New cardiac biomarkers in dogs with parvoviral enteritis: galectin-3 and cardiotrophin-1

Boluk G. S., Ozturk A. S., Ozturk A.

JOURNAL OF THE HELLENIC VETERINARY MEDICAL SOCIETY, vol.76, no.3, pp.9735-9742, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

Abstract

Canine parvoviral enteritis remains a disease associated with high mortality and morbidity in puppies despite the availability of vaccination. Consequently, ongoing research into biomarkers for parvoviral enteritis is being conducted. This study aimed to evaluate, for the first time, cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) and galectin-3 (GAL-3) as a cardiac biomarker in conjunction with routine parameters in dogs with parvoviral enteritis (PVE). The dog with PVE was subdivided into three categories: unvaccinated under 3 months of age dogs (n = 8), unvaccinated over 3 months of age dogs (n = 15), and dogs that had received vaccination (n = 10). Eight healthy dogs were included as A control group. Serum levels of GAL-3, CT-1, CK-MB, and CK were significantly elevated in all dogs with parvoviral enteritis (PVE) compared to the control group. The total leukocyte count was significantly reduced in all PVE groups. In dogs under 3 months of age, Packed Cell Volume (PCV) values were comparable to those of the control group. Creatinine levels were significantly reduced in all PVE groups. In conclusion, unlike routine biochemical parameters, elevated GAL-3, CT-1, and CK-MB and CK demonstrate satisfactory sensitivity and specificity, suggesting their potential as cardiac biomarkers for PVE. These biomarkers may also represent novel therapeutic targets.