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. 2016 Jul;30(4):1074-82.
doi: 10.1111/jvim.14256.

Evaluation of Cystatin C for the Detection of Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats

L F E Ghys  1 , D Paepe  1 , H P Lefebvre  2 , B S Reynolds  2 , S Croubels  3 , E Meyer  3 , J R Delanghe  4 , S Daminet  1
Affiliations

Evaluation of Cystatin C for the Detection of Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats

L F E Ghys et al. J Vet Intern Med. 2016 Jul.

Abstract

Background: Serum cystatin C (sCysC) and urinary cystatin C (uCysC) are potential biomarkers for early detection of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cats. An in-depth clinical validation is required.

Objectives: To evaluate CysC as a marker for CKD in cats and to compare assay performance of the turbidimetric assay (PETIA) with the previously validated nephelometric assay (PENIA).

Animals: Ninety cats were included: 49 CKD and 41 healthy cats.

Methods: Serum CysC and uCysC concentrations were prospectively evaluated in cats with CKD and healthy cats. Based on plasma exo-iohexol clearance test (PexICT), sCysC was evaluated to distinguish normal, borderline, and low GFR. Sensitivity and specificity to detect PexICT < 1.7 mL/min/kg were calculated. Serum CysC results of PENIA and PETIA were correlated with GFR. Statistical analysis was performed using general linear modeling.

Results: Cats with CKD had significantly higher mean ± SD sCysC (1.4 ± 0.5 mg/L) (P < .001) and uCysC/urinary creatinine (uCr) (291 ± 411 mg/mol) (P < .001) compared to healthy cats (sCysC 1.0 ± 0.3 and uCysC/uCr 0.32 ± 0.97). UCysC was detected in 35/49 CKD cats. R(2) values between GFR and sCysC or sCr were 0.39 and 0.71, respectively (sCysC or sCr = μ + GFR + ε). Sensitivity and specificity were 22 and 100% for sCysC and 83 and 93% for sCr. Serum CysC could not distinguish healthy from CKD cats, nor normal from borderline or low GFR, in contrast with sCr.

Conclusion: Serum CysC is not a reliable marker of reduced GFR in cats and uCysC could not be detected in all CKD cats.

Keywords: Chronic kidney disease; Creatinine; Feline; Glomerular Filtration Rate.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Scatter plots of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) determined with a plasma exogenous iohexol clearance test (PexICT) and serum creatinine (sCr), cystatin C analyzed with the particle enhanced nephelometric immunoassay (sCysC PENIA) and cystatin C analyzed with the particle enhanced turbidimetric immunoassay (sCysC PETIA).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Boxplot of serum cystatin C (sCysC) for cats with normal GFR (GFR ≥ 1.7 mL/min/kg) determined with a plasma exo‐iohexol clearance test (PexICT); borderline GFR (GFR (1.2–1.7 mL/min/kg)) and low GFR (GFR < 1.2 mL/min/kg).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Nonparametric receiver operating characteristics (ROC) plots of the sensitivity and specificity of sCysC and sCr for distinguishing cats with normal and reduced GFR (<1.7 mL/min/kg) determined with plasma exo‐iohexol clearance test (PexICT).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Bland‐Altman Plot of serum cystatin C analyzed with the particle enhanced tubidimetric immunoassay (PETIA) and particle enhanced nephelometric immunoassay (PENIA).
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