Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Inflammatory markers in spinal fluid of Great Danes with neck spinal
By Martin-Vaquero, P et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2014·Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Cytokine concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid of great danes with cervical spondylomyelopathy.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of Great Danes with cervical spondylomyelopathy (CSM), a condition that affects the neck and can cause pain and mobility issues, showed different levels of certain inflammatory substances in their spinal fluid compared to healthy dogs. The affected dogs had lower levels of a specific cytokine (MCP-1/CCL2), which might hinder their recovery, while another cytokine (IL-6) was found at higher levels in those with more severe spinal cord damage. This suggests that inflammation plays a significant role in the condition. Understanding these differences could help veterinarians tailor treatments for dogs suffering from CSM.
People also search for: Great Dane neck pain · cervical spondylomyelopathy treatment · dog spinal cord injury symptoms
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Chronic inflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of human cervical spondylotic myelopathy and could also play a role in cervical spondylomyelopathy (CSM) in dogs. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: That cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytokine concentrations would differ between clinically normal (control) and CSM-affected Great Danes (GDs), with affected GDs showing higher levels of inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1/chemokine ligand 2 (MCP-1/CCL2). ANIMALS: Client-owned GDs: 15 control, 15 CSM-affected. METHODS: Prospective study. Dogs underwent cervical vertebral column magnetic resonance imaging and collection of CSF from the cerebellomedullary cistern. Cytokine concentrations were measured using a commercially available canine multiplex immunoassay. Cytokine concentrations were compared between groups. Associations with the administration of anti-inflammatory medications, disease duration and severity, severity of spinal cord (SC) compression, and SC signal changes were investigated in affected GDs. RESULTS: Affected GDs had significantly lower MCP-1/CCL2 (mean 138.03 pg/mL, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 114.85-161.20) than control GDs (212.89 pg/mL, 95% CI = 165.68-260.11, P = .028). In affected GDs, MCP-1/CCL2 concentrations correlated inversely with the severity of SC compression. There were no associations with administration of anti-inflammatory medications, disease duration, or disease severity. IL-6 concentrations were significantly higher (2.20 pg/mL, 95% CI = 1.92-2.47, P < .001) in GDs with SC signal changes. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Lower MCP-1/CCL2 in CSM-affected GDs might compromise clearance of axonal and myelin debris, delay axon regeneration, and affect recovery. Higher IL-6 in CSM-affected GDs with SC signal changes suggests more severe inflammation in this group.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24965833/