RCVS Trust project to identify immunomarkers
Project information
We would like to inform colleagues about a study we will be conducting at the University of Bristol with cases referred to Langford Veterinary Services. The project is funded by the RCVS Trust and we are very grateful for their support. The aim of the project is to identify the immunomarkers with the best sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of mesothelioma, carcinoma and non-neoplastic conditions in body cavity effusions from dogs.
The project will focus on developing automated and manual methods for seven commercially available immunocytochemical markers and then comparing the results generated from the two methods.
We would like to recruit dogs with pleural and/or peritoneal effusions. The aim is to identify two populations of dogs (Group A; neoplastic effusions, Group B; non-neoplastic effusions) and then to apply the immunocytochemical markers to the fluid samples. The diagnosis will be established by evaluation of the clinical history, clinicopathological data including effusion analysis, diagnostic imaging and where available histopathology. Follow up of the patient will also provide useful information.
Tissue biopsies for confirmation of the diagnosis of neoplasia may be obtained through minimally invasive surgery (thoracoscopy, laparoscopy) or via exploratory surgery. The funding for the trial will allow us to reduce costs to the owners. Effusion analysis (cytological and biochemical) and the immunocytochemistry will be performed free of charge.
For a detailed description of the project please see here.
Contact information
We would be very interested to hear from colleagues with such cases.
If you have a suitable case please contact our Small Animal Hospital and ask to speak to Kate Murphy
(Tel 01179 289420/9447, Kate.Murphy@bristol.ac.uk) or another member of the Small Animal Medicine Team.
Kate Murphy and Kostas Papasouliotis
School of Clinical Veterinary Science
University of Bristol
Langford House
Langford
Bristol
BS405DU