title: Vascular endothelial growth factor concentrations in dogs with spirocercosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent proangiogenic factor associated with tumor development. Spirocerca lupi is a nematode of canids that induces an esophageal nodule that progresses to a sarcoma in 25% of cases. Determination of neoplastic transformation is challenging and usually based on endoscopy-guided biopsies under general anesthesia, an expensive procedure that often yields nondiagnostic, necrotic samples.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Circulatory VEGF concentrations are increased in dogs with neoplastic spirocercosis and can distinguish between dogs with neoplastic and nonneoplastic disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 24 client-owned dogs, 9 nonneoplastic, 9 neoplastic, and 6 controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case-control study. Plasma and serum VEGF concentrations at the time of diagnosis were compared with those of healthy controls. Measurement of VEGF was performed using a canine-specific ELISA. Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's tests were used for statistical analysis with significance set at P < .05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median plasma VEGF concentrations of dogs with neoplastic spirocercosis were 629 pg/mL (range, 282-2,366) higher than both the nonneoplastic (<39.5 pg/mL; range, <39.5-716) and control dogs (<39.5 pg/mL; all values, <39.5; P = .0003). The median serum VEGF concentration of the neoplastic dogs was 69 pg/mL (range, <39.5-212) higher than the nonneoplastic (<39.5 pg/mL; range, <39.5-44.13) and control dogs (<39.5 pg/mL; all values, <39.5; P = .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both plasma and serum VEGF concentrations can be used to differentiate nonneoplastic and neoplastic spirocercosis. The role of VEGF in neoplastic transformation of S. lupi-induced nodules and the potential utility of anti-VEGF drugs in spirocercosis-induced sarcoma warrant further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mukorera
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Kirberger
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mabeta
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dvir
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D017205:Spirurida Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013802:Thelazioidea / Q000276:immunology*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
keywords: Canine esophagus; Neoplastic; Nonneoplastic