Assay validation of the cardiac isoform of troponin I in double crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) plasma for diagnosis of cardiac damage.
Cardiac abnormalities, initially found in Deepwater Horizon weathered MC252 crude oil exposed Double Crested Cormorants (DCCOs) upon gross necropsy, were further investigated using echocardiography. Clinical and statistically significant changes including decreased ventricular myocardial contractility and arrhythmia were elucidated by echocardiography and interpreted by boarded cardiologists as potentially life threatening. The objective of this investigation was to initiate development of an antemortem, sensitive blood screening test for cardiac damage due to oil exposure of avian species. An assay for the cardiac isoform of troponin I (cTnI) which is known to be highly cross-reactive across mammalian species was chosen and analytically validated in DCCO. This is the first time this test has been analytically validated in avian species. All plasma samples from birds assessed as healthy had trace concentrations (<0.016ng/ml). The assays was precise and accurate revealing a coefficient of variation <3% and an R2>0.99. Diagnostic investigation revealed that the test appears to have diagnostic potential for the diagnosis of cardiomyocyte damage. Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 91% and 73% in this laboratory population. Due to an equivocal sample population in which health could not be proven, further investigation is needed to diagnostically validate troponin I in the assessment of oil exposure in DCCO.
Center for Bird and Exotic Animal Medicine. 11401 NE 195th Street. Bothell, WA 98011 USA.
Melissa
M
Daigneault
Urika, LLC. 8712 53rd Place West, Mukilteo, WA 98275 USA. Electronic address: DrHarr@UrikaPathology.com.
Kendal E
KE
Harr
Abt Associates, 1881 Ninth St., Suite 201, Boulder, CO 80302 USA.
Karen M
KM
Dean
Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA.
Steven J
SJ
Bursian
D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds / Q000097:blood*; D066126:Cardiotoxicity; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects*; D007118:Immunoassay; D008297:Male; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D010578:Petroleum / Q000633:toxicity*; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D019210:Troponin I / Q000032:analysis*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
D010578:Petroleum; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D019210:Troponin I; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
Biomarker; Deepwater Horizon; Heart; Oil-induced cardiomyopathy; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)