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Updated: May 24, 2026
04:33
CRISPR-Cas-mediated Multianalyte Synthetic Urine Biomarker Test for Portable Diagnostics
Published on: December 8, 2023
Urinary clusterin as a renal marker in dogs
Juan D García-Martínez1, Asta Tvarijonaviciute, José J Cerón
1Department of Animal Surgery and Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, Espinardo, Murcia, Spain. juandi@um.es
Summary
Urinary clusterin is a potential early biomarker for canine kidney damage. This study validated a test for urinary clusterin, finding increased levels in dogs with renal damage from leishmaniasis.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Biomarker Discovery
- Canine Nephrology
Background:
- Leishmaniasis is a significant health concern in dogs, often leading to renal complications.
- Early detection of renal damage is crucial for effective management of canine kidney disease.
- Urinary clusterin has emerged as a potential indicator of kidney injury.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate a species-specific enzyme immunoassay for measuring urinary clusterin in dogs.
- To evaluate the utility of urinary clusterin as a biomarker for renal damage in dogs with leishmaniasis.
- To assess the correlation between urinary clusterin levels and the severity of kidney disease.
Main Methods:
- A species-specific enzyme immunoassay was validated for canine urinary clusterin.
- Urine samples were collected from 75 dogs (64 with leishmaniasis, 11 healthy).
- Dogs were categorized into five groups based on serum creatinine and urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio, with a healthy control group.
Main Results:
- The canine urinary clusterin assay demonstrated good analytical performance (precision, accuracy, limit of detection).
- Significantly elevated urinary clusterin and urinary clusterin-to-creatinine ratios were observed in dogs with renal damage (Groups II-V) compared to controls (Group I and healthy).
- Urinary clusterin concentration and the urinary clusterin-to-creatinine ratio increased with the severity of renal damage.
Conclusions:
- Urinary clusterin is a reliable marker for detecting renal damage in dogs.
- The urinary clusterin-to-creatinine ratio shows promise as an early biomarker for chronic kidney disease in dogs.
- This validated assay can aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of kidney disease in canine populations.
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