The cardiac biomarkers troponin I and CK-MB in nonpregnant and pregnant goats, goats with normal birth, goats with prolonged birth, and goats with pregnancy toxemia

Evaluation of the Use of Different Sensitive Cardiac Biomarkers in Determining Myocardial Damage in Cows With Subclinical and Clinical Ketoses

BACKGROUND

It is unclear whether the increase in BHBA concentration damages the myocardium in ketotic cows. Measurement of troponin is the gold standard in myocardial injury.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to explore the impact of elevated β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) concentrations on myocardial damage in cows diagnosed with subclinical ketosis (SCK) and clinical ketosis (CK). Additionally, the study aimed to elucidate the relationship between heart-type fatty acid-binding protein 3 (H-FABP 3) and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) concentrations, as well as their correlation with various biochemical parameters that assess myocardial and metabolic health.

METHODS

The animal material used in this study consisted of 30 postpartum Holstein cows, aged between 2 and 5 years. The study group comprised 10 cows with SCK, 10 with CK and 10 cows in the control group (CG).

RESULTS

The concentration of hs-cTnI in cows with CK was significantly higher compared to both the CG (p < 0.005) and the SCK group (p < 0.019). Similarly, the H-FABP 3 concentration in the CK and SCK groups was significantly elevated compared to the CG (p < 0.001). The creatinine kinase myocardial band (CK-MB) levels were significantly higher in cows with CK compared to the CG (p < 0.010). Furthermore, the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels in the CK group were significantly elevated compared to the CG (p < 0.011). A significant positive correlation was observed between BHBA concentration and the levels of both hs-cTnI and H-FABP 3 in ketotic cows. Additionally, significant correlations were found between various biochemical parameters (alanine aminotransferase [ALT], AST, CK-MB and phosphorus) and the concentrations of H-FABP 3 and hs-cTnI.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that high BHBA concentrations in ketosis cows may indirectly cause myocardial damage. However, future studies need to investigate the relationship between oxidative stress and changes in antioxidant concentrations and troponin.

Comparison of Two Commercially Available Immunoassays for the Measurement of Bovine Cardiac Troponin I in Cattle With Induced Myocardial Injury

Background: Multiple cardiac troponin I (cTnI) immunoassays are commercially available. Overall, assays have not been standardized, and inter-assay differences in the detection of the analyte cardiac troponin I can be clinically relevant.

Objective: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of the commercially available Abbott i-STAT®1 cTnI immunoassay (i-STAT) and the previously validated ADVIA Centaur TnI-Ultra immunoassay (Centaur) in cattle.

Hypothesis: There will be significant differences in bovine serum cTnI results measured by the Centaur and i-STAT methods.

Animals: Ten dairy cows with experimentally induced myocardial injury due to monensin administration. Thirty apparently healthy dairy cows with no history of monensin exposure served as controls.

Methods: Blood was collected at various time points after administration of a single dose of monensin (20 to 50 mg/kg) via orogastric tube. A total of 112 blood samples were collected. Cardiac TnI concentration was analyzed with the two methods and the association between methods analyzed via linear regression. Bland-Altman analysis to evaluate agreement between methods was performed on samples divided into groups (cTnI < 1.0 ng/mL and cTnI ≥ 1.0 ng/mL).

Results: Analyzer results were linearly correlated with each other (R² = 0.931). Samples with cTnI concentrations <1.0 ng/mL had a bias of −0.13 ± 0.20 ng/mL and samples with cTnI concentrations >1.0 ng/mL had a bias of −9.81 ± 13.26 ng/mL.

Conclusions and clinical importance: The results of this study reveal that cTnI concentrations determined with the i-STAT are systematically lower compared to the concentrations determined by the Centaur.

