Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein test for diagnosing and monitoring feline
By Helfer-Hungerbuehler, A Katrin et al.·Published in Viruses·2024·Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Alpha-1-Acid Glycoprotein Quantification via Spatial Proximity Analyte Reagent Capture Luminescence Assay: Application as Diagnostic and Prognostic Marker in Serum and Effusions of Cats with Feline Infectious Peritonitis Undergoing GS-441524 Therapy.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of cats diagnosed with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) were treated with an antiviral drug called GS-441524. Researchers found that measuring a protein called alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) in their blood could help determine how well the treatment was working. Cats with FIP had much higher AGP levels compared to healthy cats or those with other illnesses. After starting treatment, the AGP levels dropped significantly within a week and returned to normal after about two weeks, indicating the treatment was effective. This method of measuring AGP can help vets monitor FIP treatment and catch any relapses early.
People also search for: cat FIP treatment · GS-441524 for cats · feline infectious peritonitis symptoms · how to monitor cat FIP recovery
Abstract
Until recently, the diagnosis of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) in cats usually led to euthanasia, but recent research has revealed that antiviral drugs, including the nucleoside analog GS-441524, have the potential to effectively cure FIP. Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) has been suggested as a diagnostic marker for FIP. However, AGP quantification methods are not easily accessible. This study aimed to establish a Spatial Proximity Analyte Reagent Capture Luminescence (SPARCL) assay on the VetBio-1 analyzer to determine the AGP concentrations in feline serum and effusion samples. Linearity was found in serial dilutions between 1:2000 and 1:32,000; the intra-run and inter-run precision was <5% and <15%, respectively; and AGP was stable in serum stored for at least 8 days at room temperature, at 4 °C and at -20 °C. Cats with confirmed FIP had significantly higher serum AGP concentrations (median: 2954 µg/mL (range: 200-5861 µg/mL)) than those with other inflammatory diseases (median: 1734 µg/mL (305-3449 µg/mL)) and clinically healthy cats (median 235 µg/mL (range: 78-616 µg/mL);< 0.0001). The AGP concentrations were significantly higher in the effusions from cats with FIP than in those from diseased cats without FIP (< 0.0001). The AGP concentrations in the serum of cats with FIP undergoing GS-441524 treatment showed a significant drop within the first seven days of treatment and reached normal levels after ~14 days. In conclusion, the VetBio-1 SPARCLassay offers a precise, fast and cost-effective method to measure the AGP concentrations in serum and effusion samples of feline patients. The monitoring of the AGP concentration throughout FIP treatment provides a valuable marker to evaluate the treatment's effectiveness and identify potential relapses at an early stage.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38793672/