@article{GebhardtHirschbergerRauetal.2009,
  author    = {Gebhardt, Constance and Hirschberger, Johannes and Rau, Stefanie and Arndt, Gisela and Krainer, Karen and Schweigert, Florian J. and Brunnberg, Leo and Kaspers, Bernd and Kohn, Barbara},
  title     = {Use of C-reactive protein to predict outcome in dogs with systemic inflammatory response syndrome or sepsis},
  issn      = {1479-3261},
  doi       = {10.1111/j.1476-4431.2009.00462.x},
  year      = {2009},
  abstract  = {Background There is a high mortality rate in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) or sepsis. Therefore, an early diagnosis and prognostic assessment is important for optimal therapeutic intervention. The objective of the study was to evaluate if baseline values and changes in serum C-reactive protein (CRP) might predict survival in dogs with SIRS and sepsis. Design Prospective study; July 2004 to July 2005. Setting Small Animal Clinic, Berlin, Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Munich. Animals Sixty-one dogs. Measurements and Main Results For the CRP analysis blood was drawn on day 0, 1, and 2; CRP was measured using a commercial ELISA test kit. Thirteen dogs suffered from nonseptic SIRS and 48 dogs from sepsis. The 14-day survival rate was 61\% (69\% nonseptic SIRS, 58\% sepsis). Serum CRP was higher in sick dogs compared with controls (P < 0.001). Over the 3-day period surviving dogs (n=31) displayed a significantly greater decrease in CRP than nonsurvivors (n=10) (P=0.001). No correlation was found between the initial CRP concentrations and the survival rate. The changes in CRP corresponded to the survival rate (P=0.01). Conclusion There was no significant relationship between the survival rate in dogs with nonseptic SIRS or sepsis and the initial serum CRP concentrations. There was a correlation between decreasing CRP concentrations and recovery from disease. However, the changes in CRP concentrations over a 3-day period correctly predicted survival in 94\% of dogs and death in 30\% of the dogs (false positive rate 22\%).},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{GriebschArndtRailaetal.2009,
  author    = {Griebsch, Christine and Arndt, Gisela and Raila, Jens and Schweigert, Florian J. and Kohn, Barbara},
  title     = {C-reactive protein concentration in dogs with primary immune-mediated hemolytic anemia},
  issn      = {0275-6382},
  doi       = {10.1111/j.1939-165X.2009.00146.x},
  year      = {2009},
  abstract  = {Background Canine primary immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) is associated with a high-mortality rate. C- reactive protein (CRP) is the most important acute-phase protein in dogs and may have value as a marker of prognosis or response to treatment in IMHA. Objective The objectives of this study were to evaluate serum CRP concentration in dogs with primary IMHA at presentation and during treatment, to assess potential differences based on survival time, and to compare CRP with other laboratory parameters of inflammation and prognosis. Methods Inclusion criteria for primary IMHA were anemia (PCV < 0.30 L/L), a positive Coombs' test or persistent autoagglutination of erythrocytes, and the exclusion of underlying diseases by other diagnostic tests. Dogs were divided into 2 groups based on survival: dogs that were still alive 14 days after start of treatment (group 1) and dogs that died or were euthanized before day 14 (group 2). Serum CRP concentration, a CBC, and a biochemistry profile were performed on days 0, 3, 8, and 14. Serum CRP also was determined in 25 clinically healthy dogs. Results CRP concentration in the 25 clinically healthy dogs ranged from 0- 8.9 mu g/mL (median 2.2 mu g/mL). Thirty dogs were diagnosed with primary IMHA, 24 in group 1 and 6 in group 2. On day 0, CRP concentration in dogs in both groups (median 224 mu g/mL) was increased above the reference interval. In group 1 dogs, median CRP concentration was 242 mu g/mL on day 0, 69 mu g/mL on day 3, 35 mu g/mL on day 8, and 2 mu g/mL on day 14. In group 2 dogs, median CRP concentration was 194 mu g/mL on day 0, 119 mu g/mL on day 3, and 41 mu g/mL on day 8; only 1 dog in group 2 survived to day 8. There was a significant correlation between CRP and total WBC concentrations on days 0 and 3 (r=-.598, P=.003). Conclusions Serum CRP concentration was markedly increased in dogs with primary IMHA. CRP concentration did not differ based on patient survival, but might be a marker for long-term monitoring of these patients.},
  language  = {en}
}