C-reactive protein in the differentiation of pyometra from cystic endometrial hyperplasia/mucometra in dogs

• Published in: The Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association Vol. 40; no. 5; p. 391
• Main Authors: Fransson, Boel A, Karlstam, Erika, Bergstrom, Annika, Lagerstedt, Anne-Sofie, Park, Jean S, Evans, Marc A, Ragle, Claude A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-09-2004
• Subjects: Animals; Biomarkers - analysis; Biomarkers - blood; C-Reactive Protein - analysis; C-Reactive Protein - metabolism; Diagnosis, Differential; Dog Diseases - blood; Dog Diseases - diagnosis; Dogs; Endometrial Hyperplasia - blood; Endometrial Hyperplasia - diagnosis; Endometrial Hyperplasia - veterinary; Female; Predictive Value of Tests; Sensitivity and Specificity; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - analysis; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - blood; Uterine Diseases - blood; Uterine Diseases - diagnosis; Uterine Diseases - veterinary
• ISSN: 1547-3317
• DOI: 10.5326/0400391

Hematological parameters, plasma C-reactive protein (CRP), and tumor necrosis factor alpha were analyzed in 64 dogs with a presumptive diagnosis of pyometra. Final diagnosis (i.e., pyometra or cystic endometrial hyperplasia [CEH]) was determined by histopathology. As a single test, the percentage of band neutrophils had the highest sensitivity in the prediction of pyometra (sensitivity, 94%). The combination of percentage of bands and CRP had the highest sensitivity (97.7%; specificity, 75%) in predicting the presence of pyometra. The most common clinical signs noted in the study were vaginal discharge, polyuria, polydipsia, lethargy, and gastrointestinal signs. A combination of three or more of these clinical signs was significantly associated with pyometra.