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International Journal For Parasitology.... Dec 2013The prevalence of five avian haemoparasite groups was examined for effects on health and associations with extrinsic factors. Overall, 786 samples were examined from six...
The prevalence of five avian haemoparasite groups was examined for effects on health and associations with extrinsic factors. Overall, 786 samples were examined from six sites in two Georgia (USA) watersheds, during breeding and non-breeding periods in 2010 and 2011. Among the four most commonly infected species, Haemoproteus prevalence was significantly higher in Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) compared to Indigo Buntings (Passerina cyanea) and Tufted Titmice (Baeolophus bicolor) while prevalence in White-throated Sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis) was significantly higher than in Indigo Buntings. Higher prevalence of Plasmodium was noted in Tufted Titmice and Northern Cardinals. While Leucocytozoon prevalence was highest in White-throated Sparrows, Trypanosoma prevalence was highest in Tufted Titmice. Interesting differences in infection probabilities were noted between foraging guilds with Haemoproteus associated with low-middle level strata and birds in the middle-upper strata were more likely to be infected with Plasmodium and Trypanosoma. In contrast, ground-foraging birds were more likely to be infected with Leucocytozoon. Breeding season was correlated with higher polychromasia counts and higher prevalence of Haemoproteus, Plasmodium and Trypanosoma. In addition, prevalence of infection with certain haemoparasite genera and packed cell volume (PCV) were different among host species. Body mass index was inversely correlated with prevalence of microfilaria infection but positively related to Haemoproteus infection. However, we found no relationship between PCV or polychromasia levels with haemoparasite infection. Molecular characterization of 61 samples revealed 19 unique Haemoproteus (n = 7) and Plasmodium (n = 12) haplotypes with numerous new host records. No differences were noted in haplotype diversity among birds with different migratory behaviors or foraging heights, thus additional studies are needed that incorporate molecular analysis, host biology, and vector biology into comprehensive models on parasite ecology. Detailed morphological examination of these parasites is also necessary to determine if closely related haplotypes represent single species or morphologically distinct, but closely related, haplotypes.
PubMed: 24533333
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2013.04.005 -
Retrospective and Prospective Investigations about "Quatrefoil" Erythrocytes in Canine Blood Smears.Veterinary Medicine International 2014The presence of unusual two RBCs patterns (so-called "quatrefoil RBCs," qRBCs) on canine blood smears at Optical Microscope (OM) was seen during routine evaluation of...
The presence of unusual two RBCs patterns (so-called "quatrefoil RBCs," qRBCs) on canine blood smears at Optical Microscope (OM) was seen during routine evaluation of CBCs. Two consecutive retrospective investigations were arranged including about 7,000 CBCs and clinical records and laboratory data from dogs showing qRBCs. Few samples with qRBCs were prepared for Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). qRBCs were found in 6.89% (139 of 2016) and 8.47% (133 of 1569) of dogs and in 3.89% (154 of 3,958) and 4.47% (138 of 3,081) of CBCs (some dogs were tested more than once). Statistical analysis was significant for age groups (Chi squared, P < 0.0001), decreased total leukocyte and neutrophil counts (ANOVA, P < 0.0001), RBCs anisocytosis, polychromasia, and Howell-Jolly bodies (ANOVA, P < 0.018, <0.005, and <0.003, respectively). qRBCs were distributed in the area of feathered edge and at the smear side of body-feathered edge area in blood films. SEM ruled out the possibility of an optical illusion or an accidental overlap. qRBCs are associated with ageing of dogs, total leukocyte and neutrophil counts, and RBC anisocytosis, polychromasia, and Howell-Jolly bodies. Few hypotheses were discussed to explain the origin and meaning of this RBC arrangement.
PubMed: 24511413
DOI: 10.1155/2014/409573 -
International Journal of General... 2013Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is one of the most common human enzyme deficiencies in the world. It is particularly common in populations living in...
