Cerebrospinal fluid L-lactate as a diagnostic marker for infectious-inflammatory disorders in the central nervous system of cattle.
Sara Ferrini, Giulia Cagnotti, Ugo Ala, Eleonora Avilii, Claudio Bellino, Elena Biasibetti, Giuliano Borriello, Cristiano Corona, Giorgia Di Muro, Giulia Iamone, Barbara Iulini, Marzia Pezzolato, Elena Bozzetta, Antonio D'Angelo
Author Information
Sara Ferrini: Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
Giulia Cagnotti: Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
Ugo Ala: Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
Eleonora Avilii: Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
Claudio Bellino: Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
Elena Biasibetti: Istituto Zooprofilattico del Piemonte Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Turin, Italy.
Giuliano Borriello: Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
Cristiano Corona: Istituto Zooprofilattico del Piemonte Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Turin, Italy.
Giorgia Di Muro: Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
Giulia Iamone: Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
Barbara Iulini: Istituto Zooprofilattico del Piemonte Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Turin, Italy.
Marzia Pezzolato: Istituto Zooprofilattico del Piemonte Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Turin, Italy.
Elena Bozzetta: Istituto Zooprofilattico del Piemonte Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Turin, Italy.
Antonio D'Angelo: Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
Introduction: Bacterial infection of the central nervous system (CNS) poses a clinical challenge and is a leading cause of neurological disorders in cattle. Human studies have demonstrated an increase in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) L-lactate levels in bacterial meningitis. The aims of this study were to establish a Reference Interval (RI) for L-lactate in bovine CSF and assess its potential as a biomarker for detecting infectious-inflammatory disorders. Methods: CSF L-lactate was measured in the field using a commercially available lactate monitor. The RI for CSF L-lactate was calculated on healthy animals; univariate and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed to disclose an association between CSF L-lactate levels and interpretation of CSF in sick animals. Results: Twenty-seven healthy cattle and 86 sick cattle with either CNS infectious-inflammatory disorders (47/86) or CNS disorders of other etiology (39/86) were included in this prospective study. The RI for CSF L-lactate was 1.1-2.4���mmol/L. The concentration was higher in the cattle with neutrophilic pleocytosis and the area under the ROC curve was 0.92 compared to other animals. Based on a cut-off of 3.15���mmol/L, CSF L-lactate had diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for neutrophilic pleocytosis of 93 and 80%, respectively. Discussion: This is the first study to determine a RI for CSF L-lactate in cattle. Elevated CSF L-lactate levels indicated neutrophilic pleocytosis, which is often manifested in acute bacterial infection. The present findings may aid in diagnosis and correct use of antimicrobial drugs.
