Utility of immature platelet fraction in the Sysmex XN-1000V for the differential diagnosis of central and peripheral thrombocytopenia in dogs and cats.

BACKGROUND: The immature platelet fraction (IPF), a parameter obtained by the Sysmex XN-1000V analyzer, is used in humans to differentiate between central (CEN) and peripheral (PER) thrombocytopenia (TP) but has not been evaluated in small animals. OBJECTIVES: Compare IPF between healthy, clinical non-TP and TP dogs and cats, study IPF in different causes of TP in dogs and cats and, establish IPF reference intervals (RIs), and study the effect of age and sex on IPF in healthy dogs and cats. ANIMALS: A total of 3281 dogs and 726 cats. METHODS: Retrospective review of medical records. Animals were classified as nonthrombocytopenic (healthy group and group of clinical patients without TP [NTP]) or TP. These latter animals were subclassified as pseudothrombocytopenia (PSE), CEN and PER, based on evaluation of platelet clumps, estimated platelet count in blood smears and final diagnosis. Blood samples were evaluated using a Sysmex XN-1000V with a specific platelet channel (PLT-F). RESULTS: The IPF was significantly different between each subtype of TP in both species. Immature platelet fractions <6.9% in dogs or 13.6% in cats, once PSE has been eliminated by review of blood smears, are indicative of CEN. Reference intervals for IPF were 0.5%-8% in healthy dogs and 1%-40.3% in healthy cats. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: We determined that IPF can differentiate between CEN and PER in dogs and cats, guiding additional testing and avoiding more invasive procedures (bone marrow sampling). A blood smear always should be evaluated to rule out platelet clumping.

Effects of canine influenza infection and DA2PP vaccination on the development of platelet-associated immunoglobulins and platelet counts in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is commonly associated with platelet-associated immunoglobulins (PAIg). Demonstration of PAIg can help determine etiologies for thrombocytopenia. In humans, ITP and thrombocytopenia have been associated with various vaccinations and influenza infections, respectively. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate platelet counts and PAIg in research dogs with H3N2 and in research and client-owned dogs routinely vaccinated for distemper, adenovirus-2, parainfluenza, and parvovirus (DA2PP). The hypotheses were that H3N2 infection but not DA2PP vaccination would decrease platelet counts, and neither would result in the detection of PAIg. METHODS: Three pilot studies. Platelet counts and PAIg, measured by direct flow cytometry as %IgG, were evaluated in eight research Beagles following experimental infection with H3N2 (experiment 1), nine research Beagles vaccinated for DA2PP (experiment 2), and thirty client-owned dogs vaccinated for DA2PP (experiment 3). All animals were considered healthy at the start of the experiments. RESULTS: Transient, self-resolving decreases in platelet counts and increases in %IgG occurred following H3N2 infection, and one dog became thrombocytopenic and positive for PAIg. Following DA2PP vaccination, %IgG increased in research and client-owned dogs, but only one dog was considered positive for PAIg with a concurrent increase in platelet count. Mean PAIg increased from baseline in client-owned dogs following vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: Transient PAIg and thrombocytopenia can occur following H3N2 infection, while routine vaccination for DA2PP in this group of dogs was not associated with the development of thrombocytopenia or clinically relevant formation of PAIg.

Prognostic potential of inflammatory markers, oxidative status, thrombocyte indices, and renal biochemical markers in neonatal calf diarrhoea-induced systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

The study aimed to assess the prognostic value of inflammatory markers, indicators of oxidative stress, thrombocyte indices, and renal biochemical markers in neonatal calf diarrhoea (NCD) induced by systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) upon admission. A prospective, observational, and case-control study was conducted on 56 calves diagnosed with NCD. Mean concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine (Crea) were measured. Furthermore, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were also calculated for SIRS survivors [SIRS (survivor)] and non-survivors [SIRS (non-survivor)] induced by NCD. A prognostic cut-off value for predicting the prognosis of the SIRS's induced by NCD was obtained via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Upon admission, the SIRS (non-survivor) calves had significantly higher (P < .001) average levels of IL-6, MDA, BUN, Crea, MPV, and PDW compared to the SIRS (survivor) calves and significantly lower (P < .001) average levels of GSH. Despite an apparent increase in the NLR and PLR values of calves diagnosed with SIRS, no significant difference was found between the survival and non-survivor SIRS cases. Positive predictive values (PPVs) for survival were determined as 100 %, 100 %, 80 %, 100 %, 80 %, and 80 %, respectively, using cut-off values of IL-6 (≤259.67 ng/L), MDA (≤2.87 nmol/mL), MPV (≤12.5 fL), PDW (≤34.25 %), BUN (≤168.3 mg/dL), and Crea (≤2.11 mg/dL). The determined threshold values are those obtained upon admission to the hospital. Based on the sensitivity, specificity, and PPVs derived from the ROC analysis, it has been concluded that IL-6, MDA, MPV, PDW, BUN, and Crea are the most relevant biomarkers used for predicting the prognosis of NCD-induced SIRS in calves. Furthermore, it is also noteworthy that IL-6 exhibited the highest effectiveness among all biomarkers.