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is one of the most common human enzyme deficiencies in the world. It is particularly common in populations living in malaria-endemic areas, affecting more than 400 million people worldwide. This present study was conducted with the aim of determining the prevalence of G6PD deficiency among children visiting the Emergency Paediatric Unit of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital for pediatric-related care. The study included 118 children, made up of 77 (65.3%) males and 41 (34.7%) females aged ≤5 years with mean age of 3.26 ± 1.90 years. Randox G6PD quantitative in vitro test screening was used for the diagnosis of G6PD deficiency. Of the 118 children tested, 17 (14.4%) were G6PD-deficient. Prevalence of G6PD deficiency was concentrated predominantly among male children (22.1%). Male sex was significantly correlated with G6PD deficiency among the children studied (r = 7.85, P = 0.01). The highest prevalence occurred among children in the 2- to 5-year age-group. Of the 17 G6PD-deficient children, twelve (70.2%) were moderately deficient, while five (29.4%) were severely deficient. Blood film from G6PD-deficient children indicated the following morphological changes; Heinz bodies, schistocytes, target cells, nucleated red cells, spherocytes, and polychromasia. This present study has shown a high prevalence of G6PD deficiency among children residing in Sokoto in the northwestern geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The study indicated a male sex bias in the prevalence of G6PD deficiency among the children studied. There is a need for the routine screening of children for G6PD deficiency in our environment, to allow for evidence-based management of these children and to ensure the avoidance of food, drugs, and infective agents that can potentially predispose these children to oxidative stress as well as diseases that deplete micronutrients that protect against oxidative stress. There is need to build capacity in our setting among pediatricians to ensure the effective management of children with G6PD deficiency.
PubMed: 23874116
DOI: 10.2147/IJGM.S43757 -
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology : JDD Jan 2013We report a case of hemolytic anemia in a female patient with juvenile dermatomyositis. Rapidly progressive hemolysis developed during prednisone and azathioprine...
We report a case of hemolytic anemia in a female patient with juvenile dermatomyositis. Rapidly progressive hemolysis developed during prednisone and azathioprine combination therapy 4 days after completing intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment. While the blood smear revealed spherocytes and polychromasia, direct and indirect antiglobulin tests were negative. In the following case report, we propose probable IVIG-induced hemolytic anemia and explore the pathomechanisms that may account for hemolysis.
Topics: Anemia, Hemolytic; Biopsy; Child; Dermatomyositis; Erythrocyte Count; Female; Haptoglobins; Hemoglobins; Humans; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; Musculoskeletal Pain; Skin
PubMed: 23377338
DOI: No ID Found -
Dermatology Online Journal Nov 2012Sclerosing blue nevus is an uncommon variant of common blue nevus and shows an amorphous blue appearance at the edges with a hypopigmented center. Herein we present a...
Sclerosing blue nevus is an uncommon variant of common blue nevus and shows an amorphous blue appearance at the edges with a hypopigmented center. Herein we present a 48-year-old female with sclerosing cellular blue nevus with extraordinary clinical and dermoscopic features simulating melanoma. The association of a whitish scarlike area with a pigmented dot pattern prominent throughout the lesion was unusual for a sclerosing cellular blue nevus. Besides pattern asymmetry, polychromasia and linear irregular vessels increased the mimicry. This case illustrates the importance of surgical excision and histopathological examination.
Topics: Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Melanoma; Middle Aged; Nevus, Blue; Sclerosis; Skin Neoplasms
PubMed: 23217952
DOI: No ID Found -
Veterinary Clinical Pathology Jun 2012Degree of polychromasia and reticulocyte counts are commonly used in veterinary medicine to evaluate response to anemia. The quantitative association between these 2... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
BACKGROUND
Degree of polychromasia and reticulocyte counts are commonly used in veterinary medicine to evaluate response to anemia. The quantitative association between these 2 measurements has not been evaluated.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this retrospective study was to compare automated reticulocyte percents and counts with those of polychromatophilic cells on blood films from dogs.
