Plasma procalcitonin kinetics in healthy dogs and dogs undergoing tibial plateau leveling osteotomy

Johanna Rompf; Bianca Hettlich; Bérénice Lutz; Eliane Marti; Jelena Mirkovitch; Laureen Peters; Katja-Nicole Adamik; Gertraud Schüpbach-Regula; Barbara Willi; Simone Schuller

doi:10.1111/vcp.13212

Plasma procalcitonin kinetics in healthy dogs and dogs undergoing tibial plateau leveling osteotomy

Vet Clin Pathol. 2023 Jun;52(2):360-368. doi: 10.1111/vcp.13212. Epub 2023 Mar 10.

Affiliations

¹ Division of Small Animal Internal medicine, Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
² Surgery Division, Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
³ Division of Neurological Sciences, Department of Clinical Research and Veterinary Public Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
⁴ Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
⁵ Division of Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care, Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
⁶ Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
⁷ Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

PMID: 36898678
DOI: 10.1111/vcp.13212

Abstract

Background: Procalcitonin (PCT) is a well-established biomarker for bacterial infection in human patients.

Objectives: We aimed to analyze the kinetics of plasma PCT (pPCT) in healthy dogs and dogs with canine cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture undergoing tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO).

Methods: This prospective, longitudinal study included 15 healthy dogs and 25 dogs undergoing TPLO. Hematology, pPCT, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were assessed on 3 consecutive days in healthy dogs and 1 day preoperatively and days 1, 2, 10, and 56 postoperatively. Inter- and intraindividual variability of pPCT were assessed in healthy dogs. Median pPCT concentrations of dogs with CCL rupture preoperatively were compared with healthy controls, and median pPCT concentrations, as well as percentage change post anesthesia, arthroscopy, and TPLO, were compared with baseline. For the correlation analysis, the Spearman rank correlation test was used.

Results: Inter- and intraindividual variabilities of pPCT in healthy dogs were 36% and 15%, respectively. Median baseline pPCT concentrations were not significantly different between healthy dogs (118.9 pg/mL; IQR: 75.3-157.3 pg/mL) and dogs undergoing TPLO (95.9 pg/mL; IQR: 63.8-117.0 pg/mL). Plasma PCT concentrations were significantly lower immediately post- than preoperatively (P < 0.001). CRP, WBC, and neutrophil concentrations increased significantly on post-OP day 2 and had normalized by day 10.

Conclusions: These results indicate that CCL rupture, as well as anesthesia, arthroscopy, and TPLO combined, are not associated with increased pPCT concentrations in dogs with uncomplicated recovery. Considering the high intraindividual variability, individual serial measurements rather than a population-based reference interval should be considered.

Keywords: canine; interindividual variability; intraindividual variability; orthopedic surgery; surgical site infection.

MeSH terms

Animals
Anterior Cruciate Ligament / surgery
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries* / surgery
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries* / veterinary
C-Reactive Protein
Dog Diseases* / surgery
Dogs
Humans
Longitudinal Studies
Osteotomy / methods
Osteotomy / veterinary
Procalcitonin
Prospective Studies
Retrospective Studies
Stifle
Tibia / surgery

Substances

Procalcitonin
C-Reactive Protein

Grants and funding

1.20.03/Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office