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Fibrinolytic activity in cerebrospinal fluid of dogs with different neurological disorders
C de la Fuente1, L Monreal, J Cerón
1Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animal, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
Insights
Fibrinolytic activity in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is activated in dogs with neurological disorders. Elevated CSF D-dimer concentrations are a potential diagnostic marker for steroid-responsive meningitis-arteritis (SRMA).
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Neurology
- Canine Medicine
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Fibrinolytic activity is activated in human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) during various pathological conditions.
- Investigating fibrinolysis in canine CSF is crucial for understanding neurological disease mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure CSF D-dimer concentrations in dogs with neurological disorders.
- To assess the diagnostic potential of CSF D-dimer for specific canine neurological conditions.
Main Methods:
- A prospective observational study involving 169 dogs with neurological disorders, 7 with systemic inflammatory diseases (SID), and 7 healthy controls.
- Simultaneous measurement of D-dimers and C-reactive protein (CRP) in paired CSF and blood samples.
Main Results:
- CSF D-dimers were detected in 43% of samples; concentrations were significantly higher in dogs with steroid-responsive meningitis-arteritis (SRMA) (P < .001).
- CSF CRP was elevated in most dogs, with significantly higher levels in SRMA and SID groups.
- No correlation was found between blood and CSF D-dimer concentrations.
Conclusions:
- Intrathecal fibrinolytic activity is activated in certain canine neurological disorders, particularly severe meningeal inflammatory diseases.
- CSF D-dimer concentrations show promise as a diagnostic biomarker for SRMA in dogs.
Background:
Fibrinolytic activity in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is activated in humans by different pathologic processes.
Objectives:
To investigate fibrinolytic activity in the CSF of dogs with neurological disorders by measuring CSF D-dimer concentrations.
Animals:
One hundred and sixty-nine dogs with neurological disorders, 7 dogs with systemic inflammatory diseases without central nervous system involvement (SID), and 7 healthy Beagles were included in the study. Dogs with neurological disorders included 11 with steroid-responsive meningitis-arteritis (SRMA), 37 with other inflammatory neurological diseases (INF), 38 with neoplasia affecting the central nervous system (NEO), 28 with spinal compressive disorders (SCC), 15 with idiopathic epilepsy (IE), and 40 with noninflammatory neurological disorders (NON-INF).
Methods:
Prospective observational study. D-dimers and C-reactive protein (CRP) were simultaneously measured in paired CSF and blood samples.
Results:
D-dimers and CRP were detected in 79/183 (43%) and in 182/183 (99.5%) CSF samples, respectively. All dogs with IE, SID, and controls had undetectable concentrations of D-dimers in the CSF. CSF D-dimer concentrations were significantly (P < .001) higher in dogs with SRMA than in dogs with other diseases and controls. CSF CRP concentration in dogs with SRMA was significantly (P < .001) higher than in dogs of other groups and controls, except for the SID group. No correlation was found between blood and CSF D-dimer concentrations.
Conclusions And Clinical Importance:
Intrathecal fibrinolytic activity seems to be activated in some canine neurological disorders, and it is high in severe meningeal inflammatory diseases. CSF D-dimer concentrations may be considered a diagnostic marker for SRMA.
