title: Serum and fecal canine α1-proteinase inhibitor concentrations reflect the severity of intestinal crypt abscesses and/or lacteal dilation in dogs.
abstract: Gastrointestinal (GI) protein loss, due to lymphangiectasia or chronic inflammation, can be challenging to diagnose. This study evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of serum and fecal canine α1-proteinase inhibitor (cα1PI) concentrations to detect crypt abscesses and/or lacteal dilation in dogs. Serum and fecal cα1PI concentrations were measured in 120 dogs undergoing GI tissue biopsies, and were compared between dogs with and without crypt abscesses/lacteal dilation. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for dichotomous outcomes. Serial serum cα1PI concentrations were also evaluated in 12 healthy corticosteroid-treated dogs. Serum cα1PI and albumin concentrations were significantly lower in dogs with crypt abscesses and/or lacteal dilation than in those without (both P <0.001), and more severe lesions were associated with lower serum cα1PI concentrations, higher 3 days-mean fecal cα1PI concentrations, and lower serum/fecal cα1PI ratios. Serum and fecal cα1PI, and their ratios, distinguished dogs with moderate or severe GI crypt abscesses/lacteal dilation from dogs with only mild or none such lesions with moderate sensitivity (56-92%) and specificity (67-81%). Serum cα1PI concentrations increased during corticosteroid administration. We conclude that serum and fecal α1PI concentrations reflect the severity of intestinal crypt abscesses/lacteal dilation in dogs. Due to its specificity for the GI tract, measurement of fecal cα1PI appears to be superior to serum cα1PI for diagnosing GI protein loss in dogs. In addition, the serum/fecal cα1PI ratio has an improved accuracy in hypoalbuminemic dogs, but serum cα1PI concentrations should be carefully interpreted in corticosteroid-treated dogs.
authors.affiliation: Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4474, USA. Electronic address: rheilmann@cvm.tamu.edu.
authors.forename: Romy M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Heilmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, 625 Harrison St., West Lafayette IN 47907 USA.
authors.forename: Nolie K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Parnell
authors.affiliation: Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4474, USA.
authors.forename: Niels
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Grützner
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4467, USA.
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mansell
authors.affiliation: Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4474, USA.
authors.forename: Nora
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Berghoff
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schellenberg
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Claudia E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Reusch
authors.affiliation: Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4474, USA.
authors.forename: Jan S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Suchodolski
authors.affiliation: Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4474, USA.
authors.forename: Jörg M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Steiner
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D004285:Dogs; D005243:Feces; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011504:Protein-Losing Enteropathies / Q000097:blood / Q000662:veterinary*; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin; D014805:Vitamin B 12; D002118:Calcium
keywords: Canine; Crypt abscess; Fecal; Lacteal dilation; Radioimmunoassay; α(1)-Proteinase inhibitor