Association of platelet indices with glycemic status in diabetic dogs.

We investigated the platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), and plateletcrit (PCT) in dogs with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) compared to healthy controls, and their association with the major fraction of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Blood samples from 33 clinically healthy dogs and 14 newly diagnosed diabetic dogs were included. CBCs were performed with the Advia 120; HbA1c was determined using a validated assay (Capillarys 2 flex-piercing; Sebia). Median [range] PLT and PCT were significantly higher (p = 0.040 and p = 0.010, respectively) in diabetic dogs (434 [176-987] × 109/L and 0.60 [0.26-1.22]%, respectively) compared to healthy dogs (297 [223-671] × 109/L and 0.35 [0.24-0.87]%, respectively]. Thrombocytosis was observed in 6 of 14 (43%) diabetic dogs. The median MPV was not significantly different (p = 0.114) between the diabetic (13.6 fL, 10.1-22.6 fL) and healthy dogs (11.9 fL, 8.6-19.1 fL). A significant, albeit weak, correlation was detected between HbA1c and PLT (rho = 0.298, p = 0.042) and PCT (rho = 0.340, p = 0.019), but no significant correlation was found with MPV (rho = 0.199, p = 0.180). Canine DM was associated with increased PLT and PCT, which was correlated with glycemic status. Our findings suggest dysregulated megakaryopoiesis in diabetic dogs, but this should be confirmed by large-scale studies, and the clinical implications should be investigated.

Prevalence of antinuclear antibodies and rheumatoid factor titers in dogs with arthritis secondary to leishmaniosis (Leishmania infantum).

Dogs with infectious arthritis may occasionally exhibit positive serum antinuclear antibody (ANA) and rheumatoid factor (RF) titers; however, relevant data are sparse for arthritis secondary to canine leishmaniosis (CanL) caused by Leishmania infantum. We determined the prevalence of positive serum ANA and RF titers in dogs with arthritis secondary to CanL. Blood samples from adult, client-owned dogs with purulent arthritis secondary to CanL, without any comorbidities, were collected for diagnostic purposes. Serum ANA titers were measured by immunoperoxidase test and RF titers by the Rose-Waaler latex test. Twelve of 23 dogs enrolled prospectively in our study had clinical arthritis, and 11 of 23 had subclinical arthritis. Based on LeishVet clinical staging, 7 dogs had clinical stage II disease, 11 had clinical stage III disease, and 5 had stage IV. None of the 23 dogs was seropositive for ANA; 3 of 23 were positive for RF. ANA and/or RF seropositivity, in dogs with CanL-associated arthritis, appears to be weak, if present at all. Based on our results, positive serum ANA and RF titers should not be expected in dogs with arthritis secondary to CanL.

The effect of age and sex on glycated hemoglobin in dogs.

We investigated the effect of age and sex on canine glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) using a validated capillary electrophoresis assay. Aliquots of EDTA blood samples collected for routine health checks were used. HbA1c was measured using the Capillarys 2 flex-piercing system (Sebia). We included 58 clinically and hematologically healthy, normoglycemic dogs (29 males, 29 females), allocated to 3 age groups: young (14 dogs <1-y-old), adult (31 dogs 1-7.9-y-old), and senior (13 dogs ≥8-y-old). The mean (± SD) HbA1c was not significantly different (p = 0.428) between the age groups (young: 1.68 ± 0.54%; adult: 1.59 ± 0.41%; senior: 1.80 ± 0.57%). The HbA1c was not significantly correlated with age (rho = 0.144, p = 0.280). The median (range) HbA1c was not significantly different (p = 0.391) between male [1.7% (0.5-2.5%)] and female [1.5% (1.0-2.7%)] dogs. Age and sex do not appear to affect canine HbA1c; however, a study of geriatric dogs would be needed to fully exclude an effect of age on HbA1c.

Diagnostic and prognostic value of peripheral blood leucocyte ratios in sick cats.

The objective of this study was to assess the diagnostic and prognostic utility of feline neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR) and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratios (LMR) in a variety of underlying diseases. Five-year medical records from cats presenting to the internal medicine unit of a veterinary teaching hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Cats were considered for inclusion based on complete medical records. ADVIA 120 was used for the complete blood counts; the NLR and LMR were calculated by dividing the absolute numbers of the respective leucocytes. Two hundred and nineteen sick and 20 healthy cats were included in the study. The median NLR and LMR were significantly (P < 0.05) elevated and decreased, respectively, in cats with infectious, neoplastic and chronic kidney diseases compared to controls. Additionally, cats with neoplasia had significantly higher median NLR compared to cats with urinary tract and gastrointestinal diseases. Non-survivors had significantly higher NLR and lower LMR compared to survivors. Both ratios had suboptimal prognostic performance for the outcome of sick cats (NLR sensitivity: 37.9%, specificity: 86.4%; LMR sensitivity: 69.0%, specificity: 61.0%). Many different disease categories were associated with increased NLR and decreased LMR compared to controls, but the overall prognostic performance of the two leucocyte ratios was suboptimal.

Effect of anaemia and erythrocyte indices on canine glycated haemoglobin.

BACKGROUND: The major fraction of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) depends on blood glucose concentration and erythrocyte lifespan, and consequently erythrocyte indices may affect HbA1c; our objective was to study this effect in dogs. METHODS: Blood samples from two (healthy and anaemic) age- and sex-matched, normoglycaemic populations were prospectively included. Advia 120 and Capillarys 2 flex-piercing were used for the haematological and HbA1c analyses, respectively. RESULTS: Lower mean HbA1c was found in dogs with regenerative (n = 8, 0.88 ± 0.58%) and non-regenerative anaemia (n = 12, 1.36 ± 0.56%) compared to healthy ones (n = 40, 1.68 ± 0.48%); the difference was significant (p < 0.001) between the healthy dogs and those with regenerative anaemia. HbA1c was significantly correlated (p < 0.05) with red blood cell count (r = 0.506), haemoglobin (r = 0.474), haematocrit (r = 0.467), mean corpuscular volume (r = -0.289), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (r = 0.284), red cell distribution width (r = -0.286) and reticulocytes (rs = -0.542). CONCLUSION: Anaemia, particularly if regenerative, can lower HbA1c. The significant correlation between HbA1c and erythrocyte indices likely reflects the effect of erythrocyte turnover on HbA1c.

Circulating and bone marrow myeloid cells containing Leishmania amastigotes in a case of advanced canine leishmaniosis.

A 5-y-old male Poodle mix was presented with intermittent vomiting, anorexia, and weight loss. Physical examination revealed emaciation, lethargy, dehydration, hypothermia, respiratory distress, and splenomegaly. Based on clinicopathologic, serologic, and parasitologic findings, diagnoses of severe leishmaniosis and dirofilariasis were made. Extracellular, intraneutrophilic, and intramonocytic Leishmania amastigotes were observed on blood smear and buffy coat smear examination. In blood smears, 0.2% of neutrophils were observed to be infected; in buffy coat smears, 0.5% of neutrophils and 0.1% of monocytes were found to be infected. Leishmania amastigotes were also found engulfed by eosinophils and neutrophil precursors in bone marrow aspiration cytology. The detection of Leishmania amastigotes in blood smears is rare, and the clinical significance is uncertain. In circulating blood, Leishmania amastigotes are primarily found phagocytized by neutrophils. Although debatable, there is growing evidence that neutrophils are used as carriers enabling the "silent entry" of the protozoa into macrophages ("Trojan horse" theory). To date, cytologic screening of blood smears for the diagnosis of canine leishmaniosis is not a routine practice. Clinical pathologists and practitioners should be aware that Leishmania amastigotes may be present in neutrophils and less frequently monocytes during blood smear evaluation; neutrophil precursors and eosinophils may also be parasitized in bone marrow specimens.

Pyloric obstruction due to massive eosinophilic infiltration in a young adult dog.

A 16-month-old dog was presented with chronic vomiting, anorexia, progressive weight loss, and melena. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a massive pyloric eosinophilic infiltration leading to pyloric obstruction that was treated successfully with pylorectomy. This is a novel clinical presentation of eosinophilic gastritis and highlights the need to consider it as a differential diagnosis for pyloric obstruction.

Obstruction pylorique causée par une infiltration éosinophilique chez un jeune chien adulte. Un chien âgé de 16 mois a été présenté avec des vomissements chroniques, de l'anorexie, une perte de poids progressive et la méléna. Une laparatomie exploratoire a révélé une infiltration éosinophilique pylorique massive qui causait une obstruction pylorique qui a été traitée avec succès par la pylorectomie. C'est une présentation clinique nouvelle de la gastrite éosinophilique et elle souligne le besoin de la considérer comme un diagnostic différentiel pour l'obstruction pylorique.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Molecular identification of Bartonella species in dogs with leishmaniosis (leishmania infantum) with or without cytological evidence of arthritis.

Recent evidence suggest that Bartonella species may cause polyarthritis and lameness in dogs. Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) due to Leishmania infantum is a multi-systemic disease often occurring in association with arthritis. We hypothesized that concurrent Bartonella infection may be a contributing factor for the development of arthritis in dogs with CanL. Hence the primary objective of this study was to investigate the molecular prevalence of Bartonella spp. in dogs with naturally occurring CanL, with or without cytologically documented arthritis. Thirty-eight dogs with CanL (31 with neutrophilic arthritis and 7 without arthritis) were retrospectively studied. Seventy-four archived clinical specimens from these 38 dogs, including 33 blood samples, 19 bone marrow (BM) samples and synovial fluid (SF) aspirates from 22 dogs were tested for Bartonella spp. DNA using the Bartonella alpha proteobacteria growth medium (BAPGM) diagnostic platform. Overall, eight (21.1%) dogs were infected with one or two Bartonella species; however, Bartonella spp. infection was not associated with arthritis in dogs with CanL. Further prospective studies are warranted to determine if there is a correlation between Bartonella spp. infection and the development of arthritis in dogs with CanL.