Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 20, 2025
Evaluation of a Reliable Biomarker in a Cecal Ligation and Puncture-Induced Mouse Model of Sepsis
Published on: December 9, 2022
Evaluation of Serum Apolipoprotein A1 in Canine Sepsis
Massimo Giunti1, Giorgio Grossi1, Roberta Troía1
1Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Abstract:
Decreased serum apolipoprotein A1 (Apo-A1) concentration is associated with mortality in human sepsis. The diagnostic and prognostic role of serum Apo-A1 concentrations in canine sepsis was evaluated. Serum samples from septic dogs (n = 91) and healthy controls (n = 15) were retrospectively analyzed. According to the sepsis origin, four categories were identified: parvoviral enteritis (n = 26), pyometra (n = 20), septic peritonitis (n = 19), and miscellanea (n = 26). The canine acute patient physiologic and laboratory evaluation fast score (APPLEfast), serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and albumin concentrations were reviewed in all enrolled dogs. Increased CRP (252.6 ± 119.2 mg/L; Reference Interval: 0-8.5 mg/L) and significant lower serum albumin and Apo-A1 concentrations were documented in dogs with sepsis (22.8 ± 5.3 g/L and 1.17 ± 0.27 g/L, respectively) compared to healthy ones (33.1 ± 2.5 g/L and 1.32 ± 0.05 g/L, respectively) (P < 0.0001). According to the origin of sepsis, only the subgroup of dogs with septic peritonitis had significantly lower Apo-A1 (1.03 ± 0.26 g/L) concentrations compared to healthy dogs (P < 0.001). No significant differences were found in serum albumin and CRP concentrations, and in APPLEfast score values among the different subgroups of sepsis. Diagnosis of septic peritonitis was associated with a higher frequency of death (P = 0.006). In septic dogs, significant lower Apo-A1 concentrations were detected in non-survivors (1.02 ± 0.28 g/L; n = 27) compared to survivors (1.23 ± 0.24 g/L; n = 64; P = 0.0007). Moreover, significant higher values of the APPLEfast score were calculated in non-survivors (26 ± 4; n = 19) compared to survivors (23 ± 4; n = 51) (P = 0.0114). According to the area under the ROC curve analysis, Apo-A1 <96 mg/dl had a fair accuracy (AUC = 0.72) to correctly predict mortality (P = 0.0004). Apo-A1 might support a diagnosis of canine septic peritonitis with a potential prognostic significance. Further prospective studies are warranted.
