First case of autochthonous Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in a Norwegian dog.

A fifteen-month-old Pembroke Welsh corgi with respiratory distress, exercise intolerance, and moderate regenerative anemia was referred to The Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Small Animal Hospital.Hematology revealed moderate regenerative anemia without evidence of hemolysis. Thoracic radiographs showed a generalized mixed interstitial to alveolar lung pattern and enlarged pulmonary arteries. Changes suggestive of moderate pulmonary hypertension were noted on echocardiography. Baermann fecal diagnostic flotation identified large numbers of Angiostrongylus vasorum larvae, and the AngioDetect serological antigen test was positive. The dog was treated with a two-week course with fenbendazole (51 mg/kg q24h po) and topical imidacloprid/moxidectin (250 mg/62.5 mg) and a one-week course with sildenafil (0.45 mg/kg q12h po). Complete clinical, clinicopathological and echocardiographic resolution was observed after only four weeks. Rapid improvement of echocardiographic abnormalities in cases with suspected pulmonary hypertension is not usually reported in cases with angiostrongylosis.Infection with A. vasorum should be considered in dogs with respiratory signs and bleeding tendencies, even in countries with no endemic history or reported cases.

Performance of red blood cell indices for the detection of reticulocytosis in anemic and non-anemic dogs in Taiwan.

Reticulocyte counts (RETIC) are considered the gold standard in detecting an erythroid bone marrow response (BMR) in anemic and non-anemic dogs. Reticulocytosis without anemia (RWA) is a potential indicator of disease. The prevalence of anemia or RWA, as well as the effectiveness of red blood cell (RBC) indices in identifying a BMR, may vary based on geographical locations and breed differences. The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of regenerative and nonregenerative anemia, and RWA in pet dogs of Taiwan, and to assess the sensitivity and specificity of combined increased mean cell volume and decreased mean cell hemoglobin concentration (iMCV+dMCHC) to detect reticulocytosis in this population. The final population analysis consisted of 149,076 dogs. A cross sectional, retrospective analysis of complete blood count (CBC) samples from a field of automated hematology analyzers in Taiwan from December 1, 2018 through December 31, 2020 was performed. Among 149,076 dogs, 11.8 % (n=17,600) had reticulocytosis (RETIC > 110K/µl) and 21.8 % (n=32,474) had anemia (HCT < 37.3 %). Of 32,474 anemic dogs, 17.8 % (n=5,789) had reticulocytosis. Of 116,602 dogs without anemia, 10.1 % (n=11,776) had reticulocytosis. Across all dogs, sensitivity/specificity of iMCV+dMCHC to detect BMR was 4.3 % and 99.4 %, respectively compared to RETIC. Among anemic dogs, sensitivity/specificity of iMCV+dMCHC to detect BMR was 9.8 % and 99.2 %, respectively. Among non-anemic dogs, sensitivity/specificity of iMCV+dMCHC to detect BMR was 1.6 % and 99.5 %, respectively. Therefore, most regenerative anemias and cases of RWA did not have a combined iMCV+dMCHC. To avoid overlooking potential illness, RETIC should be evaluated regardless of whether patients have anemia or not.

Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia and pure red cell aplasia in a Jack Russell Terrier during treatment for hypoadrenocorticism.

An 11-year-old neutered male Jack Russell Terrier was presented to Yuki Animal Hospital for regenerative anemia during the treatment of hypoadrenocorticism. A blood smear examination showed spherocytes, polychromatic erythrocytes, and erythrocyte ghosts. The direct agglutination test was positive at 37°C. The dog was then diagnosed with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA). Although prednisolone and mycophenolate mofetil were administered, the hematocrit and reticulocyte count decreased, and nonregenerative anemia developed. A bone marrow examination was performed to diagnose the cause of the nonregenerative anemia. Histologic and cytologic bone marrow examination revealed a normocellular to hypercellular medulla with severe erythroid hypoplasia. No proliferation of lymphocytes or lymphoblast-appearing cells was observed. This dog was diagnosed with pure red cell aplasia (PRCA). Despite treatment with immunosuppressive agents, the patient died of thrombosis. Although these associations were unclear, this is the first report of PRCA diagnosis following IMHA and while treating hypoadrenocorticism.

Splenic torsion in a cat with chronic anemia.

