Disintegrin-Like and Metalloprotease With Thrombospondin Type 1 Repeat Motifs 13 (ADAMTS13) Activity in 40 Healthy...

In humans, deficiency of a disintegrin-like and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type 1 motifs, number 13 (ADAMTS13), a von Willebrand factor (vWF) cleaving protease, is an underlying mechanism for thrombosis. The role of ADAMTS13 in canine thromboembolic disease is largely unknown.

The aims of this study were to evaluate plasma ADAMTS13 activity in healthy adult dogs using a commercially available human ADAMTS13 activity ELISA kit and to establish its reference interval (RI).

Forty healthy adult dogs were prospectively enrolled. Normal health status was confirmed using physical examination findings, history, and the results of hemogram, biochemical profile, screen test for vector-borne diseases, and urinalysis. Plasma ADAMTS13 activity was assessed using the Diapharma RUO Technozym ADAMTS13 Activity ELISA. The assay's precision, accuracy, and detection limits were also evaluated.

The canine reference population was comprised of 21 spayed females, 14 castrated males, 3 intact females, and 2 intact males. The median plasma ADAMTS13 activity in healthy dogs was 0.76 IU/mL (range 0.45-1.04). The RI lower limit was 0.45 IU/mL (90% confidence interval 0.45-0.47). The upper limit, although calculated (1.04 IU/mL, 90% CI 1.04-1.04), likely does not reflect the true RI upper limit but a technical limitation of the assay; therefore, rendering an RI of > 0.45 IU/mL. The intra- and inter-assay precision and accuracy range were 9.6%, 11.5%, -8.8% to 3.4%, respectively.

The commercially available human ADAMTS13 activity ELISA kit was suitable to analyze canine samples, and the RI for adult dogs was established.