Proteínas de fase aguda em cães diagnosticados com ceratoconjuntivite seca.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the serum levels of C-reactive protein, haptoglobin and ceruloplasmina in dogs diagnosed with keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), as well as to identify underlying diseases (Ehrlichiosis and Leishmaniasis). We used 15 animals from the routine of care of the Small Animal Medical Clinic (SAMC) of the Veterinary Hospital (VH) of the Rural Health and Technology Center (RHTC) of the Federal University of Campina Grande (FUCG), and diagnosed with KCS through Schirmer Lacrimal Test (SLT), and leishmaniasis and ehrlichiosis by immunochromatographic tests. The animals were divided into two groups called leishmaniasis (GL, n = 6) and erychchiosis (GE, n = 7). Other 4 animals without manifestation of any ophthalmic disease constituted the control group (CG). Hematology, serum creatinine, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Alkaline Phosphatase (FA), total protein (PT), albumin and globulin, and C-reactive protein, haptoglobin and ceruloplasmin were measured in all animals. The data were submitted to the Student's t-test or the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test (p <0.05). Statistical analyzes were performed in both groups, correlating the acute phase proteins (APPs) with the TLS, hemogram and biochemistry. Among the APPs, only haptoglobin showed statistical correlation for some of the studied variables, being the most expressive and trustworthy in the evaluation of dogs with CCS associated with infectious diseases such as leishmaniasis and erychchiosis. There was a marked change in hematological and biochemical variables in both GL and GE dogs. The main alterations found in GL animals were normochromic normocytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, eosinopenia, monocytopenia, lymphopenia, hypoalbuminemia, hyperglobulinemia and hyperproteinemia. In GE, the main changes observed were thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia, monocytopenia, hypoalbuminemia, hyperproteinemia and hyperglobulinemia. Based on the data obtained it is possible to conclude that the acute phase protein (APP) most indicated to aid in the diagnosis of dry keratoconjunctivitis (CCS) is haptoglobina, being also considered as a reliable APP to indicate anemia in dogs with leishmaniasis and thrombocytopenia in dogs with ehrlichiosis.