Serum amyloid A is not a marker for relapse of multicentric lymphoma in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Serum amyloid A (SAA) is an acute phase protein whose concentration increases in inflammatory, infectious, and neoplastic conditions in animals and human beings. Multicentric lymphoma is a common cancer in dogs, and chemotherapy is indicated to attain long-term survival. However, frequent relapses lead to changes in chemotherapeutic protocols. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to evaluate SAA as a marker for relapse of multicentric lymphoma in dogs and to determine whether chemotherapy induces changes in the concentration of SAA during treatment. METHODS: SAA was measured by an ELISA test in healthy control dogs (n=20), in healthy dogs receiving chemotherapy (n=8), and in dogs with lymphoma (n=20). All dogs receiving chemotherapy were randomly assigned to 2 treatment groups, one receiving cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (CVP) and the other receiving vincristine, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and L-asparaginase (VCMA) protocols. SAA concentration was determined before chemotherapy at weeks 1-4 in healthy dogs receiving chemotherapy and in dogs with lymphoma, then every 3 weeks for 4 months in healthy dogs, and at relapse and in the sample prior to relapse in dogs with lymphoma. SAA was measured only once in the healthy control dogs. Results were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA followed by Tukey multiple comparison tests to compare groups and weeks of treatment. RESULTS: Mean SAA concentration was significantly higher in dogs with lymphoma before chemotherapy compared with healthy and chemotherapy control dogs. No increase in SAA concentration was found at relapse. No differences were observed in SAA concentration based on type of chemotherapy protocol. CONCLUSIONS: SAA is not a marker of relapse in dogs with multicentric lymphoma, nor does chemotherapy regimen affect SAA concentration.

Estudo retrospectivo de casos de insuficiência rena crônica em cães no período de 1999 a 2002 / Retrospective study of chronic renal failure cases in dogs between 1999 a 2002

Com o objetivo de compilar e salientar as informações provenientes do histórico clínico, alterações nos exames laboratoriais e no exame ultra-sonográfico que permitam traçar o perf1l clínico dos pacientes, procedeu-se ao estudo retrospectivo de 191 casos de insuficiência renal crônica (IRC) em cães atendidos no período de 3 anos no HOVET / FMVZ - USP. Foram incluídos aqueles que apresentavam concentração sangüínea de uréia >40mg/dL e de creatinina >2 mg/dL. A maioria dos cães tinha idade superior a 7 anos e, entre os cães de raça definida, a raça mais representada foi o Cocker Spaniel, tanto entre os jovens quanto entre os animais de idade mais avançada. Alterações no apetite, êmese, apatia e poliúria/polidipsia foram as principais manifestações clínicas relatadas. Anemia do tipo não regenerativa e hiperfosfatemia foram as alterações mais freqüentes, além daquelas observadas constatadas no exame de urina (densidade urinária baixa, proteinúria e cilindrúria ausente ou em pequena quantidade). As alterações detectadas no exame ultra-sonográfico renal (aumento de ecogenicidade, redução do tamanho, contorno irregular e a diminuição ou ausência do limite córtico-medular) podem trazer informações adicionais para o diagnóstico de nefropatia crônica em cães.

During the period of three years, a retrospective study of 191 dogs with chronic renal failure was performed, in order to describe and focus information concerning history and clinical signs, as well as laboratorial and ultrasound findings, that could help for better understanding of the disease. Dogs included in this study had presented serum concentration levels of urea and creatinin above 40mg/dL and 2mg/dL, respectively. Most of the animals were alder than 7 year-old, and Cocker Spaniel was the main breed observed among young and old affected dogs. Reduction of appetite, vomiting, lethargy, polidipsia and poliuria were the main clinical signs detected. Non-regenerative anemia and hyperphosphatemia, as well as urinalysis (low urinary specific gravity, absent or slight amount of proteinuria and casts in urinary sediment) and ultrasound exam findings (increase in ecogenicity, decrease in size, irregular shape to the renal contour and narrow toward the corticomedullary junction) could help to additional information for the diagnosis of chronic nephropathy in dogs.