Blood protein changes showing vessel damage in dogs with heartworm

Abstract

Previous studies have shown the existence of an acute phase response in dogs with heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis), probably caused by the vascular inflammation that occurs during the pathogenesis of this disease. In addition, it has been seen that this acute phase response persists after finishing treatment, especially in dogs with pulmonary hypertension (PH). Furthermore, echocardiographic studies have shown that PH and endarteritis appear to persist for at least 10 months after completion of adulticide treatment, suggesting that the vascular changes in these dogs may not be reversible. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the serum concentrations of different positive acute phase proteins (APP) [C reactive-protein (CRP), haptoglobin and ferritin] and negative APP (albumin and paraoxonase-1 (PON-1)), and the usefulness of the endothelin-1 (ET-1) and adiponectin, in dogs infected by D. immitis to evaluate their usefulness as diagnostic biomarkers of vascular damage and PH and their progression throughout therapy up to 7 months after the end of adulticide treatment. Twenty-five heartworm-infected dogs received adulticide treatment, and serum measurements were performed on the day of diagnosis (day 0), day of discharge (day 90), and 6 months after discharge (day 270). In addition, presence or absence of PH was also echocardiographically determined using the Right Pulmonary Artery Distensibility Index. PH was present in 44% of the dogs on day 0 and day 90, and in 48% of dogs on day 270. Alterations were observed in the concentrations of all APP throughout the study, persisting the alterations in PON-1 and ferritin on day 270. Depending on the presence or absence of PH, CRP showed significant differences throughout the study, as did ET-1. On the other hand, adiponectin did not show variations throughout the study, so it did not seem a useful marker in this disease. These results could reflect the possible persistence of vascular inflammation up to 7 months after finishing treatment, whether or not there was PH, and consolidate the study of APP as useful markers in heartworm disease. Moreover, persistent PH could be the consequent clinical manifestation in dogs with more severe vascular alterations so the study of APP, especially CRP, and ET-1 could be especially advantageous in these patients in the early evaluation of the disease, as well as for the determination of disease severity, monitoring therapeutic responses, and predicting outcomes.