title: Hypovitaminosis D in dogs with spirocercosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Spirocercosis in dogs is characterized by esophageal nodules that can undergo neoplastic transformation. Hypovitaminosis D has been associated with neoplasia formation. We hypothesized hypovitaminosis D in neoplastic spirocercosis and that it could be a risk factor for neoplastic transformation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To measure and compare vitamin D status, assessed by serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations in non-neoplastic (n = 25) and neoplastic (n = 26) spirocercosis client-owned dogs and healthy dogs (n = 24).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five non-neoplastic dogs, 26 neoplastic dogs, and 24 healthy dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-one dogs were randomly selected from 119 dogs diagnosed with spirocercosis presenting to our hospital, and further divided into non-neoplastic or neoplastic groups. Exclusion criteria included dogs less than 1 year old, with concurrent diseases, received corticosteroids, or treated prophylactically for spirocercosis. Serum 25(OH)D concentration was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Spirocercosis dogs' appetites were graded and compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were significantly different among all groups (P < .001). 25-Hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were significantly lower in neoplastic group (median 30.7 nmol/L [range 14.7-62.2]) compared to non-neoplastic (median 52.7 nmol/L [range 19.1-129.7, P < .05]) and healthy groups (median 74.6 nmol/L [range 37.4-130.5, P < .005]). 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were significantly lower in non-neoplastic spirocercosis dogs compared to healthy ones (P < .05). Neoplastic and non-neoplastic spirocercosis dogs had similar appetite scores (P = 1.0). 25-Hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were not significantly different between dogs with normal (P = .087) and abnormal (P = .125) appetites within neoplastic and non-neoplastic spirocercosis groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further studies are warranted to determine potential use of vitamin D treatment in spirocercosis and explore role of hypovitaminosis D in pathogenesis of malignant transformation.
authors: Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa.
authors: C T
authors: CT
authors: Rosa
authors: J P
authors: JP
authors: Schoeman
authors: J L
authors: JL
authors: Berry
authors: R J
authors: RJ
authors: Mellanby
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Dvir
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D017205:Spirurida Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D013802:Thelazioidea; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D
keywords: Calcidiol; Dog; Neoplasia; Vitamin D