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Veterinary Research Communications Apr 2024South American camelids (SACs) play an increasing role in veterinary care in Europe. Many alpacas or llamas presented to veterinarians suffer from anaemia, regularly... (Review)
Review
South American camelids (SACs) play an increasing role in veterinary care in Europe. Many alpacas or llamas presented to veterinarians suffer from anaemia, regularly with a packed cell volume (PCV) below 0.10 l/l, which is a life-threatening condition for the animals. This review article presents clinical and laboratory diagnostic tools for the diagnosis of anaemia in SACs. Clinical identification of anaemic animals can be performed by assessing the FAMACHA© score and the Body Condition Score (BCS), since anaemia in alpacas and llamas correlates with pale mucous membranes and a lowered BCS. Haematological examination of a blood sample can provide a more differentiated diagnosis of anaemia in SACs. A common finding is regenerative anaemia with an increased number of reticulocytes that is often caused by blood loss due to Haemonchus contortus. Changes in a blood smear from an alpaca or llama with regenerative anaemia may include normoblasts (nucleated red blood cells), anisocytosis, poikilocytosis, polychromasia, Howell-Jolly bodies or basophilic stippling. Furthermore, non-regenerative anaemia, often caused by trace element deficiency or cachexia, can also occur.
Topics: Animals; Camelids, New World; Anemia; Haemonchus; South America
PubMed: 38049672
DOI: 10.1007/s11259-023-10274-z -
Journal of Hematology Dec 2018The study shows the effect of hyperglycemia on RBCs in terms of morphological changes and their chromic status in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
BACKGROUND
The study shows the effect of hyperglycemia on RBCs in terms of morphological changes and their chromic status in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
METHODS
A total of 100 pregnant women were enrolled from Maternity and Children Hospital, Qassim, Saudi Arabia including 40 women with confirmed GDM (group-1), 30 women with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes (group-2) and 30 women with normal pregnancy without GDM or pre-gestational diabetes (control group-3). Demographic, anthropometric, medical and biochemical data were obtained from the study subjects. Complete blood count (CBC) and peripheral smears were performed from routine blood samples. Red blood cells (RBCs) morphological analysis was carried out by a hematologist and deviations in size, shape, and staining properties of the RBCs were recorded.
RESULTS
The groups were similar in demographic characteristics (P > 0.05). RBCs showed normocytic and normochromic features in 83.3% patients of group-3 as compared to 57.5% in group-1, 30% in group-2, respectively. Microcytic hypochromic cells and anisocytosis were mostly encountered in group-2 in 53.3% and 93.3% patients respectively (P = 0.000). Forty percent of RBCs in goup-1 showed microcytic and hypochromic characteristics as compared to group-3 (P = 0.015). Additionally, 42.5% group-1 patients had anisocytosis as compared to group-3 (P = 0.003). Poikilocytosis, target cells and macrocytes were mostly observed in group-2.
CONCLUSIONS
Persistent hyperglycemia changes shape, size and hemoglobin contents of RBCs which are associated with the hyperglycemic status and exposure time.
PubMed: 32300429
DOI: 10.14740/jh449w -
Journal of Veterinary Research Jun 2020Although peripheral blood analysis has become increasingly automated, microscopy is the only available method for the diagnosis of anisocytosis and poikilocytosis. The...
INTRODUCTION
Although peripheral blood analysis has become increasingly automated, microscopy is the only available method for the diagnosis of anisocytosis and poikilocytosis. The aims of the study were to compare RBC volume data obtained with two different analysers and by manual assessment of smears and to compare this data between dogs in various stages of heart failure secondary to degenerative mitral valvular (DMV) disease. The impact of diuretic administration on RBC morphology was also assessed.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Sixty-eight dogs, 56 in different stages of DMV disease and 12 as healthy controls, were studied. Impedance and flow cytometry haematological analyses were performed for each animal. Additionally, two smears were prepared for manual analysis. RBC structure, staining, and size differences were recorded.
RESULTS
There were no significant differences between the blood morphological parameters assessed using haematological analysers nor between dogs receiving diuretic treatment and those not treated. Based on the manual smear, significantly higher erythrocyte anisocytosis was observed in the dogs with symptomatic DMV disease than in the control group.
CONCLUSION
Haematological analysers based on impedance and flow cytometry provide reliable and comparable morphological results in dogs with heart failure. However, microscopic assessment of blood smears is a more reliable tool to detect erythrocyte anisocytosis.
PubMed: 32587922
DOI: 10.2478/jvetres-2020-0043 -
Journal of Community Hospital Internal... 2016Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a life-threatening medical emergency which may be difficult to recognize given the wide spectrum in which it presents. A...
