Diagnostic value of C-reactive protein and soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor in canine monocytic ehrlichiosis

Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis is a vector-borne disease that can induce renal failure in dogs. In this study we aimed to describe the potential diagnostic efficiency of CRP and suPAR in dogs infected with E. canis and the association between suPAR and CRP with renal failure. For this purpose, the study consisted of a total of 17 dogs, 8 of infected with E. canis and 9 of healty. For evaluating renal failure, plasma urea-creatinine and UPC were determined and also measurements of plasma CRP and suPAR were analysed with ELISA test kits. Mean CRP, suPAR, urea, creatinine and UPC levels of the infected dogs were significantly higher compared with healthy ones (P 0.01) but the correlation of all parameters with each group was not significant (P 0.05). As to be a result of ROC curve analysis and Youdens index, the cut-off values for diagnosis of ehrlichiosis were identified to be 9.68 mg/L for CRP and 168.2 ng/L for suPAR. Furthermore, the specificity and sensitivity of both markers according as a potential biomarkers cut-off values were determined higher. In conclusion, traditionally CRP and currently suPAR can be considered as potential biomarkers and have a diagnostic significance following inflammation in canine ehrlichiosis.