Use of serum C-reactive protein as an early marker of inflammatory activity in canine type II immune-mediated polyarthritis: case report.
BACKGROUND
Monitoring systemic inflammatory activity during steroid therapy of canine immune-mediated polyarthritis (IMPA) is difficult and mainly relies on clinical signs.


METHODS
Canine serum C-reactive protein (CRP) was measured serially and blinded during a 27-week follow-up period of a case of Anaplasma phagocytophilia induced type II immune-mediated polyarthritis.


CONCLUSIONS
WBC was, as expected, observed not to reflect the inflammatory activity during steroid treatment in a clinical useful manner, whereas, CRP is suggested a valuable unbiased marker of inflammatory activity during steroid treatment in this case.
Kjelgaard-Hansen
Mads
M
Central Laboratory, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, 3 Gronnegaardsvej, DK-1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark. mjkh@kvl.dk
Jensen
Asger Lundorff
AL
Houser
Geoffrey A
GA
Jessen
Lisbeth Rem
LR
Kristensen
Annemarie T
AT
D041081:Anaplasma phagocytophilum / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000743:Anemia, Hemolytic / Q000209:etiology; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D001168:Arthritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D004285:Dogs; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016873:Ehrlichiosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007249:Inflammation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D011239:Prednisolone; D004318:Doxycycline