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Coombs’, haemoplasma and retrovirus testing in feline anaemia
Author(s) -
Tasker S.,
Murray J. K.,
Knowles T. G.,
Day M. J.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of small animal practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1748-5827
pISSN - 0022-4510
DOI - 10.1111/j.1748-5827.2009.00869.x
Subject(s) - cats , medicine , coombs test , haemolysis , virology , antibody , immunology
O bjective : To investigate the associations between Coombs’ testing, haemoplasma and retroviral infections, and feline anaemia.M ethods : Haematology, Coombs’ testing (including assessment of persistent autoagglutination) and selected infection testing (haemoplasma, feline leukaemia virus/feline immunodeficiency virus provirus) were performed in blood samples collected from 60 anaemic and 60 non‐anaemic cats.R esults : No association between infection and anaemia or Coombs’ positivity existed. Anaemic cats (21.7%) were significantly more likely than non‐anaemic cats (0%) to have cold autoagglutination (P<0.0001), but significance (set at ≤0.0025 due to multiple testing) was not quite reached when Coombs’ positivity was compared between anaemic (40.4% and 21.7% positive at 4°C and 37°C, respectively) and non‐anaemic (20% and 3.3% positive, P=0.021 and P=0.004, at 4°C and 37°C, respectively) cats. Cats with immune‐mediated haemolytic anaemia were significantly more likely to have persistent cold autoagglutination (P<0.0001) and be Coombs’ positive at 37°C with polyvalent (P<0.0001), immunoglobulin (Ig)G (P<0.0001) or any antiserum (P<0.0001). Haemoplasmas and retroviruses were uncommonly detected.C linical S ignificance : Cats suspected of having immune‐mediated haemolytic anaemia should be evaluated for persistent autoagglutination at 4°C as well as performing Coombs’ testing at 37°C, but positive results may occur in with other forms of anaemia. Testing for erythrocyte‐bound antibodies should always be interpreted in parallel with documentation of haemolysis in anaemic cats.