Changes in cardiac biomarkers in goats naturally affected by pregnancy toxemia

Pregnancy toxemia (PT) is considered one of the most common metabolic diseases with high impact on the production of small ruminants. The objective of this study was investigate possible myocardial damage in goats affected with PT by the determination of serum myocardial biomarkers CK-MB and cTnI. A total of 44 goats affected with PT, and 10 apparently healthy goats (control group or CG) were used in the study. In goats with PT, the serum concentrations of cTnI (0.43 ng/mL) were significantly higher than that in CG goats (0.06 ng/mL). Although CK-MB showed no significant difference, it was approximately three times higher in animals with PT. The serum concentrations of insulin were significantly lower in PT goats (5.03 ppmol/L) compared to CG goats (10.66 pmol/L). The serum concentrations of cortisol in PT goats (155.41 nmol/L) were significantly higher than that in CG goats (36.58 nmol/L). Results of this study indicate that a clinically significant myocardial damage might occur in goats affected with PT leading to significant elevations in values of cTnI and CK-MB. Therefore, these parameters could be used as a potential prognostic indicator in goats affected with this important disease.

Evaluation of heart rate variability and behavior of electrocardiographic parameters in dogs affected by chronic Monocytic Ehrlichiosis

Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis (CME) is a systemic disease prevalent in the entire world caused by the obligate intracellular bacteria Ehrlichia canis. The occurrence of myocarditis with a high prevalence of arrhythmias in dogs affected by this disease in the cytopenic phase has already been proven. This study aims to evaluate the concentrations of CK MB, cTnI and NT-proBNP in dogs affected by Ehrlichia canis in the chronic phase since the intense stimulation of the immune system can lead to myocarditis; to evaluate if the condition can lead to arrhythmic events and, if so, define their frequency and classification through conventional and ambulatory electrocardiogram tests (Holter method) for a period of 24 hours; to analyze heart rate variability in the time domain and whether the condition can lead to autonomic imbalance; and to determine the survival rate of affected dogs, identifying possible risk factors for mortality at this stage of the disease. For this purposes, we evaluated clinical, hematological and biochemical data, as well as the concentrations of cardiac biomarkers Creatine Kinase-MB (CK MB), Cardiac Troponin I (cTnI) and N-terminal pro-peptide natriuretic type B (NT-proBNP). We also analyzed conventional and ambulatory electrocardiography (24-hour Holter) and heart rate variability (HRV) in 20 dogs afflicted by cytopenic CME in the chronic phase of the disease (G1) and compared the results with a control group comprised of ten healthy dogs (G2). G1 was monitored during the treatment for 28 days, during which eight (8) of the 20 infected dogs died (40%). Anorexia, vomiting, fatigue, hypoalbuminemia, heart murmurs and increased concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were common clinical signs. The mean concentrations of cTnI and CKMB were significant (0.24 ng / mL ± 0.5, 229 ± 205 IU / mL) in comparison to the control group (0.042 ± 0.07 ng / mL, 126 ± 46.12 IU / mL). No significant differences were observed between NT-proBNP concentrations in G1 (135.46 ± 29.7) and G2 (138.28 ± 19.77). Nine of the twenty dogs (45%) presented a high frequency of arrhythmias during 24-hour recording, ranging from first and second-degree atrioventricular block, ventricular and supraventricular ectopic events and sinus tachycardia. No sinus pause was observed. One dog had 120 episodes of unsustained ventricular tachycardia and two episodes of sustained ventricular tachycardia. The short-term and long-term HRV data, represented by SDNN (ms), SDANN (ms) and pnn50 (%) were also significant lower (83 ± 65, 56.05 ± 37.3 and 14.56 ± 20, respectively) in comparison to the healthy animals (268 ± 74.6, 168.3 ± 39.14 and 55.87 ± 12.8, respectively). These results suggest that cytopenic CME is characterized by an arrhythmogenic component and intense stimulation of the sympathetic autonomic nervous system in the heart, reflecting an imbalance in the activity of the ANS.

The diagnostic value of two commercially available human cTnI assays in goat kids with myocarditis

BACKGROUND

Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is a peripheral blood marker for myocardial damage. Because of the unavailability of goat-specific cTnI assays human cTnI assays may be validated for detection of myocarditis in goat kids.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the study was to evaluate 2 commercially available human cTnI assays in goat kids with myocardial damage, and to determine the cTnI expression in cardiac muscle.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Plasma cTnI concentrations were measured in healthy goat kids (n = 7) and goat kids with myocardial damage (n = 8) using the Beckman Coulter Access Accu TnI and the Biomérieux Vidas Ultra. The results were correlated with gross necropsy and histopathologic findings, and cTnI immunhistochemistry in cardiac tissue.

