Serum amyloid A levels and alpha 2 and gamma globulins on serum protein electrophoresis in cats exposed to and infected with Leishmania infantum

Abstract Background Dogs are the main reservoir hosts of Leishmania infantum; nevertheless, recent investigations indicate a likely role for cats in the epidemiology of Leishmania infection. Feline leishmaniosis (FeL) remains poorly characterised, partly due to the lack of suitable diagnostic tools. This study aimed to compare serum amyloid A (SAA) levels and serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) profiles (specifically, alpha 2 and gamma globulins) in cats naturally exposed to or infected by L. infantum from southern Italy versus those of healthy controls and versus cats with neoplastic or inflammatory conditions from non-endemic areas. Methods Serum or plasma samples from four cohorts of cats were analysed for SAA levels and by SPE: (i) G1: healthy controls from Leishmania-non-endemic regions of Switzerland; (ii) G2: cats pre-diagnosed with neoplastic or inflammatory conditions available from the University of Cambridge sample archive; (iii) G3: L. infantum-seropositive, quantitative (q)PCR-negative cats from southern Italy; (iv) G4: L. infantum-seropositive and qPCR-positive cats from southern Italy. SAA data were assessed for normality and homoscedasticity using the Shapiro–Wilk and Levene’s tests, respectively; the Kruskall–Wallis test, followed by Dunn’s test with Bonferroni correction were subsequently used to compare SAA serum levels between groups. A weighted generalised linear model with a binomial distribution was used to assess statistically significant differences in the numbers of animals displaying elevated gamma globulins and increased alpha 2 globulins between groups. Results Overall, 68 samples were analysed (G1: n = 16, G2: n = 20, G3: n = 20, G4: n = 12). Cats suffering from neoplastic and inflammatory conditions (G2 ) showed significantly higher SAA levels than healthy controls (G1) (median values [interquartile range]: G1: 0.00 [0.00–0.00] mg/l versus G2: 0.85 [0.00–49.55] mg/l). G2, G3 and G4 cats showed higher percentages of individuals with increased alpha 2 globulins (percentages ± standard error: G1 = 20.0% ± 10.3, G2 = 80.0% ± 8.9, G3 = 70.0% ± 10.2, G4 = 75.0% ± 12.5) and gamma globulins (G1 = 0.0% ± 0, G2 = 65.0% ± 10.7, G3 = 50.0% ± 11.2, G4 = 58.3% ± 14.2) than healthy control cats (G1). For all three markers, no significant difference between cats within G2, G3 and G4 was recorded. Conclusions This study indicates that the proportions of animals with elevated levels of alpha 2 and gamma globulins are significantly higher in cats exposed to and infected with L. infantum. Levels of SAA and alpha 2 and gamma globulins may not be used to differentiate between L. infantum infection or exposure, and neoplastic and/or inflammatory conditions. Graphic Abstract

Download Full-text

Serum Amyloid A levels and α2- and Gamma globulins on Serum Protein Electrophoresis in cats exposed to and infected with Leishmania infantum

10.21203/rs.3.rs-79496/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Giulia Savioli ◽

Joy Archer ◽

Emanuele Brianti ◽

Manuela Schnyder ◽

Roberta Iatta ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Serum Protein ◽

Leishmania Infantum ◽

Serum Amyloid A ◽

Southern Italy ◽

Protein Electrophoresis ◽

Serum Amyloid ◽

Serum Protein Electrophoresis ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Amyloid A ◽

