title: C-reactive protein concentration in dogs with chronic valvular disease.
abstract: The purpose of the study reported here was to determine whether dogs with chronic valvular disease have increased plasma C-reactive protein concentration, compared with that in clinically normal dogs. Blood was collected from 47 dogs with physical and echocardiographic evidence of chronic valvular disease and from 20 healthy controls. C-reactive protein concentration was determined with a commercial canine C-reactive protein enzyme immunoassay. Compared with controls, dogs with chronic valvular disease had higher plasma concentration of C-reactive protein (median 2.17 microg/mL [range, 0.86-33.8 microg/mL]) versus 1.43 microg/mL [range, 0.84-4.99 microg/mL]; P < .001). C-reactive protein concentration was not related to the presence of congestive heart failure or murmur grade. The results of this study suggest that increased concentration of C-reactive protein is found in dogs with chronic valvular disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA. John.Rush@tufts.edu
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Rush
authors.forename: Nathan D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Lisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brewer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein