Plasma: fibrinogen

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Sections available in full article Overview, Uses, Sampling, Source of test material, Quantity of test material, Sample collection technique, Quality control, Test (s), Methodologies, Availability, Validity, Technique (intrinsic) limitations, Technician (extrinsic) limitations, Result data, Normal (reference) values, Abnormal values, Errors and Artifacts, Sources, Publications, Vetstream contributor(s),
Contributors Dr Kathleen P Freeman DVM MS PhD MRCVS

Overview

  • Fibrinogen: soluble plasma protein produced in hepatic parenchymal cells and stored until required.
  • Half-life of 2.3-2.7 days makes it an acute phase indicator.
  • Inflammation (bacterial, chemical, neoplastic, traumatic) increases [fibrinogen] a temporary increase if acute and persistent if chronic inflammation.

Uses

In combination

  • As part of routine biochemical screen and with CBC to detect inflammation.

Result data

Normal (reference) values

  • 2-4 g/l.

Abnormal values



Increased [fibrinogen]
  • Increased [fibrinogen]: inflammation and tissue destruction:
    • Distemper Canine distemper disease.
    • Leptospirosis Leptospirosis.
    • Wound infections.
    • Bone fractures.
    • Traumatic injuries.
    • Surgery.
    • Peritonitis Peritonitis.
    • Pneumonia Lung: bacterial pneumonia.
    • Pleural effusions.
    • Pyometra Pyometra.
    • Pregnancy.
    • Pyelonephritis Pyelonephritis.
    • Chronic interstitial nephritis Chronic interstitial nephritis.
    • Malignant neoplasm - may exceed 10 g/l.
    • Tissue injuries.
    • Abscesses.


    Decreased [fibrinogen]
    • Liver disease Liver: acute disease.
    • Exudation into serous cavities.
    • Obstetric complications.
    • Shock Shock.
    • Extensive neoplasia.
    • Disseminated intravascular coagulation Disseminated intravascular coagulation.
    • Hereditary hypofibrinogenemia or dysfibrinogenemia.

Errors and Artifacts

  • False decrease : any sample clotting.

Sources

Publications

Refereed papers

  • O'Donnell M R, Slichter S J, Weiden P L & Storb R (1981) Platelet and fibrinogen kinetics in canine tumors. Cancer Res 41 (4), 1379-1383.

Other sources of information

  • Cowell R L, Tyler R D & Meinkoth J H (1999) Diagnostic Cytology and Hematology of the Dog and Cat. 2nd edn. Mosby, St Louis.
  • Duncan J R, Prasse K W & Mahaffy E A (1994) Veterinary Laboratory Medicine Clinical Pathology. 3rd edn. Iowa University Press, Ames, Iowa.
  • Jain N C (1993) Essentials of Veterinary Hematology. Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia.

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