Cerebrospinal fluid lactate in dogs with inflammatory central nervous system disorders

BACKGROUND: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lactate is frequently used as a biomarker in humans with inflammatory central nervous system (CNS) disorders including bacterial meningitis and autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis. HYPOTHESIS: Cerebrospinal fluid lactate concentrations are increased in a subset of dogs with inflammatory CNS disorders. ANIMALS: One hundred two client‐owned dogs diagnosed with inflammatory CNS disease. METHODS: Case series. Cases were identified both prospectively at the time of diagnosis and retrospectively by review of a CSF biorepository. Cerebrospinal fluid lactate was analyzed with a commercially available, handheld lactate monitor. Subcategories of inflammatory disease were created for comparison (eg, steroid‐responsive meningitis arteritis, meningoencephalitis of unknown etiology). RESULTS: Cerebrospinal fluid lactate concentrations were above reference range in 47% of dogs (median, 2.5 mmol/L; range, 1.0‐11.7 mmol/L). There was no significant difference in lactate concentrations between disease subcategories (P = .48). Significant but weak correlations were noted between CSF lactate concentration and nucleated cell count (r = .33, P < .001), absolute large mononuclear cell count (r = .44, P < .001), absolute small mononuclear cell count (r = .39, P < .001), absolute neutrophil cell count (r = .24, P = .01), and protein (r = .44, P < .001). No correlation was found between CSF lactate concentration and CSF red blood cell count (P = .58). There was no significant association of CSF lactate concentration with survival (P = .27). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Cerebrospinal fluid lactate concentrations could serve as a rapid biomarker of inflammatory CNS disease in dogs.