Cytological Bone Marrow Cell Differential Counts and Morphologic Findings in Healthy Cynomolgus Monkeys ( Macaca fascicularis) from Nonclinical Toxicology Studies.

Cytological bone marrow evaluation is utilized in nonclinical toxicology studies to characterize hematopoietic effects when the combined interpretation of histologic and complete blood count data does not yield sufficient information. Results from cytological bone marrow examination should be interpreted in the context of variability observed in concurrent control animals with consideration of cytologist experience and historical/published data. Cytological bone marrow differential counts and cellular morphologic findings from 130 (66 male, 64 female) healthy control cynomolgus monkeys from nonclinical toxicology studies were retrospectively analyzed. Myeloid to erythroid (M:E) ratios and the percentage of total cells for each cell type were determined from differential cell count data. M:E ratios ranged from 0.6:1 to 2.3:1. Percentages of total granulocytic cells, total erythroid cells, and lymphocytes ranged from 26.6% to 60.6%, 25.7% to 52.2%, and 5.5% to 40.4%, respectively. Monocytes, plasma cells, mast cells, and mitotic figures were typically <1% of total cells. Notable morphologic findings included occasional giant neutrophilic metamyelocytes and band neutrophils, ring-shaped band neutrophil nuclei, metarubricyte nuclear blebbing and binucleation, multiple or nonfused megakaryocyte nuclei, and emperipolesis. These results represent cytological bone marrow findings from healthy control cynomolgus monkeys utilized in nonclinical toxicology studies and provide insight into expected background variability.

Baseline haematological parameters in three common Australian frog species.

Amphibians are experiencing declines globally, with emerging infectious diseases as one of the main causes. Haematological parameters present a useful method for determining the health status of animals and the effects of particular diseases, but the interpretation of differential cell counts relies on knowing the normal ranges for the species and factors that can affect these counts. However, there is very little data on either normal haematological parameters or guides for blood cell types for free-ranging frog species across the world. This study aims to 1) create a visual guide for three different Australian frog species: Litoria paraewingi, Limnodynastes dumerilii, and Crinia signifera, 2) determine the proportions of erythrocytes to leukocytes and 3) differential leukocytes within blood smears from these three species and 4) assess the association between parasites and differential counts. We collected blood samples from free-ranging frogs and analysed blood smears. We also looked for ectoparasites and tested for the fungal disease chytridiomycosis. Overall, we found that the differentials of erythrocytes to leukocytes were not affected by species, but the proportions of different leukocytes did vary across species. For example, while lymphocytes were the most common type of leukocyte across the three species, eosinophils were relatively common in Limnodynastes dumerilii but rarely present in the other two species. We noted chytridiomycosis infection as well as ectoparasites present in some individuals but found no effect of parasites on blood parameters. Our results add baseline haematological parameters for three Australian frog species and provide an example of how different frog species can vary in their differential blood cell counts. More information is needed on frog haematological data before these parameters can be used to determine the health status of wild or captive frogs.

Investigations of leukocyte and inflammatory markers in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVES: Preeclampsia is a frequent and potentially fatal pregnancy complication. It can be challenging to make a timely diagnosis. Identifying clinically useful biochemical markers would be a remedying tool to support the diagnosis of preeclampsia. The aim was to investigate differential cell counts and acute phase reactants as diagnostic markers of preeclamptic third-trimester pregnancies and in relation to pregnancy term, gravidity and the severity of hypertension. METHODS: Based on a cohort of 421 pregnant women, we included 174 participants (case n = 84, control n = 90) during the third trimester. Peripheral blood was sampled to measure differential white blood cell counts and acute phase reactants on the day of inclusion. RESULTS: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and plasma haptoglobin levels were significantly increased in healthy pregnancies compared with preeclamptic pregnancies. Plasma ferritin levels and albumin levels were respectively increased and decreased in cases of preeclampsia compared with controls. Albumin was specific among multigravida. Plasma transferrin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were significantly decreased and increased, respectively, in cases with preterm preeclampsia compared with term preeclampsia. CONCLUSION: Plasma ferritin and albumin levels reflected higher inflammation in cases with preeclampsia compared with healthy pregnancies; the same did plasma transferrin and hs-CRP levels in preterm versus term preeclampsia. When considering the normal ranges plasma albumin and hs-CRP levels identified preeclamptic from healthy third-trimester pregnancies and preterm from term preeclampsia cases, respectively, with near-acceptable diagnostic performances. Further validation of the diagnostic value will require larger sample-sized studies with paired plasma and serum samples.

Cell Count Differentials by Cytomorphology and Next-Generation Flow Cytometry in Bone Marrow Aspirate: An Evidence-Based Approach.

Despite a lack of evidence, a bone marrow aspirate differential of 500 cells is commonly used in the clinical setting. We aimed to test the performance of 200-cell counts for daily hematological workup. In total, 660 consecutive samples were analyzed recording differentials at 200 and 500 cells. Additionally, immunophenotype results and preanalytical issues were also evaluated. Clinical and statistical differences between both cutoffs and both methods were checked. An independent control group of 122 patients was included. All comparisons between both cutoffs and both methods for all relevant types of cells did not show statistically significant differences. No significant diagnostic discrepancies were demonstrated in the contingency table analysis. This is a real-life study, and some limitations may be pointed out, such as a different sample sizes according to the type of cell in the immunophenotype analysis, the lack of standardization of some preanalytical events, and the relatively small sample size of the control group. The comparisons of differentials by morphology on 200 and 500 cells, as well as by morphology (both cutoffs) and by immunophenotype, are equivalent from the clinical and statistical point of view. The preanalytical issues play a critical role in the assessment of bone marrow aspirate samples.