How C-reactive protein helps tell two dog brain diseases apart

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations in dogs with eosinophilic meningoencephalitis (EME) and dogs with steroid-responsive meningitis-arteritis (SRMA) and compare clinical features of the 2 groups. METHODS: Medical records from 2 referral hospitals in Australia of client-owned dogs diagnosed with EME and SRMA between February 1, 2020, and April 30, 2025, were reviewed. Data collected included breed, age, sex, weight, comorbidities, physical examination findings, plasma CRP measurements, CSF analysis, hematology results, and final diagnosis for EME patients. RESULTS: 15 dogs with EME and 35 dogs with SRMA were included in the study. Dogs diagnosed with EME had significantly lower plasma CRP values compared to dogs with SRMA. The mean CRP concentration was 7.45 mg/L (95% CI, 5.21 to 10.66 mg/L) for the EME group and 112.0 mg/L (95% CI, 96.3 to 130.9 mg/L) for the SRMA group. None of the dogs in the EME group had a significant elevation in plasma CRP of over 30 mg/L. Dogs with EME were generally younger than those with SRMA, with lower rectal temperature and fewer comorbidities on presentation. The leukogram profiles between the 2 groups were markedly different, and peripheral eosinophilia was not a consistent finding in patients with EME. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma CRP showed good diagnostic potential for differentiating between EME and SRMA in dogs, especially when interpreted alongside demographic and other clinicopathological features. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This information may assist clinicians in clinical reasoning when presented with young dogs showing similar neurological signs.