A clinical and hematologic approach to basophilia in dogs, cats, and horses
Basophils are the rarest blood leukocyte in most healthy domestic mammals and the clinical significance of basophilia is poorly understood.
Evaluation of serum protein electrophoresis and immunofixation in dogs seropositive for various vector-borne pathogens
Canine vector-borne diseases (VBDs) induce non-specific dysproteinemias, detectable by serum protein electrophoresis (SPE). VBDs have been reported to induce a monoclonal gammopathy pattern. Monoclonal gammopathies are commonly the result of paraprotein (M-protein) produced by an immunoglobulin-secreting neoplasm.
Multicentric aggressive unclassified hematopoietic neoplasm involving the placenta in a pregnant bitch
Hematopoietic neoplasms are common in dogs; however, their association with pregnancy has not been previously reported in veterinary medicine. This rare occurrence presents a variety of diagnostic, therapeutic, prognostic, and ethical challenges. We report a case of a 3-year-old pregnant Bernese Mountain Dog diagnosed with multicentric aggressive unclassified hematopoietic cancer associated with paraneoplastic hypercalcemia during pregnancy. The dog died 7 days after diagnosis, and at Day 36 of pregnancy before any treatment decision could be made. Post-mortem evaluation, including histology, immunohistochemistry, and clonality analysis, led to the diagnosis of an unclassified hematopoietic cancer affecting the uterus and placenta, with no evidence of fetal involvement. The placenta likely acted as a barrier, preventing neoplastic involvement of the fetuses. Alternatively, the pregnancy might have been too early for the hematopoietic neoplasm to affect the labyrinth zone of the placenta and the fetuses. The dramatic disease progression could be explained by compromised cell-mediated immunity during pregnancy. This immunodeficient state is induced by embryonic, maternal, and hormonal factors, which suppress the response to mitogens to prevent rejection of the placenta and the conceptuses. Thus, pregnant dogs might exhibit increased vulnerability to cancer and infectious diseases that rely on cell-mediated immunity for host defense.
Serum total antioxidant status in dogs: Reference intervals and influence of multiple biological and analytical factors
Total antioxidant status (TAS) is one of the most widely used oxidative stress biomarkers, but the lack of canine RI and the influence of analytical factors hinder its application in clinical practice.
Discrepancies of bovine haptoglobin concentrations between serum and plasma using two different anticoagulants and a colorimetric assay based on peroxidase activity
Haptoglobin (Hp) is an emerging diagnostic marker in cattle, and knowledge of suitable sample types and measurement methods is important.
What's your diagnosis? Circumferential small intestinal mass in a cat
Detection of renal tubular transporter proteins in canine urinary extracellular vesicles using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry
Urinary extracellular vesicles (UEVs) are membranous particles that carry renal tubular transporter proteins. Here, we evaluate whether selected renal tubular transporter proteins can be detected in UEVs isolated from small volume (1-5 mL) canine urine samples of healthy dogs and canine patients with elevated circulating parathyroid hormone (PTH)/PTH-related peptide (PTHrp) concentrations, hypercortisolism, and primary hypoadrenocorticism using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The total creatinine content of each urine sample was calculated from urine volume and creatinine concentration. UEVs were isolated by size exclusion chromatography prior to quantification by nanoparticle tracking analysis and proteomic analysis by LC-MS/MS. Group comparisons were made using non-parametric statistics. Aquaporin-2 (AQP2) and the renal sodium/phosphate co-transporter (NPT2A) were detected in UEVs isolated from small volume samples of almost all healthy dogs but were not detected in most dogs with elevated circulating PTH/PTH related peptide (PTHrp) concentrations, hypercortisolism and primary hypoadrenocorticism. Total creatinine content of the urine sample was strongly positively correlated with the number of UEVs (r = .84, P < .001); thus, total creatinine was used as a surrogate marker of UEV number. In healthy dogs, AQP2 and NPT2A were both detected in samples containing at least 1.7 × 10 UEVs or 24 μmol creatinine, however in non-healthy dogs, AQP2 and NPT2A were not detected in most samples containing up to 6.3 × 10 UEVs or 32 μmol creatinine.