Inflammatory Conditions

Abstract Background: Although dogs are the main reservoir host of Leishmania infantum, recent investigations indicate a role for cats in its epidemiology. Feline leishmaniosis (FeL) remains poorly characterised, partly due to the lack of diagnostic tools. This study aimed to compare Serum Amyloid A (SAA) levels and serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) profiles (specifically, α2- and gamma globulins) in cats naturally exposed to or infected by L. infantum from southern Italy with those of healthy controls and of cats with neoplastic or inflammatory conditions from non-endemic areas.Methods: Serum or plasma samples from four cohorts of cats were analysed for SAA and by SPE, i.e G1: healthy controls from Leishmania-non-endemic regions of Switzerland, G2: cats pre-diagnosed with neoplastic or inflammatory conditions from the University of Cambridge’s sample archive, G3: L. infantum seropositive, qPCR-negative cats from southern Italy, G4: L. infantum seropositive and qPCR-positive cats from southern Italy. SAA data was assessed for normality using the Kolmogorov-Smirnoff and Shapiro-Wilk normality tests, then compared using a homogeneity of variance test for non-parametric data; the Kruskall-Wallis test, followed by Dunn’s multiple comparison test were used to compare SAA serum levels between groups. The Fisher’s Exact test was used to assess statistically significant differences in the numbers of animals displaying elevated gamma globulins and increased α2-globulins between groups.Results: Overall, 68 samples were analysed (G1 n=16, G2 n=20, G3 n=20, G4 n=12). Cats previously exposed to and/or infected with L. infantum, as well as cats suffering from neoplastic and inflammatory conditions showed significantly higher SAA levels (median values G1=0.00 (0.00-0.00) mg/L, G2=0.85 (0.00-49.55) mg/L, G3=0.00 (0.00-4.53) mg/L, G4= 0.00 (0.00-7.5) mg/L), and higher percentages of cats with increased α2-globulins (G1=20.0% ±10.3, G2=80.0% ±8.9, G3=70.0% ±10.2, G4=75.0% ±12.5) and gamma globulins (G1=0.0% ±0, G2=65.0% ±10.7, G3=50.0% ±11.2, G4=58.3% ±14.2) than healthy control cats. For all three markers, there was no significant difference between G2, G3 and G4.Conclusions: This study indicates that, whilst levels of gamma and α2-globulins and SAA are significantly elevated in cats infected by L. infantum, they cannot be used to differentiate between L. infantum infection or exposure and neoplastic or inflammatory conditions. Nevertheless, these indicators might assist monitoring of ongoing FeL if further studies indicate reduction during or following successful treatment.

Download Full-text

Changes in the Serum Protein Electrophoresis Profile in Dogs With Pyometra

Frontiers in Veterinary Science ◽

10.3389/fvets.2021.626540 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Ji-Seon Yoon ◽

DoHyeon Yu ◽

Jinho Park

Keyword(s):

Serum Protein ◽

Serum Amyloid A ◽

Protein Profile ◽

Protein Electrophoresis ◽

Serum Amyloid ◽

Serum Protein Electrophoresis ◽

C Reactive Protein ◽

Reactive Protein ◽

Amyloid A ◽

Serum Protein Profile

Serum proteins are involved in the regulation of inflammation, and therefore, serum protein profiling provides important insights in diverse inflammatory reactions. Accordingly, concentrations of single APPs, such as the C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), and haptoglobin (Hp), have been described as indicators of inflammatory response in canine pyometra. However, there is little information regarding the overall serum protein profile obtained by SPE in canine pyometra. The present study was thus aimed to identify changes in the serum protein profile to monitor inflammation in dogs with pyometra using serum protein electrophoresis (SPE), in addition to the analysis of the concentration of single acute phase proteins (APPs). By SPE analysis, decreased levels of albumin and elevated levels of α2-globulin and β-globulin were noted in dogs with pyometra. In addition, the concentration of APPs, including the C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), and haptoglobin (Hp), were also elevated in dogs with pyometra. The present study provides fundamental data for inflammatory indicators of canine pyometra.

Download Full-text

Amyloid deposition in granuloma of tuberculosis patients: A pilot study

10.1101/2021.02.08.21250526 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Shreya Ghosh ◽

Akansha Garg ◽

Chayanika Kala ◽

Ashwani Kumar Thakur

Keyword(s):

Serum Amyloid A ◽

Amyloid Deposition ◽

Serum Amyloid ◽

Secondary Amyloidosis ◽

Amyloid Formation ◽

Tuberculosis Patients ◽

Amyloid A ◽

Inflammatory Conditions ◽

Amyloid Deposits ◽

Serum Amyloid A Protein

AbstractThe formation of granuloma is one of the characteristic feature of tuberculosis. Besides, rise in the concentration of acute phase response proteins mainly serum amyloid A is the indicator for chronic inflammation associated with tuberculosis. Serum amyloid A drives secondary amyloidosis in tuberculosis and other chronic inflammatory conditions. The linkage between serum amyloid A (SAA) protein and amyloid deposition site is not well understood in tuberculosis and other chronic inflammatory conditions. We hypothesized that granuloma could be a potential site for amyloid deposition because of the presence of serum amyloid A protein and proteases that cleave SAA and trigger amyloid formation. Based on this hypothesis, for the first time we have shown the presence of amyloid deposits in the granuloma of tuberculosis patients using the gold standard, Congo red dye staining.

