New biomarkers could support canine meniscal injury diagnosis
The findings could result in a simpler, less expensive and less invasive test for meniscal injury.
A new study has identified biomarkers in the stifle joint synovial fluid of dogs, which could be used to better diagnose meniscal injury.
The results discovered higher areas of spectra related to mobile lipids in the synovial fluid of dogs with meniscal injury than those without.
Meniscal injuries usually occur as a result of instability in a dog’s stifle joint, secondary to cranial crucial ligament rupture (CCLR). They can cause dogs to suffer ongoing pain and lameness.
However, late meniscal injuries occurring after CCLR surgery are challenging to diagnose.
Current techniques are considered expensive, technically complex, lacking in sensitivity or, in the case of surgical diagnosis, risky to the patient. This has made it important that a simple, less invasive diagnostic test is devised.
The study involved researchers collecting samples of stifle joint synovial fluid from 154 dogs that were receiving stifle joint surgery for either CCLR or medial patella luxation. Some of the dogs had meniscal injuries, and some did not.
The scientists then used nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to examine how small molecule metabolites changed in the samples depending on the meniscal injury status of the dog.
The findings revealed that the areas of spectra related to lipid resonances, known as mobile lipids, were significantly higher in dogs which had meniscal injury than those without.
Through identifying these potential biomarkers, researchers believe there is opportunity for a simpler, less expensive and less invasive test to be found to diagnose meniscal injuries in dogs.
Christine Pye, the lead author of the study, said: “Late meniscal injuries in dogs can be a challenge to diagnose in practice without surgical intervention, and the availability of a minimally invasive test by means of a joint tap to diagnose meniscal injuries would be very useful in these cases.
“Our study found increases in lipid particles in the synovial fluid of dogs with meniscal injuries compared to those without. Future studies to identify the exact lipid species involved could lead to a biomarker discovery for meniscal injuries in dogs with CCLR.”
The full study has been published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice (JSAP).
Image © Shutterstock
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
