The effects of additive solutions on the development of storage lesions in canine platelet concentrates stored at 4°C.

OBJECTIVE: To assess platelet storage lesion development as evaluated by measurement of metabolic markers, platelet activation markers, and aggregometry, and determine the occurrence of bacterial growth in platelets stored in platelet additive solution (PAS) at 4°C for 7 days. DESIGN: Prospective, ex vivo experimental controlled study. SETTING: Research laboratory of a university veterinary teaching hospital. ANIMALS: Ten units of canine platelet concentrate collected from blood bank donations. INTERVENTIONS: Concentrates were aliquoted into 4 separate bags containing 100% plasma (control) or 30% plasma and 70% of a PAS (Plasma-Lyte A, Isoplate, or InterSol). Samples were stored at 4°C without agitation. At days 0, 3, 5, and 7, samples were analyzed for platelet count, mean platelet volume, glucose, lactate, lactate dehydrogenase, Po2 , Pco2 , degree of swirling, aggregate formation, aggregation via light aggregometry, surface P-selectin via flow cytometry, and bacterial contamination via culture. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Development of storage lesions was minimal, demonstrated by maintenance of a mean pH > 7.2 and mean lactate values <6 mmol/L at day 7 in all solutions. Glucose utilization did not vary significantly between any of the solutions. No significant difference was found between plasma and PAS for Po2 and Pco2 . P-selectin expression measured via flow cytometry showed a low platelet activation percent in all the solutions. InterSol had the lowest mean maximum percent aggregation (P < 0.001) and Isoplate the highest (P < 0.05). The mean maximum percent aggregation increased between day 0 and day 7 in all solutions. No bacterial growth was found in any of the solutions. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, PASs were comparable to plasma for the cold storage of platelets. Cold-stored platelets showed minimal storage lesion development with no bacterial growth. Plasma-, Plasma-Lyte A-, and Isoplate-stored platelets maintained function for up to 7 days at 4°C.

Prevalence of selected infectious disease agents in stray cats in Catalonia, Spain.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the current study was to investigate the prevalence rates of the following infectious agents in 116 stray cats in the Barcelona area of Spain: Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Bartonella species, Borrelia burgdorferi, Chlamydia felis, Dirofilaria immitis, Ehrlichia species, feline calicivirus (FCV), feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1), feline leukaemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), haemoplasmas, Mycoplasma species and Rickettsia species. METHODS: Serum antibodies were used to estimate the prevalence of exposure to A phagocytophilum, Bartonella species, B burgdorferi, Ehrlichia species and FIV; serum antigens were used to assess for infection by D immitis and FeLV; and molecular assays were used to amplify nucleic acids of Anaplasma species, Bartonella species, C felis, D immitis, Ehrlichia species, FCV, FHV-1, haemoplasmas, Mycoplasma species and Rickettsia species from blood and nasal or oral swabs. RESULTS: Of the 116 cats, 63 (54.3%) had evidence of infection by Bartonella species, FeLV, FIV or a haemoplasma. Anaplasma species, Ehrlichia species or Rickettsia species DNA was not amplified from these cats. A total of 18/116 cats (15.5%) were positive for FCV RNA (six cats), Mycoplasma species DNA (six cats), FHV-1 DNA (three cats) or C felis DNA (three cats). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This study documents that shelter cats in Catalonia are exposed to many infectious agents with clinical and zoonotic significance, and that flea control is indicated for cats in the region.

Serum concentrations of the derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) in dogs with leishmaniosis.

Leishmania infantum interferes with the oxidative metabolism of phagocytes. In order to assess whether derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) decrease due to infection or increase due to inflammation, d-ROMs were measured in serum collected from control dogs (Group 1; n = 12), from dogs seropositive for Leishmania either symptomatic (Group 2; n = 27) or not (Group 3; n = 14), and from dogs with other diseases (Group 4; n = 16). The concentrations of d-ROMs in the four groups, expressed in Carratelli Units (U CARR) were, respectively, 75.4 ± 39.5 (median, 81.6), 108.2 ± 96.3 (73.4), 73.5 ± 62.2 (62.0), 127.7 ± 97.3 (94.3). There were no significant differences between groups, but dogs with values higher than the reference interval were found, mostly in Groups 2 and 4 (which had serum C-reactive protein levels consistent with inflammation), whilst low values were occasionally found in Groups 2 and 3. Inflammation may mask decreases in d-ROMs induced by Leishmania infection.