D-Dimer Level as a Potential Marker of Cutaneous Disease Activity in Canine Leishmaniosis and Demodicosis

Abstract

Biochemical markers for detecting disease activity allow a clinician to monitor severity of illness, progression, and response to therapy. D-dimer is a breakdown/degradation product of cross-linked fibrin, increasing with clot formation and fibrinolysis and its testing is non-invasive. The aim of this study was to measure D-dimer concentrations and assess their value in the diagnosis of cutaneous disease activity in dogs with canine visceral leishmaniosis (CVL) and demodicosis, besides the strengths of the latter marker in identifying early diagnosis. D-dimer analyses were performed in two groups of dogs; (ll) 13 dogs with CnVL, (III) 16 dogs with demodicosis, then were compared to those of healthy dogs (n = 11) as (l) control group. The D-dimer range in clinically healthy dogs was < 0.1 mg/L. In dogs with CVL and demodicosis, the D-dimer concentrations were higher than those of healthy dogs (p < 0.05) and (p < 0.01), respectively. In both groups, D-dimer level increased with clinical evidence of disease. D-dimer concentration may be considered as an indicator for cutaneous disease activity during selected diseases and may be useful as a potential biochemical marker of disease activity in certain cutaneous inflammatory conditions. © 2020 Herman Otto Intezet. All rights reserved.