title: NT-proBNP and cardiac troponin I concentrations in dogs with tick paralysis caused by Ixodes holocyclus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine through measurement of cardiac biomarkers whether there was cardiac involvement in dogs infested with Ixodes holocyclus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dogs with tick paralysis and no-mild (group 1; n = 44) or moderate-severe respiratory compromise (group 2; n = 36) and a control group of dogs (n = 31) were enrolled. Plasma N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and serum creatinine concentrations were determined. For most of the affected dogs SpO2 was determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SpO2 readings did not differ between groups 1 and 2. Three animals in group 2 had an SpO2 reading <90%. NT-proBNP concentrations were lower in both groups 1 and 2 compared with the control group. There was no difference in cTnI concentrations among groups, although they were elevated in four dogs, including the three dogs in group 2 with SpO2 readings <90%. Creatinine concentrations were within the reference interval for all dogs, but did differ among the groups, with control dogs having the highest values, followed by group 1 and then group 2.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study did not detect significant cardiac involvement in dogs with tick paralysis induced by I. holocyclus. Evidence for reduced preload in dogs with tick paralysis was provided by lower NT-proBNP concentrations compared with control dogs. Severe hypoxaemia may not be a significant component of the clinical picture in many of the dogs presenting with tick paralysis. Dogs with severe hypoxaemia may have loss of cardiomyocyte integrity, reflected by elevated cTnI concentrations.
authors.affiliation: University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Sydney, Evelyn Williams Building B10, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia.
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Nicolson
authors.affiliation: University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Sydney, Evelyn Williams Building B10, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia.
authors.forename: Alh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McGrath
authors.affiliation: Animal Emergency Service, Carrara, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Webster
authors.affiliation: Northside Emergency Veterinary Service, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Northside Emergency Veterinary Service, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kaye
authors.affiliation: Centre of Veterinary Education B22, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Malik
authors.affiliation: University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Sydney, Evelyn Williams Building B10, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia. niek.beijerink@sydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Beijerink
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D018884:Ixodes; D008297:Male; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D013984:Tick Infestations / Q000097:blood / Q000469:parasitology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013985:Tick Paralysis / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D019210:Troponin I / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D019210:Troponin I; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D003404:Creatinine
keywords: Ixodes holocyclus; NT-proBNP; dogs; tick paralysis; troponin