METHODS
Blood films and medical records from 30 clinically healthy dogs and 60 anemic dogs were evaluated. Manual percentage of polychromatophilic cells (MPP) was determined by counting cells in 10 1000× fields, and automated reticulocyte percentage (ARP) was measured using an ADVIA 120 hematology analyzer; absolute polychromatophilic cell and reticulocyte counts were then calculated. Degree of polychromasia, estimated as slight, mild, moderate, marked was documented. Percentages and absolute counts of polychromatophilic cells and reticulocytes were compared using least squares regression and Pearson's correlation coefficients.
RESULTS
The reference interval for MPP in healthy dogs was 0.21-0.26%. Correlation between MPP and ARP was highest when all levels were considered (n = 60, r = .98, P < .0001), strong when ARP was > 5% (n = 20, r = .91, P < .0001), and poor when ARP was 1-2% (n = 20, r = .35, P < .0001). Results were similar for comparisons of absolute reticulocyte and polychromatophilic cell counts, with the best correlation found when all levels of counts were analyzed together (r = .96) and for automated reticulocyte counts > 150,000/μL (r = .94). Correlation of estimates of polychromasia with ARP was good (r = .83).
CONCLUSION
In anemic dogs MPP can be used for assessment of regeneration, especially in dogs with higher levels of ARP. Standard quantification of reticulocytes is more accurate in dogs with lesser degrees of regeneration.
Topics: Anemia; Animals; Blood Cell Count; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Hematologic Tests; Reticulocytes; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 22671286
DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-165X.2012.00432.x -
Veterinary Clinical Pathology Dec 2011Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) occurs in cattle; however, there are few reported cases.
BACKGROUND
Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) occurs in cattle; however, there are few reported cases.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of IMHA in cattle with anemia, describe the associated clinical and laboratory findings, including osmotic fragility, and identify potential causative infectious agents or drugs.
METHODS
This study included 42 anemic cattle (HCT < 27.5%) comprising 31 females and 11 bulls with a mean age of 3.5 years referred to the University of Tehran Veterinary Teaching Hospital during a 10-month period. CBCs, saline osmotic fragility tests, direct Coombs' tests, and biochemical profiles were performed, and blood smears were evaluated for spherocytosis, parasites, and microscopic agglutination. Five clinically healthy cattle were used as controls for testing osmotic fragility of RBCs.
RESULTS
The Coombs' test was positive in 13/42 (30%) cattle; 5 had no evidence of concurrent disease or history of drug administration, and 8 had underlying or concurrent diseases, positivity for BLV, or exposure to drugs. The HCT (mean ± SE) of Coombs'-positive cattle (16 ± 1.7%) was significantly lower than that of Coombs'-negative animals (21 ± 0.8%). Hematologic and biochemical findings in cattle with IMHA included anisocytosis (2), polychromasia (2), basophilic stippling (2), spherocytosis (2), hyperfibrinogenemia (5), left-shifted neutrophilia (3), and hyperbilirubinemia (8). RBCs from Coombs'-positive anemic cattle were more fragile than those from Coombs'-negative anemic cattle. Four osmotically different populations of RBCs were detected in cattle with IMHA, whereas RBC populations were homogeneous in the Coombs'-negative anemic cattle and in normal cattle.
CONCLUSION
IMHA was identified in a significant proportion of anemic cattle. Idiopathic IMHA and IMHA secondary to infectious diseases and administration of certain drugs occur in cattle.
Topics: Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune; Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Coombs Test; Female; Fibrinogen; Male; Osmotic Fragility; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination
PubMed: 22092649
DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-165X.2011.00354.x -
Journal of the American Veterinary... Jun 2011To determine diagnostic accuracy of using erythrocyte indices and polychromasia to identify regenerative anemia in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To determine diagnostic accuracy of using erythrocyte indices and polychromasia to identify regenerative anemia in dogs.
DESIGN
Retrospective and prospective cross-sectional study.
ANIMALS
4,521 anemic dogs.
