Evalutation of some potential serological and fecal new markers in canine lymphangiectasia: correlation with mucosal morphology and histological score

Introduction: Intestinal lymphangiectasia (IL) and protein-losing enteropathy are frequently associated. This condition, relatively common in dog, is often associated to diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), intestinal lymphoma or right side heart failure. It is diagnosed by typical features on upper intestinal endoscopy confirmed with duodenal mucosal biopsies, serological alterations as hypoalbuminemia, hypocholesterolemia and hypocabalaminemia. Massive pleural or abdominal fluid collection, thromboembolism, and hypocalcemia or hypomagnesemia are variably associated. Aims of the study was to evaluate news and early serological/fecal markers for this condition. Materials and Methods: We have evaluated, in a group of 16 IL affected dogs, serological levels of albumin, cholesterol, C reactive protein (CRP), bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), cleaved cytokeratin 18 (cCK18), citrulline and zonulin; the latter also evaluated at fecal level. Resulting data were compared with those obtained from a population of 7 healthy dogs (HD) and with histopathological score of intestinal mucosa (HS), morphometrical data regarding villi (villus height, width, height/width ratio), and CIBDAI score. Results: Histomorphological data, serological concentration of albumin (P < 0.0001), cholesterol (P < 0.0001 ), CRP (P = 0.0029), LPS (P = 0.0001) ), cCK18 (P = 0.0001), and fecal concentration of zonulin (P < 0,0001) were able to discriminate IL affected from healthy control dogs. Serological values of zonulin (P = 0.6898), and citrullin (P = 0.0693) showed no differences. Conclusions: The present study shows interesting perspectives for serum bacterial LPS and cCK18, and for fecal zonulin evaluations in discriminating HD from IL.