Platelet count and MCHC as independent prognostic markers for feline mammary carcinomas.

Mammary neoplasms are common in felines species and represent a significant disease for its unfavorable prognosis. Changes in the blood count and serum biochemical profile of these patients have potential as non-invasive prognostic markers prior to mastectomy, however, they are poorly described in literature. In this study univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using these factors to determine the effect of each parameter on the one-year survival time after the surgical procedure in these animals. The median overall survival (OS) and the disease-free survival (DFS) were 365 and 242 days, respectively. In univariate analysis, values within the reference range of monocyte, platelet and creatinine counts were identified as significant prognostic factors for OS and only creatinine was significant for DFS (P < 0.05). In the multivariate analysis, platelets and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) remained independent prognostic factors for OS. The results presented suggest that monocytes, platelets and creatinine may be important non-invasive pre-surgical prognostic markers, and that platelet count and MCHC are independent prognostic markers for feline mammary carcinomas (FMC). The correlation between such alterations is of important relevance for veterinary oncology, and prospective studies are needed to validate their clinical use and that platelet count and MCHC are independent prognostic markers for FMC. The results found in this study can also be studied in human medicine, regarding blood markers in human breast cancer (HBC).

Thromboelastographic evaluation in dogs with Asian pit viper (Gloydius) envenomation.

The objective of this study was to investigate the thromboelastography (TEG) variables and platelet count after Asian pit viper (Gloydius) envenomation in dogs compared with healthy control dogs. Ten dogs with snake envenomation and twenty healthy dogs were included. There was a significant decrease in G (P=0.017), maximum amplitude (MA) (P=0.012), angle value (P=0.041), platelet count (P<0.001, as well as an increase in K value (P=0.034) and R value (P=0.007) in dogs with snake envenomation. The results of this study revealed that dogs with Asian pit viper (Gloydius) envenomation showed a hypocoagulable state compared with healthy dogs. Our findings may support the use of TEG for diagnosing and monitoring coagulopathy after Asian pit viper (Gloydius) envenomation in dogs.

Performance of the Sysmex XN-V hematology analyzer in determining the immature platelet fraction in dogs: A preliminary study and reference values.

BACKGROUND: Immature platelets (IPs) are newly formed platelets released into circulation that have been demonstrated as good markers of thrombopoiesis. Although many flow cytometric and fully automated-based methods are available, the latest Sysmex XN-V hematology analyzer for veterinary use is equipped with a specific fluorescent platelet channel (PLT-F) that detects platelets using a platelet-specific dye. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to evaluate the performance of the Sysmex XSN-1000 V in determining the IPF (immature platelet fraction) and other selected PLT-F channel parameters and to propose IPF reference intervals (RIs) for canine blood samples. METHODS: Canine EDTA blood samples were analyzed on the Sysmex XN-1000 V to assess linearity, imprecision, carryover, stability, and the effect of platelet clumping on selected platelet parameters from the PLT-F channel. We also reported the de novo generated RIs for the IPF in dogs. RESULTS: Imprecision was acceptable (CV <10%) for all parameters except for the absolute IPF values (IPF#), in which the reproducibility was 12.15% for the normal-low concentration samples. Linearity and carryover were excellent for all variables. Relative IPF values (IPF %) and IPF# remained stable for both storage conditions for up to 48 hours; however, a nonsignificant progressive increase in these parameters was observed from 12 hours at 4°C. We observed a statistical increase in IPF% and IPF# and a statistically significant decrease in PLT-F counts after intentional in vitro platelet aggregation. RIs were generated for all reference samples (n = 69) and for samples with (n = 25) or without (n = 44) platelet clumps. CONCLUSIONS: The performance of the new PLT-F channel-derived variables for dogs was excellent. Specific RIs for IPF should be used when platelet aggregates are present.

