Description
Measurement of NT-proBNP has been introduced into veterinary practice over the past decade. NT-proBNP levels are elevated in dogs with mitral valve disease and dilated cardiomyopathy. The highest concentrations can be seen in dogs that develop congestive heart failure. Measurement of NT-proBNP helps distinguish congestive heart failure from primary respiratory tract disease as the underlying cause of respiratory signs in dogs.
The concentration of NT-proBNP in the blood correlates with the severity of the disease and reflects the risk of subsequent complications. An increasing number of studies have shown that NT-proBNP can be used successfully for the diagnosis of heart disease in dogs, evaluating disease severity in dogs with heart disease, and prognosis in dogs with heart disease.
One of the main challenges with canine NT-proBNP measurements is the low stability of the analyte in blood samples. The degradation of NT-proBNP during the storage and transport of samples leads to a decrease in the concentration of NT-proBNP that is determined in the sample.
The apparent stability of an analyte depends on the specificity of the antibodies used in an immunoassay and can be improved by using antibodies that are specific for a stable part of the molecule. By selecting antibodies that are less sensitive to NT-proBNP degradation, could allow for less stringent and complicated instructions for sample handling and storage. Such a robust assay would greatly enhance the clinical utility of the canine NT-proBNP assay.
HyTest Monoclonal Antibodies and Calibrator
We offer both the calibrator and several MAbs with peer recommendations for the development of dog-specific NT-proBNP immunoassays. These tools allow the development of highly specific immunoassays for the determination of canine NT-proBNP concentration in blood. In our preliminary studies, we found that plasma samples could be stored for at least 72 hours at +4°C or 24 hours at +20°C with little or no loss of NT-proBNP immunoreactivity in internal assays using our best MAb combinations.