Name
Increase of cardiac Troponin I in suspected myocarditis in three rabbits
Description
Cardiac troponin I isoform (cTnI) is a cardiac regulatory protein involved in calcium-mediated interaction between actin and myosin. Being an in-vivo substrate for protein kinase C, which is activated during ischemia, cTnI is considered a marker of myocardial damage of different etiologies. The physiological range of cTnI in rabbits is reported to be 0.002 – 0.034 ng/ml in experimental studies. In our preliminary study, serum cTnI was first measured in a population of healthy rabbits, with no signs of cardiovascular disease on physical examination or ultrasonography. The main study comprises three male rabbits (R1: 1.38kg, 3 years old; rabbit 2, R2: 1.84kg, 1 yr; rabbit 3, R3: 1.2kg, 3 yrs), presented at Centro Veterinario Specialistico for gastroenteric disease with lethargy and anorexia. One of them (R2) underwent enterotomy, while R1 and R3 were treated with medical therapy. Radiographic examination, abdominal and cardiac ultrasound were performed as well as hematobiochemical analyses. Ultrasonographic signs of myocarditis were present in all 3 rabbits, so further investigation of serum cTnI was performed. An increase in cTnI concentration was found in all rabbits (R1: 18.80 ng/ml; R2: 0.68 ng/ml; R3: 62.40 ng/ml). Treatment with furosemide, pimobendan, clopidogrel and prilactone was started and continued for 4-6 months. Serum cTnI was assessed only in R1 one month into treatment and returned within normal values. Follow-up echocardiography was scheduled in all rabbits 6 months after discharge. Increase in cTnI concentration might be correlated in rabbits, as in other mammals, to myocardial damage and thus confirm suspected myocardial disease.
Session Type
Lecture (25 Min)