Thrombocytosis in 158 cats (2011-2018).

OBJECTIVES: Thrombocytosis is an uncommon hematologic abnormality that is associated with various physiologic, metabolic, inflammatory and neoplastic conditions in people and dogs. Thrombocytosis is not a well-described abnormality in cats. The objective of this study was to classify thrombocytosis in cats based on underlying disease processes and severity, and to compare this with a control population of cats. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted by reviewing the medical records of cats with increased (>600 × 103/µl; thrombocytosis group) and normal (200-600 × 103/µl; 2:1 age-matched control group) platelet counts between 2011 and 2018. Platelet counts were estimated based on blood smear assessment in all cats. Cats were classified by the severity (mild, moderate or marked) of thrombocytosis. Diagnoses were recorded for all cases, and were classified broadly into either neoplasia, endocrine or inflammatory disease. RESULTS: In total, 158 cats were identified with thrombocytosis, with 315 cats in the control group. Non-neoplastic inflammatory disease was the most common diagnosis in both groups (54.4% in cats with thrombocytosis and 56.2% in controls; P = 0.77); however, gastrointestinal diseases were more common in cats with thrombocytosis (75.6%) when compared with controls (34.5%; P <0.0001). Neoplasia was diagnosed more frequently in cats with thrombocytosis (44.3%) compared with the control group (25.4%; P <0.0001). Round cell tumor was the most common neoplasia diagnosis in both groups, but gastrointestinal and multicentric lymphoma were diagnosed more frequently in cats with thrombocytosis compared with control cats. No association between the severity of thrombocytosis and etiology was identified. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Thrombocytosis in cats is more commonly associated with gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary or immune-mediated diseases when compared with a control population. Neoplasia, especially multicentric and gastrointestinal lymphoma, was more commonly diagnosed in cats with thrombocytosis when compared with control cats.

Lymphopenia predicts reduced survival in canine hepatocellular carcinoma.

Platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) is a prognostic marker in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) however, its utility in canine HCC has not been explored. The aim of the study was to determine if PLR could predict survival outcomes in 42 dogs with HCC. PLR was not a significant predictive factor (p = 0.15) but lymphopenia alone was significantly correlated with a reduced probability of survival (p = 0.024). Further studies are needed to evaluate if peripheral lymphocyte count mirrors that of the tumor microenvironment in canine HCC.

Extended sample storage for platelet function testing in healthy dogs.

BACKGROUND: Platelet function testing is important for monitoring the effects of antiplatelet therapy but is not readily used due to time constraints for testing and the need for specialized equipment. OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effects of various storage methods on selected platelet function tests to determine if delayed platelet function testing is feasible in canine blood samples. Our hypotheses were that platelet function would not decline during storage and, thus, no differences in test results would be found over time. METHODS: Thirteen healthy dogs were studied. Citrated blood samples were tested with a Platelet Function Analyzer-200 (PFA), which mimics high-shear conditions, using P2Y and CADP cartridges, after being held at room temperature for 2 h and refrigerated for 24 and 48 h. Plateletworks (PW), which measures aggregation based on platelet counting, was performed on an optical hematology analyzer using 10-min-old native samples, citrated samples held at room temperature for 3-4 h and refrigerated for 24 and 48 h, and samples stored in the preservative solution, AGGFix, up to 7 days. RESULTS: PFA closure times increased with storage, especially with the P2Y cartridge. Median aggregation with fresh PW was 94%, and this was maintained at all time points (range of median values 88%-94%). Most samples showed decreased, yet still robust (>70%), aggregation with longer storage. Spontaneous aggregation in citrate was noted in most dogs. AGGFix stabilized platelet aggregates to allow for delayed testing. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed platelet function testing is feasible, but ranges of expected values may differ from tests using fresh samples.

Reference interval for the C-ACT activated clotting time test in healthy dogs using a water bath and manual assessment of clot formation.

