Changes in choline and cholinesterase in saliva of dogs with parvovirus infection

This study investigated the changes in choline (Ch) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) in saliva in canine parvovirosis (CP) as a model of sepsis, and their correlations with these analytes in serum and with other markers of inflammation such as white blood cell count (WBC) and serum C-reactive protein (CRP). A total of 30 dogs with CP were sampled for saliva and serum at presentation, and 10 healthy puppies were also sampled as controls. Salivary Ch was higher in dogs with CP (P < 0.001) showing a positive correlation with CRP, whereas no differences were observed in salivary BChE. This is the first report in which Ch is measured in saliva of dogs and based in the results of this study, salivary Ch could be potentially used as biomarker of the severity of CP.