Disintegrin-Like and Metalloprotease With Thrombospondin Type 1 Repeat Motifs 13 (ADAMTS13) Activity in 40 Healthy Dogs.

Background: In humans, deficiency of a disintegrin-like and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type 1 motifs, number 13 (ADAMTS13), a von Willebrand factor (vWF) cleaving protease, is an underlying mechanism for thrombosis. The role of ADAMTS13 in canine thromboembolic disease is largely unknown.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to evaluate plasma ADAMTS13 activity in healthy adult dogs using a commercially available human ADAMTS13 activity ELISA kit and to establish its reference interval (RI).

Methods: Forty healthy adult dogs were prospectively enrolled. Normal health status was confirmed using physical examination findings, history, and the results of hemogram, biochemical profile, screen test for vector-borne diseases, and urinalysis. Plasma ADAMTS13 activity was assessed using the Diapharma RUO Technozym ADAMTS13 Activity ELISA. The assay's precision, accuracy, and detection limits were also evaluated.

Results: The canine reference population was comprised of 21 spayed females, 14 castrated males, 3 intact females, and 2 intact males. The median plasma ADAMTS13 activity in healthy dogs was 0.76 IU/mL (range 0.45-1.04). The RI lower limit was 0.45 IU/mL (90% confidence interval 0.45-0.47). The upper limit, although calculated (1.04 IU/mL, 90% CI 1.04-1.04), likely does not reflect the true RI upper limit but a technical limitation of the assay; therefore, rendering an RI of > 0.45 IU/mL. The intra- and inter-assay precision and accuracy range were 9.6%, 11.5%, -8.8% to 3.4%, respectively.

Conclusions: The commercially available human ADAMTS13 activity ELISA kit was suitable to analyze canine samples, and the RI for adult dogs was established.