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Evaluation of reticulocyte hemoglobin content ( RET ‐H e ) in the diagnosis of iron‐deficient erythropoiesis in dogs
Author(s) -
Fuchs Jannika,
Moritz Andreas,
Grußendorf Esther,
Lechner Jörg,
Neuerer Felix,
Nickel Rafael,
Rieker Thomas,
Schwedes Claudia,
DeNicola Dennis B.,
Russell James,
Bauer Natali
Publication year - 2017
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/vcp.12547
Subject(s) - reticulocyte , cutoff , hemoglobin , erythropoiesis , medicine , hematology analyzer , gastroenterology , anemia , chemistry , biochemistry , physics , quantum mechanics , messenger rna , gene
Background Reticulocyte hemoglobin content provided by the Siemens ADVIA ( CH r) is an established marker of iron deficiency. The IDEXX ProCyte Dx hematology analyzer now provides a similar variable, reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent (RET‐H e ). Objectives The objective was to evaluate RET ‐H e and its diagnostic utility in dogs, and to calculate a cutoff value for diagnosing iron‐deficient erythropoiesis ( IDE ). Furthermore, the prevalence of RET ‐H e values below this cutoff value was established. Methods One hundred and seventy‐one CBCs of healthy dogs were used to establish a RI . Stability of RET ‐H e was evaluated by repeated measurements over 48 hours ( n = 10). The 25‐run coefficient of variation ( CV ) was calculated, and correlation and bias between measurements of RET ‐H e and CH r were assessed ( n = 190). A cutoff value for diagnosing IDE was calculated. The utility of RET ‐H e in the detection of IDE was evaluated in 123 dogs. The prevalence of low RET ‐H e values was assessed retrospectively in a multicenter study (2012–2014) under participation of 7 veterinary clinics. Results Reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent with an RI of 22.2 to 28.6 pg was statistically stable over 48 hours ( P = .10). The CV was 1.8%. A fair correlation (ρ = 0.74) between RET ‐H e and CH r with a small bias of −0.6 pg was found. The cutoff value for diagnosing IDE was 20.9 pg (sensitivity: 85%; specificity: 99%). The prevalence of RET ‐H e values below 20.9 pg was 10.3% (1084/10,553 dogs). Conclusions RET ‐H e on the ProCyte Dx is a precise screening tool in dogs to detect iron‐deficient erythropoiesis.