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a life-threatening medical emergency which may be difficult to recognize given the wide spectrum in which it presents. A delay in treatment may be catastrophic as untreated cases of TTP have a mortality rate exceeding 90%. Given the high fatality rate of untreated TTP and its range of presenting symptoms, we present our unusual case of TTP in a post-splenectomy patient with early treatment and positive outcome. This case describes a 54-year-old female who presented with hematuria and gingival bleeding, followed by the development of a bilateral lower extremity petechial rash. Her past medical history was significant for multiple episodes of TTP, the last of which resulted in a splenectomy and a 20-year history of remission thereafter. On exam, she was alert, well appearing, and neurologically intact. Her only significant finding was a bilateral lower extremity petechial rash. Laboratory studies revealed mild anemia and thrombocytopenia, an elevated lactate dehydrogenase, and a decreased haptoglobin. Peripheral smear showed poikilocytosis, helmet cells, and schistocytes. Corticosteroid therapy was promptly initiated, her platelets were monitored closely, and she underwent urgent therapeutic plasma exchange. Due to the risk of significant morbidity and mortality that may result from delayed treatment of TTP as well as the significant variations of presentation, TTP requires a consistently high index of suspicion. Our patient suffered multiple relapses of TTP within a 30-year span, underwent splenectomy in early adulthood, and presented with atypical symptoms during her most recent relapse illustrating how persistent TTP can be as well as how unusually it may present. Providers should be aware of the vast spectrum of presentation and remember that TTP may recur following splenectomy despite prolonged remission.
PubMed: 27609730
DOI: 10.3402/jchimp.v6.32258 -
BMC Veterinary Research Jul 2021Serious disease outbreaks in cattle are usually associated with blood pathogens. This study aims to detect blood pathogens namely Theileria species, Anaplasma species,...
Molecular detection of Theileria species, Anaplasma species, Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos, Trypanosoma evansi and first evidence of Theileria sinensis-associated bovine anaemia in crossbred Kedah-Kelantan x Brahman cattle.
BACKGROUND
Serious disease outbreaks in cattle are usually associated with blood pathogens. This study aims to detect blood pathogens namely Theileria species, Anaplasma species, Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos and Trypanosoma evansi, and determine their phylogenetic relationships and haemato-biochemical abnormalities in naturally infected cattle.
METHODS
Molecular analysis was achieved by PCR amplification and sequencing of PCR amplicons of 18SrRNA gene of Theileria species, 16SrRNA genes of Anaplasma and Mycoplasma species, MPSP genes of T. orientalis and T. sinensis, MSP4 gene of A. marginale, 16SrRNA gene of Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos, and RoTat1.2 VSG gene of Trypanosoma evansi, in sixty-one (61) clinically ill Kedah-Kelantan x Brahman cattle in Pahang, Malaysia.
RESULTS
A total of 44 (72.13%) cattle were infected with more than one blood pathogen. Theileria species was the blood pathogen with the highest molecular detection rate (72.13, 95% CI 59.83-81.81%). Nucleotide blast analyses of all sequences demonstrated high degree of molecular similarity (98-100%) in comparison with their respective reference sequences. Analysis of 18SrRNA gene sequences of Theileria species and 16SrRNA gene sequences of Anaplasma species revealed Theileria sinensis and Anaplasma platys respectively as additional species detected in these cattle. MPSP-PCR analysis was conducted for further confirmation of T. sinensis. The blood picture of eight infected cattle groups revealed poikilocytosis, anisocytosis, rouleaux formation and degenerative left shift. High mean erythrocyte fragility values were common in infected cattle groups. Anaemia of the macrocytic normochromic type and spherocytes were observed in the T. evansi and Anaplasma platys + Theileria sinensis double species co-infected cattle group. Normocytic normochromic anaemia was observed in the T. sinensis infected cattle group. Significant (p < 0.05) increases in serum liver and kidney parameters, total protein, globulin, total and unconjugated bilirubin and decreased albumin values were observed in the T. evansi infected cattle when compared to clinically healthy cattle.
CONCLUSION
We present the first evidence of Theileria sinensis-associated bovine anaemia (TSABA) in Malaysian cattle. Because of the high occurrence of bovine theileriosis and detection of A. platys, there is an urgent need for appropriate preventive and control measures against these blood pathogens.
Topics: Anaplasma; Anaplasmosis; Anemia; Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Female; Malaysia; Male; Mycoplasma; Mycoplasma Infections; Theileria; Theileriasis; Trypanosoma; Trypanosomiasis
PubMed: 34275459
DOI: 10.1186/s12917-021-02902-0 -
American Journal of Veterinary Research Dec 2021To document RBC abnormalities in dogs with congenital ventricular outflow tract obstruction.