PROCEDURES
CBC results obtained between July 2002 and July 2008 by use of an automated laser-based flow cytometric hematology analyzer from dogs with Hct values ≤ 35% were retrieved. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and predictive values of using erythrocyte indices and polychromasia to identify regeneration were determined, with a reticulocyte count > 65,000 reticulocytes/μL considered the gold standard. Similarly, 134 blood samples from anemic dogs were analyzed prospectively with an in-house electrical impedance analyzer.
RESULTS
Of 4,387 dogs with samples analyzed retrospectively, 1,426 (32.5%) had regenerative anemia. Of these, 168 (11.8%) had macrocytic hypochromic anemia. High mean cell volume and low mean cell hemoglobin concentration had low sensitivity (11%), high specificity (98%), and moderate accuracy (70%) when used to identify regenerative anemia. Use of polychromasia alone had an accuracy of 77%, and use of polychromasia combined with a high RBC distribution width (RDW) had an accuracy of 79%. Results obtained with the in-house analyzer were similar.
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Results suggested that most regenerative anemias in dogs were not macrocytic hypochromic. Polychromasia, with or without high RDW, was a more accurate indicator than other erythrocyte indices of regenerative anemia. To avoid a false diagnosis of nonregenerative anemia, a blood smear should be evaluated in anemic dogs when a reticulocyte count is not available.
Topics: Anemia; Animals; Blood Cell Count; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diagnosis, Differential; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Erythrocyte Count; Erythrocyte Indices; Female; Hematocrit; Hematologic Diseases; Male; Prospective Studies; Reproducibility of Results; Reticulocyte Count; Retrospective Studies; Sensitivity and Specificity
PubMed: 21627508
DOI: 10.2460/javma.238.11.1452 -
Veterinary Clinical Pathology Jun 2011
Topics: Animals; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Hematologic Tests; Leukemia; Reticulocyte Count; Reticulocytes; Reticulocytosis
PubMed: 21554372
DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-165X.2011.00322.x -
Journal of the American Veterinary... May 20114 rabbits (1.5 to 6 years old) were evaluated at the Angell Animal Medical Center from June 2007 to March 2009 because of nonspecific clinical signs including anorexia,...
CASE DESCRIPTION
4 rabbits (1.5 to 6 years old) were evaluated at the Angell Animal Medical Center from June 2007 to March 2009 because of nonspecific clinical signs including anorexia, lethargy, and decreased fecal output.
CLINICAL FINDINGS
Physical examination revealed signs of pain in the cranial portion of the abdomen, gas distention of the gastrointestinal tract, and diminished borborygmi. Serum biochemical analyses and CBCs revealed moderately to markedly high alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase activities and mild to moderate anemia with polychromasia. Abdominal radiographic findings were nonspecific. Three of the 4 rabbits underwent abdominal ultrasonography; abnormalities in shape, size, echogenicity, and blood flow of the liver, indicative of liver lobe torsion, were detected.
TREATMENT AND OUTCOME
All 4 rabbits underwent surgery, during which liver lobe torsion was confirmed and the affected liver lobe was resected. Histologic examination of sections of the excised lobe obtained from 3 of the 4 rabbits revealed severe, diffuse, acute to sub-acute hepatic ischemic necrosis. All rabbits recovered from surgery; owners reported that the rabbits were doing well 22 to 43 months after surgery.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Liver lobe torsions in any species are rarely reported, yet 4 cases of liver lobe torsion in domestic rabbits were treated at 1 referral center in a 2-year period. In rabbits, clinical signs of this condition are nonspecific and results of additional tests, including abdominal ultrasonography and serum biochemical analysis, are necessary for diagnosis. Prompt diagnosis and hepatectomy of the affected lobe are recommended and appear to be associated with an excellent prognosis.
Topics: Animals; Female; Hepatectomy; Liver; Liver Diseases; Male; Rabbits; Torsion Abnormality
PubMed: 21529241
DOI: 10.2460/javma.238.9.1176