Steroid responsive meningitis-arteritis: A prospective study of potential disease markers, prednisolone treatment, and long-term outcome in 20 dogs (2006-2008)

Abstract

Background: Previous multidrug studies have identified the value of prednisolone in treating steroid responsive meningitisarteritis (SRMA) and the potential value of acute phase proteins (APPs) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) in diagnosis and monitoring. Hypothesis: (1) Prednisolone monotherapy is a successful immunosuppressive modality in the treatment of SRMA; (2) protein markers are useful in identifying the potential for relapse. Animals: Twenty client-owned dogs with SRMA presented to the University of Glasgow Small Animal Hospital between May 2006 and May 2008. Methods: A prospective, observational study: CBC, biochemistry, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analyses were performed. C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid-A, α-1-acid glycoprotein, and haptoglobin (Hp) were assessed in the serum. IgA concentrations were determined in the serum and CSF. Results: Clinical resolution of SRMA was achieved in all 20 dogs. Serum CRP concentration remained increased at remission in 16/20 dogs whereas CSF cytology was within normal limits in 20/20 dogs. Serum APPs decreased significantly on treatment (P