Serum D-lactate concentrations in dogs with parvoviral enteritis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Dogs infected with canine parvovirus (CPV) have compromised intestinal epithelial barrier integrity. Production of D-lactate by enteric bacteria may directly reflect disease severity or contribute to metabolic acid-base status in these dogs. HYPOTHESIS: Serum D-lactate concentration will be increased in CPV dogs compared to healthy controls and correlate with markers of disease severity and acid-base status. ANIMALS: Dogs with CPV undergoing treatment (n = 40) and healthy control dogs (n = 9). METHODS: Prospective observational study. Dogs with CPV had a baseline and daily CBC, venous blood gas with serum electrolyte concentrations, composite clinical severity score, and serum D-lactate concentration performed. A single serum D-lactate measurement was obtained from healthy control dogs. RESULTS: The CPV dogs had a higher D-lactate concentration (mean&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;SD) of 469&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;173&#x2009;&#x3bc;M compared to controls, 306&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;45&#x2009;&#x3bc;M (P&#x2009;<&#x2009;.001). There was no difference in baseline D-lactate concentrations for CPV survivors (474&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;28&#x2009;&#x3bc;M), versus nonsurvivors (424&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;116&#x2009;&#x3bc;M; P = .70). D-lactate concentration decreased over the first 4&#x2009;days of treatment (-9.6&#x2009;&#x3bc;M/d; P = .46). Dogs hospitalized for <4&#x2009;days had lower baseline D-lactate concentrations compared to those hospitalized &#x2265;4&#x2009;days (400&#x2009;&#xb1; 178&#x2009;&#x3bc;M versus 520&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;152&#x2009;&#x3bc;M; P = .03). No sustained correlation over time between serum D-lactate concentration and clinical severity score or recorded acid-base results. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Serum D-lactate concentrations are higher in dogs with CPV compared to healthy controls but do not appear to be clinically relevant. No relationship identified between serum D-lactate concentrations and markers of CPV disease severity, acid-base status, or outcome.