Evaluation of serum feline trypsin-like immunoreactivity for the diagnosis of pancreatitis in cats.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate serum feline trypsin-like immunoreactivity (fTLI) concentration and results of abdominal ultrasonography, CBC, and serum biochemical analyses for diagnosis of pancreatitis in cats.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
28 cats with clinical signs compatible with pancreatitis.


METHODS
Serum fTLI concentrations were determined, and abdominal ultrasonography, CBC, and serum biochemical analyses were performed prior to histologic evaluation of pancreatic, hepatic, and intestinal specimens. On the basis of histologic results, cats were categorized as having a normal pancreas (n = 10), pancreatic fibrosis with ongoing inflammation (9), pancreatic fibrosis without inflammation (4), and acute necrotizing pancreatitis (5). Serum fTLI concentrations and results of CBC, serum biochemical analyses, and histologic evaluation of hepatic and intestinal specimens were compared among groups.


RESULTS
Significant differences in serum fTLI concentrations or any hematologic or biochemical variable were not detected among the 4 groups of cats. Median serum fTLI concentrations were 51 micrograms/L (range, 18 to 200 micrograms/L) in cats with a normal pancreas, 32 micrograms/L (range, 12 to > 200 micrograms/L) in cats with pancreatic fibrosis and ongoing inflammation, 124 micrograms/L (range, 36 to > 200 micrograms/L) in cats with pancreatic fibrosis without ongoing inflammation, and 30 micrograms/L (range, 24 to 84 micrograms/L) in cats with acute necrotizing pancreatitis. We detected a high prevalence of concurrent hepatic and intestinal tract disease in cats with pancreatitis.


CONCLUSIONS
In cats with clinical signs of pancreatitis, serum fTLI concentration is poorly associated with histopathologic diagnosis.
Swift
N C
NC
Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.
Marks
S L
SL
MacLachlan
N J
NJ
Norris
C R
CR
D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002415:Cats; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010179:Pancreas / Q000473:pathology; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay / Q000662:veterinary; D014357:Trypsin / Q000097:blood*; D014362:Trypsinogen / Q000097:blood*
D014362:Trypsinogen; D014357:Trypsin