RESULTS

Macro- and microscopic findings confirmed myocardial damage in the myocarditis group. Mean plasma cTnI concentration was significantly higher in the myocarditis group than in the healthy control group (104.82 vs 0.02 ng/mL). The overall mean plasma cTnI concentration measured by Biomérieux Vidas Ultra (61.75 ng/mL, 95% CI: 19.55-103.95) was comparable to the mean measured by Beckman Coulter Access Accu TnI (50.08 ng/mL, 95% CI: 24.11-76.06), and cTnI concentrations measured by these assays were highly correlated (r = .977) with a -6.2% bias. Both assays were precise and accurate.

CONCLUSION

The human-specific Beckman Coulter Access Accu TnI and the Biomérieux Vidas Ultra can be used for diagnostic confirmation of myocardial damage in caprine medicine.

Definition of prepartum hyperketonemia in dairy goats

A prospective cohort study was conducted on 1,081 dairy goats from 10 commercial herds in Québec (Canada) to define prepartum hyperketonemia based on optimal blood β-hydroxybutyrate acid threshold values for the early prediction of pregnancy toxemia (PT) and mortality in late-gestation dairy goats. All pregnant goats had blood sampled weekly during the last 5wk of pregnancy. The blood was analyzed directly on the farm for β-hydroxybutyrate acid quantification using a Precision Xtra meter (Abbott Diabetes Care, Saint-Laurent, QC, Canada). Body condition scores on the lumbar region and sternum were noted. Each goat was classified as being at low (n=973) or high risk (n=108) of having PT by producers based on a standardized definition. The optimal threshold for predicting a PT diagnosis or mortality for each week before kidding was determined based on the highest sum of sensitivity and specificity. The association between hyperketonemia and subsequent PT was tested using a multivariable logistic regression model considering hyperketonemia at wk 4 prepartum, litter size, and body condition score at wk 4 prepartum as covariates, and herd and parturition cohort as random effects. The association between mortality and hyperketonemia was also tested using a logistic regression model accounting for the presence or absence of treatment during the last month of pregnancy. The hyperketonemia definition based on PT varied between ≥0.4 and ≥0.9mmol/L during the last 5wk prepartum. Goats affected by hyperketonemia at wk 4 prepartum and with a large litter size (≥3 fetuses) had 2.1 and 40.5 times the odds, respectively, of subsequent PT than other goats. Hyperketonemia definitions based on mortality varied between ≥0.6 and ≥1.4mmol/L during the last 4wk prepartum, and was ≥1.7mmol/L during the first week postpartum. Goats affected by hyperketonemia and treated by producers had 3.4 and 11.8 times the odds, respectively, of subsequent mortality than did other goats. These results showed that prepartum hyperketonemia could be defined in dairy goats using subsequent risks of PT or mortality during the last month of pregnancy.

Cardiac troponin I in healthy newborn goat kids and in goat kids with cardiac nutritional muscular dystrophy

This study was designed to establish serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentrations in healthy newborn goat kids and in those with cardiac nutritional muscular dystrophy (NMD). Thirty-five single full-term newborn goat kids (20 males and 15 females; age: 6.1 ± 3.5 h; weight 3.4 ± 0.68 kg), together with their respective mothers (Group 1; G1) were enrolled consecutively. Thirty-one goat kids (age: 9.5 ± 4.3 days) with NMD, together with 20 control goat kids (age: 7.8 ± 4.3 days) were also included in this study (Group 2; G2). Blood samples were collected from G1 within 12 h of birth and from G2 on admission. Serum samples were collected and analysed for cTnI. In G1, the mean serum concentration of cTnI in goat kids was 0.290 ± 0.37 ng/mL, with no statistically significant difference between male and female kids (P = 0.61). The mean cTnI concentration in the does was 0.017 ± 0.04, ng/mL. Serum values of cTnI in the goat kids and in their respective mothers differed significantly (P = 0.0001). In G2, the mean cTnI concentration was 0.02 ± 0.05 ng/mL in the control and 11.18 ± 20.07 ng/mL in the diseased goat kids, with a statistically significant difference between diseased and control goat kids (P = 0.017). Serum concentrations of cTnI are higher in goat kids than in their respective mothers. In conclusion, the cTnI assay appears to be a sensitive and specific marker for myocardial injury in goat kids.

