Evaluation of assays for quantification of DNA in canine plasma as an indirect marker of NETosis.

Background: Neutrophil extracellular traps (NET), consisting of a filamentous DNA/chromatin-histone scaffold originating from neutrophils are part of the innate immune response, may be released under a variety of inflammatory conditions and are associated with an increased risk for thrombosis.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate a SYTOX green fluorescence assay and a histone-DNA complex (hisDNA) ELISA for quantification of NET-related DNA in canine plasma.

Methods: The influence of variations in blood sample handling on assay results was tested.