AIMS: To establish a reference range for the canine C-ACT activated clotting time (ACT) test using a water bath and visual clot assessment technique. METHODS: Healthy, privately owned dogs (n = 48) were prospectively recruited to the study. Blood samples were collected via direct jugular venipuncture for complete blood count, serum biochemistry analysis and measurement of prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Five animals with major abnormalities or who became agitated during phlebotomy were excluded. For the 43 remaining animals, 2 mL of blood was collected via the cephalic vein and added directly to a C-ACT tube that was shaken vigorously before being placed in a water bath at 37°C. Tubes were visually assessed for clot formation and C-ACT was recorded in seconds when the magnet within the tube lodged in the clot. RESULTS: The nonparametric reference interval (capturing the central 95% of the data) was 50-80 seconds, with a 90% CI for the lower limit of 50-55 seconds and a 90% CI for the upper limit of 75-80 seconds. The C-ACT ACT test had a positive correlation with aPTT (0.42; 95% CI = 0.13-0.64). There was no evidence of a correlation between C-ACT ACT and age, weight, PT, haematocrit, white blood cell count, platelet count or total protein. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The results of this study suggest that the normal reference interval for ACT in dogs using C-ACT tubes in a 37°C water bath is 50-80 seconds. Care should be taken extrapolating the results of this study to the general population, as the smaller study design had less control for confounders than a larger study. However, when using the described analytical methods, C-ACT tube ACT test results >80 seconds should be considered prolonged in dogs and should prompt further investigation.

Dose-dependent effect of canine lyophilized platelet on an in vitro hemodilution model.

The transfusion of stored platelets has emerged as an efficient method for treating dogs with thrombocytopenia. However, the availability of fresh platelets is limited in veterinary medicine due to demanding storage conditions. Lyophilized platelets have long shelf lives and can be easily stored, increasing their accessibility for thrombocytopenic dogs. Due to the lack of research and information on the dose effect, canine lyophilized platelets are used at a clinical dosage without research-based evidence. This study was to evaluate the dose effect of lyophilized canine platelets on blood coagulability. Three different concentrations of lyophilized canine platelets were added to in vitro hemodilution blood model, increasing the platelet count by 25, 50, and 100 × 106/ml and coagulation profiles were analyzed. The coagulability was evaluated via the plasma fibrinogen concentration, coagulation time, thromboelastography (TEG), and platelet function analyzer (PFA). Higher concentrations of lyophilized platelets showed dose-dependent association with decreased aPTT and R-time of TEG and increased alpha angle and MA of TEG. These results showed the potential that the higher dose of canine lyophilized platelets better improve blood coagulability than the standard dose and provided the basis for further safety and clinical studies.

Contribution of Hemogram Plan in the Horse's Clinical Evaluation.

The interpretation of the blood count is essential to help the equine clinician in the diagnosis, prognosis, patient management, and control of equine diseases. Hematologic alterations often reflect the condition of the individual or an overall response to a pathological situation. A thorough clinical examination of the patient is essential to correctly interpret the hematological results. The most common abnormalities in the erythrogram are mainly anemia and polycythemia. The frequent causes of anemia in horses are acute and chronic blood loss, hemolytic anemia, and anemia caused by chronic disease. Evaluation of leukogram, including a total white cell count, a differential cell count, absolute numbers of specific leukocytes can help identify abnormalities that may suggest specific diseases such as a viral or bacterial infection, inflammatory disorders or even a neoplastic process. The platelet count is most often used to monitor or diagnose conditions that cause too much bleeding related with thrombocytopenia; it can be due to multiple mechanisms such as reduction of thrombopoiesis (myeloptisis, myelofibrosis, myeloproliferative disease, and idiopathic medullary aplasias or due to the effect of mielosuppresive drugs), increased peripheral destruction of platelets (immune mediated thrombocytopenia), consumption (dissemined intravascular coagulation) sequestration of the spleen and loss of platelets by idiopathic origin.

Retrospective evaluation of fresh platelet concentrate administration in dogs: Patient characteristics, outcomes, and transfusion practices in 189 transfusion episodes (2008-2019).