OBJECTIVE
To document RBC abnormalities in dogs with congenital ventricular outflow tract obstruction.
ANIMALS
62 dogs with pulmonic stenosis (PS) or aortic stenosis (AS) and 20 control dogs were recruited.
PROCEDURES
The proportions of RBCs that were schistocytes, acanthocytes, and keratocytes were assessed. Complete blood cell counts were performed. Tested variables included hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, and erythrocyte count.
RESULTS
Median (interquartile range [IQR]) peak systolic Doppler-derived trans-stenotic pressure gradient (∆P) values were 161 mm Hg (108 to 215 mm Hg) and 134 mm Hg (125 to 165 mm Hg) for dogs with PS and AS, respectively. Hematologic abnormalities were detected in most dogs with AS or PS (54/62 [87%]) versus 8/20 [40%] in control dogs, with schistocytes found in 40 of 62 (65%; median, 0.1% RBCs; IQR, 0% to 0.3%), acanthocytes in 29 of 62 (47%; median, 0.3% RBCs; IQR, 0% to 0.9%), keratocytes in 39 of 62 (63%; median, 0% RBCs; IQR, 0% to 0.2%), and hemolytic anemia in 4 dogs with PS. No significant association was identified between these abnormalities and ∆P. However, 3 of 4 dogs with anemia had a ∆P > 200 mm Hg (range, 242 to 340 mm Hg). The dog with the highest ∆P value also had the most severe anemia and schistocytosis, and both resolved after balloon valvuloplasty.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Poikilocytosis is common in dogs with congenital ventricular outflow tract obstruction, with anemia only observed in few dogs with high ∆P values.
Topics: Animals; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Erythrocytes; Heart Ventricles; Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
PubMed: 34936577
DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.21.11.0188 -
Molecular Genetics & Genomic Medicine May 2016X-linked sideroblastic anemia (XLSA) is a disorder characterized by decreased heme synthesis and mitochondrial iron overload with ringed sideroblasts in bone marrow....
BACKGROUND
X-linked sideroblastic anemia (XLSA) is a disorder characterized by decreased heme synthesis and mitochondrial iron overload with ringed sideroblasts in bone marrow. XLSA is caused by mutations in the erythroid-specific gene coding 5-aminolevulinate synthase (ALAS2). Anemia in XLSA is extremely variable, characteristically microcytic and hypochromic with poikilocytosis, and the red blood cell distribution width is increased and prominent dimorphism of the red cell population. Anemia in XLSA patients responds variably to supplementation with pyridoxine.
METHODS AND RESULTS
We report four patients with XLSA and three mutations in ALAS2: c.611G>A (p.Arg204Gln), c.1218G>T (p.Leu406Phe) and c.1499A>G (p.Tyr500Cys). The in silico predictions of three ALAS2 mutations and the functional consequences of two ALAS2 mutations were assessed. We performed in silico analysis of these mutations using ten different softwares, and all of them predicted that the p.Tyr500Cys mutation was deleterious. The in vitro prokaryotic expression showed that the p.Leu406Phe and p.Tyr500Cys mutations reduced the ALAS2 specific activity (SA) to 14% and 7% of the control value, respectively.
CONCLUSION
In view of the results obtained in this study, a clear relationship between genotype and phenotype cannot be established; clinical variability or severity of anemia may be influenced by allelic variants in other genes or transcription factors and environmental conditions.
PubMed: 27247955
DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.202 -
Porcine Health Management May 2023Tail biting is a multifactorial problem. As the health status is one of the factors commonly linked to tail biting, this study focuses on the health of identified...
BACKGROUND
Tail biting is a multifactorial problem. As the health status is one of the factors commonly linked to tail biting, this study focuses on the health of identified biters. 30 (obsessive) biters are compared to 30 control animals by clinical and pathological examination as well as blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples. In that way, altogether 174 variables are compared between the groups. Moreover, connections between the variables are analysed.