Download Full-text

Serum amyloid A and plasma protein electrophoresis fractions in farmed white-tailed deer

Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation ◽

10.1177/1040638719836150 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

pp. 458-462

Author(s):

Carolyn Cray ◽

Roxanne I. Knibb ◽

Jeffrey R. Knibb

Keyword(s):

Plasma Protein ◽

Serum Amyloid A ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Clinical Pathology ◽

Reference Interval ◽

Protein Electrophoresis ◽

Serum Amyloid ◽

Amyloid A ◽

Automated Method ◽

Robust Statistical Method

Tools to measure the acute-phase response have been utilized widely in veterinary medicine. Evaluation by plasma protein electrophoresis (PPEP) has become an increasingly common assay in veterinary clinical pathology. Commercial reagents for serum amyloid A (SAA) have been validated for use in a variety of wildlife species. We analyzed samples from 29 healthy fawns and 60 healthy adult farmed white-tailed deer (WTD; Odocoileus virginianus) using an automated assay for SAA and a semi-automated method for PPEP. The robust statistical method for reference interval generation was used. SAA levels in fawns (0.1–26 mg/L) were found to be significantly higher than those in adults (0.1–5 mg/L, p < 0.01). The mean total protein was significantly lower in fawns (48 ± 10 g/L, p < 0.01) than in adults (73 ±5 g/L). The albumin-to-globulin ratio was also lower in fawns (0.56 ± 0.14) than in adults (1.25 ± 0.19, p < 0.01). Changes in SAA levels were observed in a variety of clinically abnormal animals. The combined use of the automated and semi-automated assays in our study may provide an additional valuable assessment tool in the care of captive WTD populations, for research studies, and for monitoring free-ranging animals.

Download Full-text

Measurement of Plasma Resistin Concentrations in Horses with Metabolic and Inflammatory Disorders

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani12010077 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 77

Author(s):

Beatriz Fuentes-Romero ◽

Alberto Muñoz-Prieto ◽

José J. Cerón ◽

María Martín-Cuervo ◽

Manuel Iglesias-García ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Basal Insulin ◽

Serum Amyloid A ◽

Expression Patterns ◽

Inflammatory Cells ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Amyloid A ◽

Inflammatory Conditions ◽

Inflammatory Status ◽

Developed World

Obesity and its associated complications, such as metabolic syndrome, are an increasing problem in both humans and horses in the developed world. The expression patterns of resistin differ considerably between species. In rodents, resistin is expressed by adipocytes and is related to obesity and ID. In humans, resistin is predominantly produced by inflammatory cells, and resistin concentrations do not reflect the degree of obesity, although they may predict cardiovascular outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of resistin and its relationship with ID and selected indicators of inflammation in horses. Seventy-two horses, included in one of the four following groups, were studied: healthy controls (C, n = 14), horses with inflammatory conditions (I, n = 21), horses with mild ID (ID1, n = 18), and horses with severe ID (ID2, n = 19). Plasma resistin concentrations were significantly different between groups and the higher values were recorded in the I and ID2 groups (C: 2.38 ± 1.69 ng/mL; I: 6.85 ± 8.38 ng/mL; ID1: 2.41 ± 2.70 ng/mL; ID2: 4.49 ± 3.08 ng/mL). Plasma resistin was not correlated with basal insulin concentrations. A significant (r = 0.336, p = 0.002) correlation was found between resistin and serum amyloid A. Our results show that, as is the case in humans, plasma resistin concentrations in horses are predominantly related to inflammatory conditions and not to ID. Horses with severe ID showed an elevation in resistin that may be secondary to the inflammatory status associated with metabolic syndrome.

Download Full-text

Serum Amyloid A Level in Egyptian Children with Familial Mediterranean Fever

International Journal of Rheumatology ◽

10.1155/2016/7354018 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Hala M. Lofty ◽

Huda Marzouk ◽

Yomna Farag ◽

Mohammad Nabih ◽

Iman A. S. Khalifa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Familial Mediterranean Fever ◽

