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Research article2006Peer reviewedOpen access

Pyometra in bitches induces elevated plasma endotoxin and prostaglandin F2α metabolite levels

Hagman R, Kindahl H, Lagerstedt AS

Abstract

Endotoxemia in bitches with pyometra can cause severe systemic effects directly or via the release of inflammatory, mediators. Plasma endotoxin concentrations were measured in ten bitches suffering from pyometra with moderately to severely deteriorated general condition, and in nine bitches admitted to surgery for non-infectious reasons. Endotoxin samples were taken on five occasions before, during and after surgery. In addition, urine and uterine bacteriology was performed and hematological, blood biochemical parameters, prostaglandin F-2 alpha metabolite 15-ketodihydro-PGF(2 alpha) (PG-metabolite), progesterone and oestradiol (E-2-17 beta) levels were analysed.The results confirm significantly increased plasma levels of endotoxin in bitches with pyometra and support previous reports of endotoxin involvement in the pathogenesis of the disease. Plasma concentrations of PG-metabolite were elevated in pyometra bitches and provide a good indicator of endotoxin release since the concentrations were significantly correlated to the endotoxin levels and many other hematological and chemistry parameters. The gamma-globulin serum protein electrophoresis fraction and analysis of PG-metabolite can be valuable in the diagnosis of endotoxin involvement if a reliable, rapid and cost-effective test for PG-metabolite analysis becomes readily available in the future. Treatment inhibiting prostaglandin biosynthesis and related compounds could be beneficial for bitches suffering from pyometra.

Keywords

bacteria; dogs; endotoxins; endometritis; uterine infection; lipopolysaccharide; prostaglandins; Limulus amoebocyte assay

Published in

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica
2006, Volume: 47, number: 1, pages: 55-67

      SLU Authors

    • Hagman, Ragnvi

      • Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

        • Lagerstedt, Anne-Sofie

          • Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

        Associated SLU-program

        Future Animal Health and Welfare (until Jan 2017)

        UKÄ Subject classification

        Animal and Dairy Science
        Veterinary Science
        Clinical Science

        Publication identifier

        DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1751-0147-47-55

        Permanent link to this page (URI)

        https://res.slu.se/id/publ/10837