Prospective Application of the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) as a Possible Inflammatory Marker in Feline Patients.

The application of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in feline medicine is currently unavailable, while in canine medicine it has been rediscovered due to the introduction of an automated ESR device. Our aims were to (1) define the reference interval (RI) of the ESR in healthy cats, (2) evaluate the ESR values between healthy and ill cats, (3) evaluate relationships between the ESR and some inflammatory markers, and (4) assess ESR changes in different durations of illness (acute, chronic, or acute-on-chronic). A prospective multicentric cohort study on 200 client-owned cats: 57 healthy cats and 143 ill cats for the other aims. Healthy cats were blood donors, or young cats underwent desexing procedures. Ill cats with full clinical medical records, hematobiochemical profiles, and diagnostic procedures to reach a final diagnosis were included. The ESR was performed with MINI-PET using the same K3-EDTA tubes used for CBC, with no additional sample required. The total leukocyte count (WBC), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), fibrinogen, serum amyloid A, and albumin/globulin ratio (A/G) were concurrently measured. Based on the clinical presentation and the final diagnosis, cats were classified as having the following: acute, chronic, and acute-on-chronic conditions. The RI of the ESR ranged between 1 and 23 mm/h. Ill cats showed a significantly higher ESR (median 29 mm/h; range 12-46 mm/h) than healthy cats (median 10 mm/h; range 1-12 mm/h; p < 0.0001). The ESR was positively correlated only with fibrinogen (p < 0.001; r = 0.43). Cats with acute-on-chronic diseases had the highest ESR (median 47 mm/h; range 35-56 mm/h) compared with acute (median 16 mm/h; range 14-42 mm/h; p=0.003) and chronic cats (median 14 mm/h; range 10-31 mm/h; p < 0.0001). Although further studies are needed, the ESR could be a useful ancillary inflammatory marker in cats, specifically in cats with acute diseases, with or without an underlying chronic condition.

Analytical Validation of MINI-PET as Point-of-Care for Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate Measure in Horses.

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a widely used diagnostic assay in human medicine but nowadays poorly applied in veterinary medicine. This test measures the speed (millimeters per hour) at which red blood cells settle in a whole anticoagulated blood tube. In human medicine, high ESR values are associated with various disorders, including infections, rheumatoid arthritis, oncologic diseases, and other inflammatory conditions. The ESR can also be influenced by some factors such as age and gender. In veterinary medicine, the ESR with the Westergren manual method was almost forgotten over the years due to blood consumption and long turn-around time. The instrument MINI-PET, using a modified Westergren method, does not require blood consumption or release waste product and recently has been applied in canine medicine. The aims of the study in the horse were as follows: to establish the appropriate time to read the ESR with the Westergren reference method; to compare the MINI-PET ESR results with the reference technique; to assess the ESR reference intervals with MINI-PET; and to establish the ESR stability from collection at different time points by MINI-PET. Using 150 horses, we established 60 minutes as the appropriate time for ESR reading with the Westergren method. Moreover, ESR results obtained in 8 minutes with MINI-PET showed a good correlation with the Westergren ESR. Reference intervals (RIs) with MINI-PET were established in mm/h for the healthy horses (geldings 18.6-100.1; stallions, 13.8-55.7; and mares 1-73.7) according to the American Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathology guidelines. In addition, the ESR stability from the blood collection time was evaluated in the MINI-PET on 15 horses: at room temperature, ESR is stable up to 8 hours and at 4°C up to 24 hours. In conclusion, MINI-PET represents a rapid and reliable tool for measuring ESR in horses, offering a valid option to replace the traditional manual technique.

A Lethal Case of Disseminated Cladosporium allicinum Infection in a Captive African Bullfrog.

Cladosporium infections have a poor prognosis in animals, most likely due to a lack of knowledge about diagnosis and treatment. In this study, we described a case of a lethal Cladosporium allicinum infection in a captive bullfrog (Pyxicephalus adspersus) in Europe. One adult male bullfrog was referred with clinical signs of lethargy and a cutaneous nodule. Fungal infection was suspected on cytology and confirmed by histology and cultural isolation. The mold was identified by molecular methods using partial sequencing of the TEF1α gene and the ITS region of rDNA. Climbazole antifungal treatment was started but the frog died after 30 days, and necropsy was done. Pigmented hyphae and structures consistent with muriform bodies were found on a background of diffuse granulomatous inflammation at cytological and histopathological examinations. Fungal culture revealed the presence of pigmented fungi identified as Cladosporium allicinum only by partial sequencing of the TEF1α gene. A focally extensive granuloma with intralesional hyphae and muriform bodies effacing the architecture of head, liver, kidneys, lungs, and large intestine were retrieved after necropsy. This study is the first Italian report of the occurrence of lethal C. allicinum infection in a frog and highlights the role of this Cladosporium sp. in chromoblastomycosis.

Haematological and biochemical reference intervals in healthy Ragdoll cats.

OBJECTIVES: Breed-specific reference intervals (RIs) may be necessary to avoid misinterpretation of laboratory results. The main aim of this study was to establish haematobiochemical RIs for Ragdoll cats. METHODS: Forty-two clinically healthy adult (0.8-10 years old) Ragdoll cats (Ragdoll population [RP]) and 60 non-Ragdoll cats as the control population (CP) were prospectively enrolled. Results of haematology, biochemistry and total thyroxine (TT4) were used to determine both Ragdoll-specific and general feline population RIs for each variable using Reference Value Advisor software according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines and the American Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathology guidelines. RESULTS: For each analyte, RIs of the RP were calculated and compared with those obtained from the CP. Haematocrit, haemoglobin, mean cell volume, mean cell haemoglobin concentration, reticulocyte absolute count, platelet count and lymphocyte absolute number were statistically different from the CP. Biochemistry RIs revealed a statistical difference in creatinine kinase (CK), total protein, urea, creatinine, glucose, total calcium and iron. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Haematobiochemical RIs of the general feline population must be used with caution in Ragdoll cats when it comes to iron and glucose concentrations, CK activity and absolute lymphocyte number. For these parameters, the use of breed-specific RIs is suggested. The docile and more relaxed nature of this breed may explain these differences and further investigations are necessary to better understand the results. Furthermore, investigations are needed to evaluate the possible benefits of breed-specific urea RIs.