Serum Amyloid A ◽

Acute Phase Reactant ◽

Serum Amyloid ◽

Amyloid A ◽

Inflammatory Conditions ◽

Phase Reactant ◽

Egyptian Children ◽

Mediterranean Fever ◽

Colchicine Therapy

Background and Objectives. SAA is an acute-phase reactant detected during an FMF attack or other inflammatory conditions. High SAA levels may increase the risk of amyloidosis. The aim of the study is to measure the serum amyloid A (SAA) level in a group of Egyptian children with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and study its various correlates, if any.Methods. The study enrolled seventy-one children with FMF.Results. SAA level was high in 78.9% of the studied patients with a mean of81.62±31.6 mg/L, and CRP was positive in 31% of patients. There was no significant releation between SAA level and any demographic or clinical manifestation. High SAA was more frequent in V726A allele (16.9%) followed by M694V allele (12.3%). Elevated SAA levels were more frequent in patients on low colchicine doses. Forty-five percent (45%) of patients have low adherence to colchicine therapy.Interpretation and Conclusion. High SAA levels were detected two weeks after last FMF attack in a large percentage of Egyptian FMF children. This indicates that subclinical inflammation continues during attack-free periods, and SAA could be used as a marker of it.

Download Full-text

Proteomic Profiles of Exosomes of Septic Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department Compared to Healthy Controls

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm9092930 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (9) ◽

pp. 2930

Author(s):

Daniel C. Morris ◽

Anja K. Jaehne ◽

Michael Chopp ◽

Zhanggang Zhang ◽

Laila Poisson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Acute Phase ◽

Serum Amyloid A ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Differential Expression Analysis ◽

Serum Amyloid ◽

Care Hospital ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Blood Draw ◽

Amyloid A

Background: Septic Emergency Department (ED) patients provide a unique opportunity to investigate early sepsis. Recent work focuses on exosomes, nanoparticle-sized lipid vesicles (30–130 nm) that are released into the bloodstream to transfer its contents (RNA, miRNA, DNA, protein) to other cells. Little is known about how early changes related to exosomes may contribute to the dysregulated inflammatory septic response that leads to multi-organ dysfunction. We aimed to evaluate proteomic profiles of plasma derived exosomes obtained from septic ED patients and healthy controls. Methods: This is a prospective observational pilot study evaluating a plasma proteomic exosome profile at an urban tertiary care hospital ED using a single venipuncture blood draw, collecting 40 cc Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) blood. Measurements: We recruited seven patients in the ED within 6 h of their presentation and five healthy controls. Plasma exosomes were isolated using the Invitrogen Total Exosome Isolation Kit. Exosome proteomic profiles were analyzed using fusion mass spectroscopy and Proteome Discoverer. Principal component analysis (PCA) and differential expression analysis (DEA) for sepsis versus control was performed. Results: PCA of 261 proteins demonstrated septic patients and healthy controls were distributed in two groups. DEA revealed that 62 (23.8%) proteins differed between the exosomes of septic patients and healthy controls, p-value < 0.05. Adjustments using the False Discovery Rate (FDR) showed 23 proteins remained significantly different (FDR < 0.05) between sepsis and controls. Septic patients and controls were classified into two distinct groups by hierarchical clustering using the 62 nominally DE proteins. After adjustment multiple comparisons, three acute phase proteins remained significantly different between patients and controls: Serum amyloid A-1, C-reactive protein and Serum Amyloid A-2. Inflammatory response proteins immunoglobulin heavy constant Δ and Fc-fragment of IgG binding protein were increased. Conclusion: Exosome proteomic profiles of septic ED patients differ from their healthy counterparts with regard to acute phase response and inflammation.

Download Full-text

The serum protein electrophoretic pattern and acute phase protein concentrations in calves with chronic respiratory diseases

Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences ◽

10.2478/pjvs-2013-0052 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 385-386 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Cs. Tóthová ◽

O. Nagy ◽

G. Kováč

Keyword(s):

Serum Protein ◽

Acute Phase ◽

Respiratory Diseases ◽

Serum Amyloid A ◽

Electrophoretic Pattern ◽

Serum Amyloid ◽

Control Group ◽

Chronic Respiratory Diseases ◽

Amyloid A ◽

Protein Electrophoretic Pattern

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum protein electrophoretic pattern and the concentrations of acute phase proteins (haptoglobin, serum amyloid A, and fibrinogen) in 28 calves with clinical signs of chronic respiratory diseases and 36 healthy calves as a control group. In sick calves we found significantly higher serum concentrations of total proteins (P<0.001), lower concentrations of albumin (P<0.001) and marked shift in the concentrations of the most of protein fractions with significantly higher values of α1-, β1-, β2-, and γ-globulins (P<0.001 and P<0.01). The affected calves had significantly higher values of haptoglobin, serum amyloid A, and fibrinogen as well (P<0.05, P<0.001 and P<0.001, respectively).

Download Full-text