Time course and prognostic value of serum GFAP, pNFH, and S100β concentrations in dogs with complete spinal cord injury because of intervertebral disc extrusion

• DOI: 10.1111/jvim.15439
• Publication Date: 2019-02-13T12:39:49Z
• Authors: Natasha J. Olby; Ji‐Hey Lim; Nikki Wagner; Natalia Zidan; Peter J. Early; Christopher L. Ma...; Karen R. Muñana; Eric Laber
• Keywords: Neurofilament

Background A noninvasive biomarker is needed to predict recovery from severe spinal cord injury (SCI) because of thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion (TL‐IVDE). Proteins released neural and glial cells can be detected in the blood show promise as prognostic tools, but their concentration influenced by time after injury. Hypothesis/Objectives Serum concentrations fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain (pNFH), S100β will follow different courses; measurement combinations these proteins outcome. Animals Thirty‐one dogs with TL‐IVDE causing paralysis no pain perception. Methods Prospective study. samples were taken at presentation intervals over 56 days banked −80°C. Glial protein, pNFH, measured using ELISA tests plotted against onset nonambulatory status. Outcome was established 6 months. The association between outcome examined logistic regression, receiver operator characteristics curve analysis, model development. Results participated, 3/31 (10%) developed progressive myelomalacia 19/31 (62%) recovered ambulation. rose for first 1 3 days, undetectable 14 28 respectively. Phosphorylated peaked detectable days. 72 hours status predicted an accuracy 76.7%‐89% depending on sample timing. Conclusions Clinical Importance GFAP used clinically complete SCI. rapid inexpensive bedside test needed.