Apolipoprotein A1 and serum amyloid A in dogs with sepsis and septic shock

• DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1098322
• Publication Date: 2023-03-02T06:41:44Z
• Authors: Cecilia Bulgarelli; Elena Ciuffoli; Roberta Troia; Robert Goggs; Francesco Dondi; Massimo Giunti
• Keywords: high-density lipoproteins; lactate; General Veterinary; acute phase protein; Veterinary medicine; SF600-1100; acute phase protein; canine; high-density lipoproteins; lactate; organ dysfunction; canine; organ dysfunction; Veterinary Science; 3. Good health

IntroductionApolipoprotein-A1 (Apo-A1) acts as a negative acute phase protein (APP) during inflammatory states, and has a potential prognostic value in people and dogs with sepsis. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the association of serum Apo-A1 concentration with disease severity, multiorgan dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and outcome in a population of dogs with sepsis, and to assess its correlation with major canine APPs.MethodsNinety-nine dogs with uncomplicated sepsis (n = 78) or septic shock (n = 21) were included. The serum concentration of Apo-A1, C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA) were recorded, alongside the canine acute patient physiologic and laboratory evaluation fast (APPLEfast) score and the presence of MODS.ResultsDogs with septic shock had significantly lower serum Apo-A1 concentrations (106.3 ± 22.7 mg/dl; reference interval: 123.0–142.3 mg/dl), higher APPLEfast score (30, 13–38) and greater frequency of MODS (67%) compared to those with uncomplicated sepsis (117.9 ± 19.3 mg/dl; 25, 6–33 and 8%, respectively) (P = 0.0201; P = 0.0005; P < 0.0001, respectively). Similarly, dogs with MODS had significantly lower serum Apo-A1 concentrations (104.1 ± 4.6 mg/dl) and higher APPLEfast score values (31, 13–38) compared to those without MODS (118.32 ± 2.1 mg/dl and 26, 6–33, respectively) (P = 0.0050 and P = 0.0038, respectively). Conversely, neither CRP nor SAA were different between these groups. No difference in serum APPs concentrations was detected between survivors and non-survivors. Significant negative correlations were detected between serum Apo-A1 and SAA (P = 0.0056, r = −0.277), and between serum Apo-A1 and the APPLEfast score (P = 0.0027, r = −0.3). In this population, higher values of the APPLEfast score and the presence of MODS were independently associated with a higher risk of death.DiscussionOur study shows that Apo-A1 is a useful biomarker of sepsis severity in dogs, since it is decreased in those with septic shock and MODS. Further prospective investigations are deemed to evaluate the applicability of Apo-A1 to predict sepsis course and response to treatment in septic dogs.