RESULTS
In the clinical examination, 6 biters, but only 2 controls (P = 0.019) were noticeably agitated in the evaluation of general behaviour, while 8 controls were noticeably calmer (2 biters, P = 0.02). Biters had a lower body weight (P = 0.0007) and 13 biters had overlong bristles (4 controls, P = 0.008). In the pathological examination, 5 biters, but none of the controls had a hyperceratosis or inflammation of the pars proventricularis of the stomach (P = 0.018). However, 7 controls and only 3 biters were affected by gut inflammation (P = 0.03). In the blood sample, protein and albumin levels were below normal range for biters (protein: 51.6 g/l, albumin: 25.4 g/l), but not for controls (protein: 53.7 g/l, albumin: 27.4 g/l), (protein: P = 0.05, albumin: P = 0.02). Moreover, 14 biters, but only 8 controls had poikilocytosis (P = 0.05). Although not statistically different between groups, many animals (36/60) were affected by hypoproteinemia and hyponatremia as well as by hypokalemia (53/60) and almost all animals (58/60) had hypomagnesemia. For hypomagnesemia, significant connections with variables linked to tail damage and ear necrosis were detected (r/V/ρ ≥ 0.4, P ≤ 0.05).
CONCLUSION
The results suggest that behavioural tests might be helpful in identifying biters. Moreover, cornification and inflammation of the pars proventricularis is linked to becoming a biter. Furthermore, the results highlight the need for appropriate and adjusted nutrient and mineral supply, especially with regard to magnesium.
PubMed: 37161469
DOI: 10.1186/s40813-023-00314-0 -
Journal of Advanced Veterinary and... Jun 2020The purpose of this study was to measure the mean concentrations of heavy metals including aluminum (Al), arsenic, nickel (Ni), mercury, lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) and...
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to measure the mean concentrations of heavy metals including aluminum (Al), arsenic, nickel (Ni), mercury, lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) and to assess the health hazards due to the exposure of cattle/human population to a distinct or the mixture of heavy metals through various sources.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 180 samples including water sources, animal feed, and raw cows' milk from rural regions in Qena, Egypt, were examined using the inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometer (ICP; iCAP 6200).
RESULTS
The data highlighted heavy metal pollution with variable concentrations among most of the investigated regions. All concentrations of Al, Ni, and Cd detected in the feeding stuff showed a strong correlation to their respective levels in milk rather than those detected in water ( = 0.072 . 0.039, 0.13 0.10, and 0.46 0.014, respectively) ( < 0.05). Anisocytosis and poikilocytosis with a tendency to rouleaux formation were evident, and basophilic stippling was a pathognomic indicator for heavy metal toxicity, especially Pb. Leukopenia and macrocytic anemia were shown in 50% and 65% of examined cattle, respectively. The target hazard quotients values were more than one (>1) for all heavy metals from water intake for both children and adults and Al and Cd in milk for children, and the hazard index values were indicated higher for noncarcinogenic health hazards. The target cancer risk values predispose people in the surveyed villages to higher cancerous risks due to exposures to the mixture of heavy metal through the consumption of water and milk.
CONCLUSION
The bioaccumulation and transmission of heavy metal mixtures from water sources and feeding material have detrimental influences on milk pollution and cattle health which seem to be a serious issue affecting public health in those rural communities.
PubMed: 32607368
DOI: 10.5455/javar.2020.g428 -
Environmental Science and Pollution... Feb 2023The use of plant growth regulators has led to environmental contamination of water bodies that occur adjacent to agricultural areas. Some of these chemicals are...
The use of plant growth regulators has led to environmental contamination of water bodies that occur adjacent to agricultural areas. Some of these chemicals are bioactive, not only to plants, but also to non-target exposed biota, namely of the aquatic compartment. Previous work demonstrated the establishment of hepato- and nephrotoxic effects in juvenile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) exposed via aquatic media to gibberellic acid (GA), which is among the most used plant growth regulators, in agricultural practices. Here, we investigated the effect of GA on hematological indices, poikilocytosis, nuclear abnormalities, and genotoxic indices measured in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), as well as the putative protective effects of dietary supplementation of Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis). Fish were evenly assorted into 5 groups: group I served as a control, and groups II-V were fed diets supplemented with Spirulina at rates of 0 g/kg, 5 g/kg, 20 g/kg, and 100 g/kg, respectively, for 2 months before being exposed to 150 mg/L GA. The results revealed that GA exposure decreased significantly all hematological indices (P < 0.05), except leucocytes and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), compared to the control group (P > 0.05). GA exposure increased significantly the percentage of nuclear abnormalities, altered erythrocytes and the percentages of tail DNA, compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Spirulina supplementation restored the hematological, poikilocytosis, nuclear abnormalities, and the percentages of tail DNA to near normal levels. The 100 g/kg SP treatment was the most effective in attaining such effect, showing concentration-dependency. The present study reinforces our findings of the toxicity of GA on O. niloticus and suggests that the addition of Spirulina to fish diet can mitigate the hemotoxic effects of GA.
Topics: Animals; Cichlids; Tilapia; Spirulina; Plant Growth Regulators; Dietary Supplements; Diet; Animal Feed
PubMed: 36346524
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23844-6