Original Article

Serum C-reactive protein concentrations in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy

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Abstract

Inflammatory reactions in dogs are associated with systemic changes in serum, called the acute phase response; changes in the concentration of acute phase proteins in the serum take place. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a positive acute phase protein, which increases during inflammation. The role of inflammation in epilepsy remains unclear. In this study, the inflammatory response in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy (IE) was investigated. The aims of the study were: 1. to measure serum CRP concentrations in dogs with IE and in healthy dogs, 2. to measure serum CRP concentrations in dogs with acute cluster seizures and in dogs with isolated seizures and 3. to observe the evolution of serum CRP concentrations in time after the last seizure. This study showed no significant differences in serum CRP concentrations between dogs with IE (7.8 mg/l) and dogs of the control group (8.3 mg/l). Furthermore, the results showed higher mean serum CRP concentrations in dogs with IE exhibiting cluster seizures (11,8 mg/l) than in dogs with isolated seizures (5.7 mg/l). However, these results were not statistically significant (P = 0,077). Finally, no statistically significant decrease in serum CRP concentrations was seen with time after the last epileptic seizure in dogs with IE (P = 0,077).

How to Cite:

Segers, E. & Martlé, V. & Piepers, S. & Van Ham, L. & Bhatti, S., (2017) “Serum C-reactive protein concentrations in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy”, Vlaams Diergeneeskundig Tijdschrift 86(2), 79-83. doi: https://doi.org/10.21825/vdt.v86i2.16292