Case summary: A 4-year-old female spayed domestic shorthair cat with chronic anemia was evaluated for acute-onset lethargy, vomiting, abdominal distension, and a palpably enlarged and firm spleen. Abdominal ultrasound confirmed marked splenomegaly and concern for a splenic infarct, prompting exploratory abdominal surgery, where splenic torsion was diagnosed. A splenectomy was performed, and the cat recovered uneventfully. Splenitis was diagnosed on histopathology. Anemia improved postoperatively. The role of chronic anemia and other concurrent findings in the development of splenic torsion in this case remains unknown. Relevance and novel information: Splenic torsion has not been previously reported in cats, making this the first case of its kind. In cases of splenomegaly and abnormal splenic blood flow, splenic torsion should be considered a differential diagnosis in cats.

Disseminated T-cell lymphoma with non-epitheliotropic cutaneous involvement in a cat with erythematous patches and regenerative anemia.

A 14-y-old, castrated male, diabetic, domestic longhaired cat was presented for investigation of anemia. General examination revealed widespread cutaneous erythematous macules and patches. Hematology and bone marrow aspiration revealed severe regenerative anemia and marked erythroid hyperplasia, respectively. Low numbers of intermediate-to-large, atypical lymphocytes were observed in the blood smear and bone marrow aspirates. Various imaging modalities demonstrated a diffuse pulmonary bronchial pattern, multifocal mural thickening of the urinary bladder, splenomegaly, and mild tri-cavitary effusion. Skin biopsies and cytologic examination of the pleural effusion demonstrated round-cell neoplasia consistent with lymphoma. Autopsy confirmed disseminated T-cell lymphoma, mostly affecting the urinary bladder, stomach, lymph nodes, and interscapular subcutis and muscles. Angiocentrism and nerve infiltration were present. The cutaneous erythematous patches, characterized by perivascular neoplastic lymphocytic infiltrates and angiodestruction, were a manifestation of the disseminated lymphoma in this cat, similar to the lesions reported in humans affected by angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma.

Factors affecting occurrence of demodecosis by Demodex bovis in Sindhi cattle (Bos indicus).

The objective was to evaluate the factors affecting the occurrence of bovine demodecosis from the clinical aspects of injuries, blood profile, and the correlation with weight gain and the season of the year in Sindhi-breed animal management in a tropical environment. Thirty-three Sindhi-breed animals were used: 23 females and 10 males. Clinical examination diagnosed that 90% of the examined animals presented skin lesions characteristic of bovine demodecosis caused by Demodex bovis (P < 0.05). The Sindhi presented a higher fecal parasite egg count and showed a lower body weight gain in the rainy season and a greater weight loss in the drought season (P < 0.05), medium injury predominating, with no effect of sex (P > 0.05). During the drought season, animals clinically infected with bovine demodecosis presented lower red blood cell and platelet counts and total plasma protein, and higher mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, a blood count typical of regenerative macrocytic anemia (P < 0.05). During the rainy season of the year (April to June), the animals showed greater weight gain, but a higher fecal parasite egg count with no effect on the incidence of bovine demodecosis. Infection by gastrointestinal nematodes negatively influenced body weight gain and demodecosis in the animals.

A regenerative erythropoietic response does not increase the frequency of Pig-a mutant reticulocytes and erythrocytes in Sprague-Dawley rats.

The in vivo rodent Pig-a mutation assay is a sensitive test to identify exposure to mutagenic substances, and has been proposed as an assay for the identification of impurities for pharmaceuticals. Red blood cells (RBCs) and reticulocytes (RETs) are analyzed by flow cytometry after exposure to potentially mutagenic chemicals for cells deficient in the cell surface anchored protein CD59, representing mutation in the X-linked Pig-a gene. The full potential of the assay as well as its limitations are currently being explored. The current study investigated the effects of regenerative erythropoietic bone marrow responses on the frequency of Pig-a mutated reticulocytes (RETCD59- ) and erythrocytes (RBCCD59- ). We hypothesized that a robust regenerative erythropoietic response would not increase the basal frequency of RETCD59- or RBCCD59- cells. Two groups of six male Sprague-Dawley rats either had 2 mL of blood sampled each day via an indwelling catheter over a period of 5 days or were minimally sampled for hematology and used as controls. Blood was also then collected and evaluated 5, 18, and 49 days after the initial bleed period for the number of Pig-a mutant cells in either the RET or RBC population. Despite the expected decrease in hematocrit and the correlative increase in reticulocytes after bleeding, no increase in the number of Pig-a mutant cells was observed in male Sprague-Dawley rats that were bled for five consecutive days. These results indicate that changes in erythropoiesis and hematology parameters in rats appear to have no effect on the background levels of Pig-a mutated RETs and RBCs. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 59:91-95, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.