Assessement of serum amyloid A levels in the rehabilitation setting in the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris).
The acute phase protein serum amyloid A (SAA) has been previously shown to have value as a biomarker of inflammation and infection in many species, including manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris). In the current study, results from an automated assay for SAA were used in a rehabilitation setting. Reference intervals were established from clinically normal manatees using the robust method: 0-46 mg/L. More than 30-fold higher mean SAA levels were observed in manatees suffering from cold stress and boat-related trauma. Poor correlations were observed between SAA and total white blood count, percentage of neutrophils, albumin, and albumin/globulin ratio. A moderate correlation was observed between SAA and the presence of nucleated red blood cells. The sensitivity of SAA testing was 93% and the specificity was 98%, representing the highest combined values of all the analytes. The results indicate that the automated method for SAA quantitation can provide important clinical data for manatees in a rehabilitation setting.
Division of Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, P.O. Box 016960 R-46, Miami, Florida 33101, USA. c.cray@miami.edu
Carolyn
C
Cray
Division of Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, P.O. Box 016960 R-46, Miami, Florida 33101, USA.
Meranda
M
Dickey
Miami Seaquarium, 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne, Florida 33149, USA.
Leah Brinson
LB
Brewer
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, P.O. Box 016960 R-669, Miami, Florida 33101, USA.
Kristopher L
KL
Arheart
D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D005431:Florida; D000685:Serum Amyloid A Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D020457:Trichechus manatus / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism
D000685:Serum Amyloid A Protein