Fibrinolytic Activity in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Dogs with Different Neurological Disorders

C. de la Fuente, L. Monreal, J. Cerón, J. Pastor, J. Viu, S. Añor*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

23 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Fibrinolytic activity in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is activated in humans by different pathologic processes. Objectives: To investigate fibrinolytic activity in the CSF of dogs with neurological disorders by measuring CSF D-dimer concentrations. Animals: One hundred and sixty-nine dogs with neurological disorders, 7 dogs with systemic inflammatory diseases without central nervous system involvement (SID), and 7 healthy Beagles were included in the study. Dogs with neurological disorders included 11 with steroid-responsive meningitis-arteritis (SRMA), 37 with other inflammatory neurological diseases (INF), 38 with neoplasia affecting the central nervous system (NEO), 28 with spinal compressive disorders (SCC), 15 with idiopathic epilepsy (IE), and 40 with noninflammatory neurological disorders (NON-INF). Methods: Prospective observational study. D-dimers and C-reactive protein (CRP) were simultaneously measured in paired CSF and blood samples. Results: D-dimers and CRP were detected in 79/183 (43%) and in 182/183 (99.5%) CSF samples, respectively. All dogs with IE, SID, and controls had undetectable concentrations of D-dimers in the CSF. CSF D-dimer concentrations were significantly (P < .001) higher in dogs with SRMA than in dogs with other diseases and controls. CSF CRP concentration in dogs with SRMA was significantly (P < .001) higher than in dogs of other groups and controls, except for the SID group. No correlation was found between blood and CSF D-dimer concentrations. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Intrathecal fibrinolytic activity seems to be activated in some canine neurological disorders, and it is high in severe meningeal inflammatory diseases. CSF D-dimer concentrations may be considered a diagnostic marker for SRMA. © 2012 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1365-1373
JournalJournal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Volume26
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2012

Keywords

  • C-reactive protein
  • D-dimer
  • Intrathecal fibrinolysis
  • SRMA

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Fibrinolytic Activity in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Dogs with Different Neurological Disorders'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this