Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Blood test proteins predict recovery in dogs with severe spinal cord
By Olby, Natasha J et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2019·Department of Clinical Sciences·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Time course and prognostic value of serum GFAP, pNFH, and S100β concentrations in dogs with complete spinal cord injury because of intervertebral disc extrusion.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 31 dogs with severe spinal cord injury caused by a slipped disc were studied to see if certain blood proteins could help predict their recovery. These dogs were unable to walk and had no feeling in their legs. Over the next few weeks, researchers measured levels of specific proteins in their blood. They found that higher levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the first few days after injury were linked to a better chance of recovery. In fact, about 62% of the dogs regained the ability to walk after treatment.
People also search for: dog spinal cord injury recovery · dog unable to walk treatment · GFAP blood test for dogs
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A noninvasive biomarker is needed to predict recovery from severe spinal cord injury (SCI) because of thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion (TL-IVDE). Proteins released from neural and glial cells can be detected in the blood and show promise as prognostic tools, but their concentration is influenced by time after injury. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Serum concentrations of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain (pNFH), and S100β will follow different time courses; measurement of combinations of these proteins will predict outcome. ANIMALS: Thirty-one dogs with TL-IVDE causing paralysis with no pain perception. METHODS: Prospective study. Serum samples were taken at presentation and intervals over 56 days and banked at -80°C. Glial fibrillary acidic protein, pNFH, and S100β concentrations were measured using ELISA tests and plotted against time from onset of nonambulatory status. Outcome was established at 6 months. The association between biomarker concentration and outcome was examined using logistic regression, receiver operator characteristics curve analysis, and model development. RESULTS: Thirty-one dogs participated, 3/31 (10%) developed progressive myelomalacia and 19/31 (62%) recovered ambulation. Glial fibrillary acidic protein and S100β concentrations rose for the first 1 to 3 days, and were undetectable by 14 and 28 days, respectively. Phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain concentrations peaked at 14 days and were detectable at 56 days. Glial fibrillary acidic protein concentrations in the first 72 hours after onset of nonambulatory status predicted recovery with an accuracy of 76.7%-89% depending on sample timing. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Serum GFAP concentrations can be used to predict outcome in clinically complete SCI. A rapid inexpensive bedside test is needed.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30758078/