Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Pyometra, chronic purulent metritis in metoestrus, is a common disease in intact bitches. About 25% of all bitches in Sweden have contracted the disease before ten years of age. Clinical signs of the disease are varied, and the course may be either slow or acute. The diagnosis is most commonly made by radiographical or ultrasonographical examination of the abdomen in combination with blood biochemical and hematological analyses. The safest and most efficient treatment of pyometra is surgical ovariohysterectomy.

There is room for improvement of both diagnostic tools and possible prognostic indicators for pyometra.

Mast cells are large leucocytes, with granule that contain inflammatory mediators. They are traditionally associated to allergic reactions, but also take part in slower immune-responses, e g against parasites and bacteria. There are several mast cell-related proteins that can be measured in blood.

In this study plasma levels of histamine, serine proteases, endotheline and neuotensine were measured in 15 bitches with pyometra and 6 healthy control bitches. In two of the analyses performed (ELISA for histamine and proteolytic enzyme activity in plasma; S2288 assay) there were significant differences between the two groups . In two other analyses (ELISA for neurotensin and ELISA for endothelin) there were no statistically significant differences observed in the plasma levels measured in the two groups.

The results of this pilot study indicate that mast cells are activated in pyometra in bitches, but further studies are needed to determine future possible clinical use.