Evaluation of heart fatty acid-binding protein as a biomarker for canine leishmaniosis

Abstract

Introduction: Myocarditis is observed in Canine leishmaniosis (CanL). Heart fatty acid-binding protein (HFABP) is a biomarker or myocardial damage. Aims: To compare HFABP concentration (HFABPc) in healthy dogs and dogs at different stages of CanL and to evaluate the correlation of this biomarker with several clinical variables. Materials,methods and results: 31 dogs diagnosed with CanL and 10 healthy dogs. HFABPc was not statistically different among groups of dogs at different LeishVet stages of CanL or in groups with severe vs mild to moderate serology titres. In 70% of CanL dogs, HFABPc was within the 95% CI limits of the mean of normal dogs. A moderate negative correlation with globulin (r=-0.519;P=0.03) and HCT (r=-0.538;P=0.02) was observed. No other significant correlation (P>0.05) was observed with any of the studied variables. Limitations: Prospective case-control study. Type I and Type II statistical errors can occur. Conclusion: HFABPc is not consistently elevated in dogs with CanL and is not associated with the severity of the disease, or most echocardiographic or laboratorial diagnostic variables studied. The correlation with globulin and HCT was not strong and not considered clinically significant. HFABP does not appear to be a good biomarker in CanL discouraging further research or clinical use of this biomarker in CanL.