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Predictive Value of Acute Phase Proteins for the Short-Term Outcome of Meningoencephalitis of Unknown Origin in Dogs
Aurora Cocchetto1, Andrea Zoia2, Rita Aragão1
1Division of Neurology and Neurosurgery, San Marco Veterinary Clinic, Viale dell'Industria 3, 35030 Veggiano, Italy.
Abstract:
Meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO) is one of the most common inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). The study evaluates the possible increase and the potential role of acute phase proteins (APPs) and other inflammatory serum parameters as biomarkers predicting the short-term outcome of dogs with meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO). A retrospective cohort study was designed. The APP profile and other markers of systemic inflammation of forty-eight client-owned dogs with a new diagnosis of MUO were compared between 7-day survival and non-survival dogs diagnosed with MUO. Thirty-nine (81%) dogs were alive at the end of the 7-day follow-up period, while 9 (19%) dogs died or were euthanized because of MUO. None of the 11 markers of inflammation studied were different between the survived and non-survived dogs; for this reason, none of them could be used as a predictor of the short-term outcome based on the results of the present study. This confirms that even though MUO is often associated with a severe inflammatory status of the central nervous system (CNS), this condition is probably isolated exclusively to the CNS.
Insights
Acute phase proteins (APPs) and inflammatory markers do not predict short-term outcomes in dogs with meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO). This suggests the inflammation in MUO is likely confined to the central nervous system (CNS).
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Neurology
- Immunology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO) is a common inflammatory central nervous system (CNS) disease in dogs.
- Identifying reliable biomarkers for predicting MUO outcomes is crucial for clinical management.
- Acute phase proteins (APPs) are systemic inflammatory markers that may reflect CNS inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the potential of acute phase proteins (APPs) and other inflammatory serum markers as predictors of short-term survival in dogs diagnosed with MUO.
- To investigate the relationship between systemic inflammation markers and the outcome of canine MUO.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective cohort study involving 48 client-owned dogs with a new MUO diagnosis.
- Comparison of 11 inflammatory serum markers, including APP profiles, between dogs that survived the initial 7-day period and those that did not.
- Analysis of survival data at the 7-day follow-up point.
Main Results:
- Overall, 81% of dogs survived the 7-day follow-up period, while 19% died or were euthanized due to MUO.
- No significant differences were found in any of the 11 studied inflammatory markers between the survival and non-survival groups.
- The evaluated inflammatory markers could not be used as predictors of short-term outcome in dogs with MUO.
Conclusions:
- The systemic inflammatory markers, including APPs, studied did not prove to be predictive of short-term outcomes in canine MUO.
- The findings suggest that the severe inflammation associated with MUO may be localized primarily to the CNS, without significant systemic manifestation detectable by these markers.
- Further research may be needed to identify specific CNS-based biomarkers for MUO prognosis.
