Evaluation of Selected Brain Damage Biomarkers in the Determination of Brain Damage in Dogs With Neurological Distemper

Background: Canine distemper is a disease with high morbidity and mortality in domestic and wild carnivores caused by Canine distemper virus (CDV). Respiratory, gastrointestinal, dermatological, ophthalmic, or neurological disorders occur in dogs with canine distemper. CDV replicates in the central nervous system and causes non-purulent encephalomyelitis. This causes damage to the brain and spinal cord. Objectives: The aim of the study was to reveal brain damage caused by the canine distemper virus in dogs using selected brain damage biomarkers and to determine which of these biomarkers are diagnostically significant in detecting brain damage. Methods: Thirty-six six dogs with neurological of distemper and 16 control uninfected dogs were included in the study. Dogs with neurological distemper have nasal discharge, myoclonus of the temporal, chest, back and leg muscles, hyperkeratosis of the tip of the nose and footpad (Hard-pad). The disease was diagnosed by CDV Ag ELISA test and Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. A complete blood count was performed on the blood sample with K-EDTA. Venous blood gas measurement was performed in heparinised blood samples. The concentrations of neuron-specific enolase (NSE), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), creatine kinase BB (CK-BB), adrenomedullin (ADM), activin A (ACTA), immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) were measured in serum using canine-specific commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ELISA kits. Results: Serum NSE, GFAP, CK-BB, IgG, and IgM concentrations in dogs with neurological distemper showed statistically significant increases compared to healthy dogs (p < 0.001), while no statistically significant differences were detected in ADM and ACTA concentrations (p > 0.05). There was a statistically significant increase in the WBC, LYM, and MON counts of dogs with neurological distemper compared to healthy dogs (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Serum NSE, GFAP, CK-BB, IgG and IgM concentrations were found to be significantly increased in dogs with neurological distemper. The results of this study indicate that NSE, GFAP, and CK-BB biomarkers may have diagnostic significance in determining brain damage.