FIBRONECTIN CONCENTRATIONS IN PLEURAL AND ABDOMINAL EFFUSIONS IN DOGSAND CATS

A commercial nephelometric test kit for human fibronectin (FN) was fou nd suitable for the estimation of fibronectin concentration in body ef fusions of cats and dogs. The FN measurements were set in relation to the FN concentration of plasma pools in cats and dogs. A discriminatio n line of 31.5% completely separated malignant from cardiogenic pleura l effusions in cats. For the diagnosis of a malignant pleural effusion , sensitivity was 100% and specificity was 57%. Pleuritis also resulte d in high FN concentrations. The FN concentration in malignant pleural effusions in dogs differed significantly (P < .02) from that in cardi ogenic effusions. There were no clinically useful differences in the F N concentration in peritoneal effusions in cats and dogs. The FN/album in ratio was significantly higher (P < .02) in dogs with neoplastic ab dominal effusion than in those with congestive heart failure.