Hypovitaminosis D in Dogs with Spirocercosis. (19th August 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rosa, C.T.; Schoeman, J.P.; Berry, J.L.; Mellanby, R.J.; Dvir, E.
• Is Part Of: Journal of veterinary internal medicine. Volume 27:Number 5(2013:Sep./Oct.)
• Page Start: 1159
• Page End: 1164
• Publication Date: 2013-08-19
• Subjects: Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; 636.0896
• DOI: 10.1111/jvim.12161
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0891-6640

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="jvim12161-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="jvim12161-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Spirocercosis in dogs is characterized by esophageal nodules that can undergo neoplastic transformation. Hypovitaminosis D has been associated with neoplasia formation. We hypothesized hypovitaminosis D in neoplastic spirocercosis and that it could be a risk factor for neoplastic transformation.</p> </sec> <sec id="jvim12161-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>To measure and compare vitamin D status, assessed by serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations in non‐neoplastic (n = 25) and neoplastic (n = 26) spirocercosis client‐owned dogs and healthy dogs (n = 24).</p> </sec> <sec id="jvim12161-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Animals</title> <p>Twenty‐five non‐neoplastic dogs, 26 neoplastic dogs, and 24 healthy dogs.</p> </sec> <sec id="jvim12161-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Fifty‐one dogs were randomly selected from 119 dogs diagnosed with spirocercosis presenting to our hospital, and further divided into non‐neoplastic or neoplastic groups. Exclusion criteria included dogs less than 1 year old, with concurrent diseases, received corticosteroids, or treated prophylactically for spirocercosis. Serum 25(OH)D concentration was measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography. Spirocercosis dogs' appetites were graded and compared.</p> </sec> <sec id="jvim12161-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were significantly different among all groups (<italic>P</italic> < .001). 25‐Hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were significantly lower in neoplastic group (median 30.7 nmol/L [range 14.7–62.2]) compared to non‐neoplastic (median 52.7 nmol/L [range 19.1–129.7, <italic>P</italic> < .05]) and healthy groups (median 74.6 nmol/L [range 37.4–130.5, <italic>P</italic> < .005]). 25‐hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were significantly lower in non‐neoplastic spirocercosis dogs compared to healthy ones (<italic>P</italic> < .05). Neoplastic and non‐neoplastic spirocercosis dogs had similar appetite scores (<italic>P</italic> = 1.0). 25‐Hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were not significantly different between dogs with normal (<italic>P</italic> = .087) and abnormal (<italic>P</italic> = .125) appetites within neoplastic and non‐neoplastic spirocercosis groups.</p> </sec> <sec id="jvim12161-sec-0006" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions and Clinical Importance</title> <p>Further studies are warranted to determine potential use of vitamin D treatment in spirocercosis and explore role of hypovitaminosis D in pathogenesis of malignant transformation.</p> </sec> </abstract>