The effect of tick infestation on the serum concentrations of the cardiac biomarker troponin I, acid-base balance and haematobiochemical profiles in camels (Camelus dromedarius)

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the serum concentration of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) in camels with tick infestation as a marker of potential myocardial injury and its prognostication. The effects of acid-base and electrolyte balance and haematobiochemical profiles were also investigated. Twenty-three camels (Camelus dromedarius) with tick infestation and suffering from anorexia, incoordination of movement, unsteady gait, recumbency, opisthotonus, anaemia and reduced production were examined. Ticks were visible, deeply embedded in the skin over the whole body, especially under the neck and around the udder or testis. Of the camels, 15 recovered after treatment and 8 did not. Blood samples were collected from the diseased camels on the day of admission to our clinic. Blood samples were also collected from 12 healthy camels and were used as controls. The mean serum concentration of cTnI in the camels with tick infestation was 1.7 ± 1.6 ng/ml compared to 0.03 ± 0.02 ng/ml in the controls. The mean serum concentration of cTnI in those camels that recovered was 0.36 ± 0.53 ng/ml compared to 3.0 ± 1.1 ng/ml in the camels that did not. Venous blood gas alterations included an increase in partial pressure of carbon dioxide and decreases in partial pressure of oxygen and oxygen saturation. Haematological parameters involved decreases of red blood cells, haemoglobin and haematocrit and increases in the mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration. Biochemical parameters included significant elevations in the serum activity of aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase and alkaline phosphates. Other biochemical alterations observed were decreases in total protein and albumin and increases in globulin and glucose concentrations. In conclusion, the data of this study suggest the possibility of using cTnI as a biomarker for cardiac injury in camels with tick infestation and for the prognosis of the outcome in the treated animals. Generally, values above 1.0 ng/ml were considered bad prognostic indicators.

Effect of racing on the serum concentrations of cardiac troponin I and creatine kinase myocardial band in racing camels (Camelus dromedarius)

This study was designed to investigate the effect of racing on the serum concentrations of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and creatine kinase myocardial (CK-MB) in healthy racing camels (Camelus dromedarius). Twenty-three racing camels scheduled for a 5 km race were investigated in this study. From each camel, 3 blood samples were collected: 24 h before racing (T0), within 2 h after the race (T1) and 24 h post-race (T2). Following the 5 km race, 91.3 % of the racing camels had increases in serum cTnI concentrations, while concentrations remained unchanged in 8.7 %. The cTnI concentration (median 0.06 ng/mL; range, 0.03-0.15 ng/mL) was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than the pre-race values (median 0.04 ng/mL; range, 0.01-0.07 ng/mL). Twenty-four hours post-race, the cTnI concentrations had returned very nearly to their pre-race values (median 0.04 ng/mL; range, 0.00-0.09 ng/mL) and were not significantly different (P = 0.35) from the pre-race values. Following the 5 km race, increases in CK-MB mass were seen in 17.4 % of the camels, with no changes in 4.3 % and decreases in 78.3 %. The CK-MB mass (median 0.41 ng/mL; range, 0.19-0.60 ng/mL) did not differ significantly (P = 0.84) when compared to the pre-race values (median 0.42 ng/mL; range, 0.32-0.55 ng/mL). Twenty-four hours post-race, the CK-MB mass concentrations (median 0.41 ng/mL; range, 0.15-0.55 ng/mL) did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) compared to pre-race or immediate post-race values. Resting cTnI concentrations in the racing camels were initially low, but increased above the baseline level in most of the camels immediately after racing, and returned to pre-race values within the 24-h post-race period. CK-MB is a less sensitive biomarker for myocardial activity as compared with cTnI. These findings could be of importance when evaluating racing camels with suspected cardiac disease after recent hard exercise.