Evaluation of serum feline trypsin-like immunoreactivity for the diagnosisof pancreatitis in cats

Objective-To evaluate serum feline trypsin-like immunoreactivity (fTLI) con centration and results of abdominal ultrasonography, CBC, and serum biochem ical analyses for diagnosis of pancreatitis in cats; Design-Prospective study. Animals-28 cats with clinical signs compatible with pancreatitis. Procedure-Serum fTLI concentrations were determined, and abdominal ultrason ography, CBC, and serum biochemical analyses were performed prior to histol ogic evaluation of pancreatic, hepatic, and intestinal specimens. On the ba sis of histologic results, cats were categorized as having a normal pancrea s (n = 10), pancreatic fibrosis with ongoing inflammation (9), pancreatic f ibrosis without inflammation (4), and acute necrotizing pancreatitis (5). S erum fTLI concentrations and results of CBC, serum biochemical analyses, an d histologic evaluation of hepatic and intestinal specimens were compared a mong groups. Results-Significant differences in serum FTLI concentrations or any hematol ogic or biochemical variable were not detected among the 4 groups of cats. Median serum fTLI concentrations were 51 mu g/L (range, 18 to 200 mu g/L) i n cats with a normal pancreas, 32 mu g/L (range, 12 to > 200 mu g/L) in cat s with pancreatic fibrosis and ongoing inflammation, 124 mu g/L (range, 36 to > 200 mu g/L) in cats with pancreatic fibrosis without ongoing inflammat ion, and 30 mu g/L (range, 24 to 84 mu g/L) in cats with acute necrotizing pancreatitis. We detected a high prevalence of concurrent hepatic and intes tinal tract disease in cats with pancreatitis. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-in cats with clinical signs of pancreati tis, serum fTLI concentration is poorly associated with histopathologic dia gnosis.