xylosoxidans as an opportunistic nosocomial pathogen in dogs and to provide a short summary regarding the current state of general knowledge and known resistance patterns.