New strategies to classify canine pleural effusions and the diagnostic value of acute phase proteins, amylase, and adenosine deaminase in pleural exudates
In dogs, simplified Light's criteria can discriminate transudates from exudates. Other tests used in human medicine are pleural effusion cholesterol (CHOL) and butyrylcholinesterase [BChE], the pleural effusion/serum ratio of these analytes (CHOL and BChE), and the serum albumin minus pleural effusion albumin gradient (SEAG).
What is your diagnosis? Impression smears of an intracranial mass from a dog
Advancements in genetic analysis: Insights from a case study and review of next-generation sequencing techniques for veterinary oncology applications
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) poses significant challenges in veterinary medicine, with limited treatment options and poor survival rates. While substantial progress has been made in characterizing human AML, translating these advancements to veterinary practice has been hindered by limited molecular understanding and diagnostic tools. The case study presented illustrates the application of whole genome sequencing in diagnosing AML in a dog, showcasing its potential in veterinary oncology. Our approach facilitated comprehensive genomic analysis, identifying mutations in genes that may be associated with AML pathogenesis in dogs, such as KRAS, IKZF1, and RUNX1. However, without supportive evidence of its clinical utility (eg, association with response to treatment or prognosis), the information is limited to exploration. This article reviews the comparative features of canine AML with human AML and discusses strategies to shrink the knowledge gap between human and veterinary medicine with cost-effective next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques. By utilizing these approaches, the unique and shared molecular features with human AML can be identified, aiding in molecular classification and therapeutic development for both species. Despite the promise of NGS, challenges exist in implementing it into routine veterinary diagnostics. Cost considerations, turnaround times, and the need for robust bioinformatics pipelines and quality control measures must be addressed. Most importantly, analytical and clinical validation processes are essential to ensure the reliability and clinical utility of NGS-based assays. Overall, integrating NGS technologies into veterinary oncology holds great potential for advancing our understanding of AML and improving disease stratification, in hopes of improving clinical outcomes.
Validation of the Sysmex XN-V hematology analyzer for feline specimens
The Sysmex XN-V is derived from the new Sysmex XN series of human hematology analyzers. The main changes from the previously validated XT-2000iV analyzer include an optic-fluorescent analysis for platelets and a nucleated red blood cell (NRBC) count.
Thromboelastography in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy treated with phenobarbital monotherapy
Thromboelastography (TEG) is an effective technique to assess the efficiency of coagulation. Phenobarbital (PB) can induce hematological and coagulation disorders in both animals and humans, but its effects on hemostasis have been little investigated and are poorly understood in dogs.
Acid-base and electrolyte changes in dogs after packed red blood cell transfusion
Packed RBC (pRBC) transfusions are often necessary to enhance organ perfusion and tissue oxygenation in cases of severe anemia.
Clinicopathologic description of a cutaneous melanocytic tumor in a 1-year-old cat
A feline cutaneous melanocytic tumor in a 1-year-old cat is reported. The cytologic, histologic, and immunohistochemical characteristics of the pediatric feline cutaneous melanocytoma are included. A solitary, black-colored nodule on the head was histologically diagnosed as the epithelioid type of melanocytoma. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic melanocytes demonstrated immunoreactivity to the S100 and MelanA antibodies but not to the PNL2 antibody. Despite high mitotic counts (17/10HPFs) and a Ki67 index (33%) suggesting malignant melanoma, the patient exhibited a favorable 5-month outcome. The mitotic activity of the neoplastic cells may not provide a reliable prediction for feline melanocytic tumors.
What is your diagnosis? Fine-needle aspirate from a neck lesion in a dog