Evaluation of serum symmetric dimethylarginine as a biomarker of kidney disease in canine leishmaniosis due to Leishmania infantum

Canine leishmaniosis (CanL)-associated chronic kidney disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Mediterranean countries. Novel renal biomarkers, such as serum symmetric dimethylarginine (sSDMA), may be useful surrogates for the detection of renal functional impairment. The objectives of this study were to investigate sSDMA concentrations in dogs with CanL, with and without azotemia, and to establish any potential association with the prevalence and severity of proteinuria, with the prevalence of decreased urine specific gravity and with the LeishVet clinical stages of CanL. Serum samples from 68 dogs with CanL (50 nonazotemic and 18 azotemic) and 17 healthy dogs were retrospectively examined. Increased sSDMA was documented in 26 % of dogs with CanL without azotemia and in 83.3 % of dogs with azotemia. Serum SDMA was significantly higher in azotemic compared to nonazotemic dogs and was associated with the presence and severity of proteinuria, the decreased urine specific gravity and the advanced clinical stages of CanL. The results of the present study indicate that sSDMA may be a useful adjunct to serum creatinine and urine protein/creatinine ratio for the detection of CanL-associated nephropathy, but it is of limited value for distinguishing among the LeishVet clinical stages of CanL.