Evaluation of three different point-of-care tests for quantitative measurement of canine C-reactive protein.

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) is a major acute phase protein in both people and dogs.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the precision and accuracy of 3 different point-of-care tests (POCT) for canine CRP (cCRP) in comparison to a standard ELISA test, and to assess storage stability.

Material And Methods: Blood samples were collected from 125 dogs (23 healthy and 102 diseased).

Differentiating between analytical and diagnostic performance evaluation with a focus on the method comparison study and identification of bias.

Prior to introduction of a new method to the diagnostic laboratory, analytical performance must be validated to ensure operation within the manufacturer's specifications and/or within predetermined quality requirements. In addition, the new method may require diagnostic performance assessment to ensure it differentiates between diseased and nondiseased individuals as intended. These 2 phases of assessment, while complementary, are not equivalent and require a different set of experiments, statistical analyses, and interpretation.

Evaluation of three automated human immunoturbidimetric assays for the detection of C-reactive protein in dogs.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a major, acute-phase protein in dogs; however, there is a need for automated assays to ensure in-time patient monitoring. Three automated immunoturbidimetric assays (Randox, Thermo, and Wako) developed for human beings were evaluated for their ability to detect canine CRP, including method validation, evaluation of diagnostic use, and establishment of exploratory reference intervals. Sera from 36 healthy dogs and 82 diseased dogs were included for method comparison with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA; Tridelta) serving as the reference method.

Estimation of intestinal permeability in healthy dogs using the contrast medium iohexol.

Background: Iohexol is a nonradioactive marker that has been used successfully to test intestinal permeability in humans with inflammatory bowel disease. There is evidence in dogs that iohexol shares a similar permeability pathway as (51)chromium-EDTA, the gold standard marker.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine an optimal oral iohexol dosage for an intestinal permeability serum test (IPST) and to use the test to estimate intestinal permeability in healthy dogs.