2016 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

The results of our study suggest that an aspirin dose of 2 mg/ kg, PO, q24 h reliably inhibits platelet function in normal dogs based on the established "gold standard" assay, platelet aggregometry. Additionally, even though all aspirin doses inhibited prostacyclin synthesis to some degree, there was no difference in prostacyclin concentration between a dose of 2 mg/kg, PO, q24 h and the traditionally used lower doses. Based on our results, an increased standard aspirin "low-dose" of 2 mg/kg, PO, q24 h may minimize the risk of aspirin resistance in dogs. There is a critical need for a biomarker that differentiates active primary immune mediated thrombocytopenia (pITP) from secondary causes of thrombocytopenia, and the concentration of which correlates with disease status in dogs. Such a biomarker would provide a valuable diagnostic tool to modulate therapy, evaluate risk of relapse, and reduce patient exposure to potentially harmful immunosuppressive medications. B cell activating factor (BAFF) is a cytokine within the tumor necrosis factor family that plays a crucial role in B cell maturation, survival, and class switching. Increased concentrations of BAFF in mice and people have been linked to immune-mediated diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and ITP. Our central hypothesis is that BAFF production will be significantly and specifically increased in dogs with untreated pITP.