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Frequencies of feline blood types in the Rio de Janeiro area of Brazil
Author(s) -
Medeiros Miguel A. S.,
Soares Ana Maria,
Alviano Daniela S.,
Ejzemberg Regina,
Da Silva Maria Helena,
Almosny Nádia Regina
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
veterinary clinical pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.537
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1939-165X
pISSN - 0275-6382
DOI - 10.1111/j.1939-165x.2008.00051.x
Subject(s) - virology , biology , geography , medicine , veterinary medicine
Background: The distribution and frequency of blood types in cat populations vary according to geographic region and breed. Frequencies of feline blood types in Rio de Janeiro city, as well as in other Brazilian areas, are unknown, and the risk of unmatched transfusions and neonatal isoerythrolysis has not been estimated. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of feline blood types in the area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Methods: EDTA blood samples were obtained from 172 nonpedigreed domestic shorthair (DSH) cats (92 female, 80 male, 3 months–20 years old) in different sites of Rio de Janeiro city. Blood typing was performed by agglutination assays using Triticum vulgaris lectin and feline anti‐A serum. The hemagglutination results for type B and AB cats were confirmed by high‐performance thin‐layer chromatography (HPTLC) of erythrocyte membrane gangliosides. Results: The majority (163/172, 94.8%) of cats were type A, 2.9% were type B, and 2.3% were type AB. High‐titer anti‐A serum agglutinated RBCs from all cats in type A and type AB blood groups, with 3+ to 4+ agglutination. The probability that a type A cat would receive type B or AB blood in a first random transfusion was calculated as 2.25% and 2.20%, respectively. HPTLC analysis of glycolipids yielded a chromatographic profile characteristic of feline gangliosides for all blood groups. Conclusions: These results indicate a high prevalence of type A cats in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and a low frequency of type B and AB cats, consistent with what has been observed for DSH cats in other regions of the world.