OBJECTIVE: To describe patient characteristics, underlying disease processes, clinical outcomes, transfusion dose and type (therapeutic or prophylactic), platelet count changes, and adverse events associated with platelet concentrate (PC) administration in dogs. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: University teaching hospital. ANIMALS: A total of 149 dogs, representing 189 PC transfusion episodes. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In this population, 39 of 149 dogs (26.2%) were diagnosed with primary immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, 22 of 149 (14.8%) had decreased bone marrow production, 12 of 149 (8.0%) received PC during a massive transfusion, 3 of 149 (2.0%) had congenital thrombocytopathia, 59 of 149 (39.6%) had severe thrombocytopenia of other causes, and 14 of 149 (9.4%) underwent transfusion for miscellaneous causes without a documented severe thrombocytopenia. In 117 of 149 dogs (78.5%), >1 site of hemorrhage was noted. The most common sites of hemorrhage were the gastrointestinal (GI) tract in 89 of 149 (59.7%) and the skin in 78 of 149 (52.3%). Overall survival to discharge was 59.1% (88/149). The median PC dose was 0.8 units per 10 kg of body weight per transfusion episode (range: 0.2-6.7). Of 189 episodes, 29 of 189 (15.7%) were prophylactic, and 158 of 189 (83.6%) were therapeutic. For 99 of 189 transfusion episodes, paired pre- and postplatelet counts were available within 24 hours. The median platelet count change was 5.0 × 109 /L (5000/µL; range: -115 × 109 /L to 158 × 109 /L [-115,000 to 158,000/µL]); the posttransfusion platelet count was significantly higher than pretransfusion (P < 0.0001). The increase in platelet count after transfusion was greater in the prophylactic group than the therapeutic group (P = 0.0167). Transfusion reactions were suspected during 2 of 168 episodes (1.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia was the most common disease process that resulted in PC transfusion. PC was more frequently administered to animals with active hemorrhage rather than prophylactically, and most dogs had evidence of hemorrhage in multiple organ systems, particularly the GI tract and skin. PC transfusions typically appeared safe, and the median platelet count increased after transfusion.

Amikacin disaggregates platelet clumps in EDTA blood samples from cats and dogs when added postcollection.

BACKGROUND: Pseudothrombocytopenia may lead to the erroneous diagnosis of thrombocytopenia, resulting in unnecessary testing and treatment. The addition of exogenous substances to blood samples prior to collection has been shown to mitigate platelet (PLT) clumps in blood samples. Postcollection additives aiming to disaggregate PLT clumps have been largely unexplored. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine if the addition of amikacin to blood samples postcollection aids in the disaggregation of PLT clumps in cats and dogs. METHODS: For this prospective study, EDTA-collected blood samples from 28 cats and 17 dogs were obtained from a hospital population at UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. Samples had PLT clumps detected on blood smears and thrombocytopenia per analyzer count. Amikacin was added to samples postcollection, and an additional CBC was performed. Flow cytometry was performed to assess PLT-fibrinogen binding in amikacin-treated aliquots. RESULTS: PLT-clumped samples treated with amikacin significantly increased PLT numbers by 134% and decreased mean platelet volume (MPV) values by 14% (P ≤ 0.0001) in cats, and increased PLT numbers by 32% (P = 0.04) and increased MPV values by 9% (P = 0.02) in dogs. Mean cell volume (MCV) slightly increased (<4%) for both species. No other CBC parameters were substantially affected by the addition of amikacin. Flow cytometry showed decreased PLT-fibrinogen binding in the majority of cats but was not significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Adding amikacin to PLT-clumped blood samples postcollection may be a convenient solution for pseudothrombocytopenia in cats and dogs. Future studies are needed to elucidate the mechanism of amikacin and its effectiveness under different storage conditions. This is the first reported use of amikacin postcollection to disaggregate PLT clumps in blood samples from animals.

Hemostatic Testing in Companion Exotic Mammals.

The mammalian hemostatic system is highly conserved, and companion exotic mammals are commonly used as biomedical models for normal and disordered hemostasis. Challenges associated with sample collection, test validation, and test interpretation have limited the use of these tests in clinical exotic animal practice. However, evaluation of platelet counts, coagulation screening times, and fibrin(ogen) degradation products can be valuable for monitoring exotic patients with a range of disease presentations including intoxications, anemia, systemic viral disease, hepatopathy, and endocrinopathy.

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.

Investigation of platelet measurands in dogs with hematologic neoplasia.

