title: Validation of a commercially available automated canine-specific immunoturbidimetric method for measuring canine C-reactive protein.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Measurement of C-reactive protein (CRP) is used for diagnosing and monitoring systemic inflammatory disease in canine patients. An automated human immunoturbidimetric assay has been validated for measuring canine CRP, but cross-reactivity with canine CRP is unpredictable.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the study was to validate a new automated canine-specific immunoturbidimetric CRP method (Gentian cCRP).
  
  
  METHODS
  Studies of imprecision, accuracy, prozone effect, interference, limit of quantification, and stability under different storage conditions were performed. The new method was compared with a human CRP assay previously validated for canine CRP determination. Samples from 40 healthy dogs were analyzed to establish a reference interval.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total imprecision was < 2.4% for 4 tested serum pools analyzed twice daily over 10 days. The method was linear under dilution, and no prozone effect was detected at a concentration of 1200 mg/L. Recovery after spiking serum with purified canine CRP at 2 different concentrations was 123% and 116%, respectively. No interference from hemoglobin or triglycerides (10 g/L) was detected. CRP was stable for 14 days at 4°C and 22°C. In the method comparison study, there was good agreement between the validated human CRP assay and the new canine-specific assay. Healthy dogs had CRP concentrations that were less than the limit of quantification of the Gentian cCRP method (6.8 mg/L).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The new canine-specific immunoturbidimetric CRP assay is a reliable and rapid method for measuring canine CRP, suitable for clinical use due to the option for an automated assay.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hillström
authors.forename: Ragnvi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hagman
authors.forename: Harold
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tvedten
authors.forename: Mads
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kjelgaard-Hansen
mesh_terms: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D001322:Autoanalysis / Q000662:veterinary; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D009391:Nephelometry and Turbidimetry / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D055550:Protein Stability; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D002097:C-Reactive Protein
keywords: Acute phase protein; CRP; method comparison; reference interval; stability