Serum protein profiles associated with the physiopathology of neurological syndromes in dogs

Abstract

A study of protein profiles in canine serum by means of the Cellulose Acetate Gel Electrophoresis technique is presented, in order to establish a clinicopathological correlation with infectious, inflammatory and neoplastic diseases of the Central Nervous System (CNS). A comparative study of the protein profiles obtained during the course of canine distemper virus (C.D.V.) viral encephalitis, convulsive syndromes, CNS tumour processes and in clinically healthy animals, as a control group, was carried out. The analysis was focused on the Alpha 2 globulin fraction of the serum electrophoretic proteinogram. A direct relationship was found between variations in relative and absolute concentration of the mentioned protein fraction with the clinical status of patients affected by infectious Distemper virus encephalitis. An increase of the mentioned band was observed in direct relation with the degree of deterioration of the patients. Based on the results obtained, the serum electrophoretic proteinogram is presented as a valuable paraclinical resource for the diagnosis, evolutionary follow-up and prognosis of these Central Nervous System disorders.