INTRODUCTION: Thrombocytopenia has been associated with some neoplastic processes, including hematologic neoplasia. There is no information regarding specific changes in platelet measurands in dogs with hematologic neoplasia compared with healthy dogs. The objectives of our study were to establish RIs, evaluate platelet measurands in dogs with hematologic neoplasia, and compare these measurands in patients with hematologic malignancies with or without thrombocytopenia. METHODS: This was a retrospective study. Platelet measurands were determined using the ADVIA 120 Hematology analyzer when a CBC was performed and included the platelet count, MPV, platelet distribution width (PDW), plateletcrit (PCT), mean platelet component (MPC), platelet component distribution width (PCDW), mean platelet mass (MPM), platelet mass distribution width (PMDW), and number of large platelets. Reference intervals were determined retrospectively using data from 129 healthy dogs. Patients with hematologic neoplasia (n = 50) were identified through retrospective evaluation of medical records from the Auburn University Veterinary Teaching Hospital and separated into thrombocytopenic (n = 20) and nonthrombocytopenic groups (n = 30). RESULTS: Platelet count and PCT were significantly higher in older healthy dogs compared with younger dogs. Significant differences were identified when comparing healthy dogs with those with hematologic neoplasia without thrombocytopenia for PDW, PCDW, PMDW, and the number of large platelets, indicating the presence of more heterogeneous platelets. Thrombocytopenic dogs with hematologic neoplasia had significantly decreased MPCs and increased MPVs, MPMs, and PCDWs compared with nonthrombocytopenic dogs with neoplasia. CONCLUSIONS: Dogs with hematologic neoplasia had more heterogeneous platelets, whereas thrombocytopenic patients with neoplasia had more activated platelets.

Stability of hematologic analytes in New Zealand white rabbits using an impedance-based analyzer.

BACKGROUND: The validity of hematologic data is crucial for correctly diagnosing certain conditions and providing accurate research results. However, delays in blood testing are inevitable. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine whether prolonged storage at different temperatures affects CBC measurand stability in rabbit whole blood using the impedance-based Scil Vet ABC hematology analyzer. METHODS: Hematologic tests were performed on whole blood samples collected from 20 New Zealand white rabbits at <1 hour post-blood collection as the baseline and at 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours post-blood collection, with aliquots stored at 21 and 4°C. CBC measurand stability was determined by comparing the obtained values at each time point to the baseline value. Statistically significant variations were compared with current quality specifications to determine if a meaningful bias existed. RESULTS: Hematocrit, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration remained stable for 72 hours in blood stored at 4°C. No meaningful bias was observed for mean corpuscular volume after 48 and 72 hours of storage at 4°C. Only the white blood cell count was stable for 72 hours at 21°C. The platelet count, hemoglobin concentration, and mean platelet volume were not stable at 6 hours post-blood collection at either temperature. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that the hematocrit can be tested for 72 hours in blood stored at 4°C, without a significant change from the baseline value. However, if all hematologic measurands are of interest, the immediate testing of blood samples, namely <1 hour post-blood collection, remains highly recommended.

Amikacin prevents platelet aggregation in feline venous blood samples.

INTRODUCTION: Physiologically, feline platelets are more reactive and prone to aggregation, which interferes with platelet counts using automated counters and manual methods. The use of aminoglycoside amikacin in association with EDTA has proven to be efficient in preventing platelet aggregates in cases of pseudo thrombocytopenia (PTP) in people. OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the efficacy of amikacin in preventing platelet aggregation in EDTA-containing feline blood samples and investigated the possible effects on hematologic measurands. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood samples (1.0 mL) collected from 100 healthy cats were stored in two EDTA tubes: 0.5 mL in a microtube containing 10 µL of 250 mg/mL amikacin (EDTA-AMK group) and 0.5 mL in a microtube containing only K2 EDTA 10% (EDTA group). A CBC was executed with an automated impedance blood analyzer, and a microscopic examination of the blood smears was performed. RESULTS: Platelet clumps were observed in 56% of samples from the EDTA group and 5% of samples from the EDTA-AMK group. Platelet counts (PLT), plateletcrit (PCT), and WBC counts were significantly higher (P < .001) in the EDTA-AMK group compared withi the EDTA group. CONCLUSIONS: Amikacin prevents platelet aggregation in feline venous blood samples and does not cause clinically relevant changes in other hematologic measurands. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing the use of amikacin in preventing platelet aggregation in feline blood samples. Based on this study, amikacin could be added to EDTA collection tubes for complete blood counts in cats.