Case Study : cCRP Clinical Application

 

cCRP (Canine C-Reactive Protein) is the APP (Acute Phase Protein) in dogs' blood, used to assess systemic responses caused by the immune system. It is the highly sensitive marker of systemic inflammation but no specificity. When systemic inflammation occurs, cCRP reaction is more rapid than leukocytes (WBCs) ; therefore, cCRP is very suitable for diagnosing and monitoring the inflammation.  ▼Figure 1.  Activation of Canine C-Reaction Protein (cCRP)

The following diseases that increase cCRP.

．Surgical trauma ．Rheumatoid arthritis ．Polyarthritis ．Intestinal obstruction ．Inflammatory bowel disease ．Lymphoma ．Acute pancreatitis ．Pyometra ．Pneumonia

．E. coli endotoxaemia ．Babesiosis ．Bordetella bronchiseptica ．Ehrlichia canis infection ．Leishmaniosis ．Leptospirosis ．Parvovirus infection ．Trypanosomiasis ．Bacterial enteritis

 

♦ Case 1 Canine: 8 years old, Beagle Diagnosis: (1) Atopy                    (2) Bile duct dilatation and biliary sludge
▼Table 1. The levels of CRP in case 1 Item Preoperative  D2 D3 D4 WBC (/μL)  30,020 39,120 - 42,080 SAA (μg/mL)    52.4 21.7 15.7 5.6

 

♦ Case 2 Canine: 1 years old, Golden Retriever Diagnosis: (1) Vomiting 5 days ago                    (2) Poor spirit and appetite                    (3) Pain in the left anterior abdominal cavity                    (4) Parenchymal mass on palpation of anterior abdominal                          cavity
▼Table 2. The levels of CRP in case 2     Rev1 Rev2     Item Preoperative D3 D5 D6 D8 WBC (/μL)  30,100 29,020 21,930 31,820 25,660 SAA (μg/mL)      42.6 46.5 62 23

 

♦ Case 3 Canine: 15 years old, Poodle Diagnosis: (1) Found a lump under the ear 6 months ago                    (2) No improvement with antibiotic treatment                         in another hospital                    (3) FNA: Cerumen Adenoma                    (4) US: Enlarged left adrenal gland
▼Table 3. The levels of CRP in case 3 Item Preoperative D2 D3 D6 D10 D17 D27 WBC (/μL)  38,750 - 54,900 38,820 15,530 15,810 13,220 SAA (μg/mL)    25.3 3 21.7 30.7 44.7 81.6 6.7

♦ Conclusion
1. Applicable to acute and severe cases.
   →Severe and systemic infection
2. CRP as a prognostic assessment tool.
   →Before surgery, 24 hours after surgery (expected peak) and 48 hours (tracking)
3. CRP as a monitoring tool.
   →Effects of antibiotics and steroids

♦ Reference:
This case study was conducted by Associate Professor Cheng-Shu Chung, Director of Small Animal Surgery, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology. cCRP levels in cases here were measured by AmiShield veterinary chemistry analyzer and the exclusive cCRP discs.