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Introduction A major complication of haemophilia is haemophilic arthropathy (HA), a debilitating disorder with an incompletely defined pathobiology. High-resolution imaging may provide new knowledge about onset and progression of HA, and thereby support identification of new treatment opportunities. Recently, a F8−/− rat model of HA was developed. The size of the rat allows for convenient and high resolution imaging of the joints, which could enable in vivo studies of HA development. Aim To determine whether HA in the F8−/− rat can be visualized using ultrasonography (US) and micro-computed tomography (μCT). Methods Sixty F8−/− and 20 wild-type rats were subjected to a single or two induced knee bleeds. F8−/− rats were treated with either recombinant human FVIII (rhFVIII) or vehicle before the induction of knee bleeds. Haemophilic arthropathy was visualized using in vivo US and ex vivo μCT, and the observations correlated with histological evaluation. Results US and μCT detected pathologies in the knee related to HA. There was a strong correlation between disease severity determined by μCT and histopathology. rhFVIII treatment reduced the pathology identified with both imaging techniques. Conclusion US and μCT are suitable imaging techniques for detection of blood-induced joint disease in F8−/− rats and may be used for longitudinal studies of disease progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Babesiosis in dogs is associated with severe thrombocytopenia; yet infected dogs rarely show clinical signs of hemorrhage. Hypothesis Dogs with uncomplicated babesiosis have normal hemostatic capacity despite severe thrombocytopenia. Animals Nineteen client-owned dogs with uncomplicated babesiosis; 10 healthy controls. Methods A prospective, cross-sectional, observational study. Thromboelastography (TEG), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time ( aPTT), fibrinogen, D-dimers, and antithrombin (AT) measured in both groups. Statistical significance set at P < .01. Results Babesiosis group hematocrit and platelet count significantly lower than controls (0.29 versus 0.50 L/L; P < .001 and 20.0 versus 374.5 × 109/L; P < .001, respectively). Except for K, no significant difference in TEG variables between groups. Hemostatic variables for babesiosis group versus controls (mean ± SD); R: 5.9 ± 1.8 versus 4.6 ± 0.9 min ( P = .048); K: 2.8 ± 1.1 versus 1.9 ± 0.6 min ( P = .003); angle: 55.5 ± 11.7 versus 62.2 ± 4.1 degrees ( P = .036); MA: 48.4 ± 9.7 versus 57.2 ± 5.2 mm ( P = 0.013); G: 5.1 ± 1.9 versus 6.9 ± 1.5 dyn/cm2 ( P = .019); LY30 (median, range): 0 (0-5.7) versus 0.6% (0-6.1) ( P = .152); and LY60: 0 (0-8.8) versus 3.1% (0-13.1) ( P = .012). AT activity significantly lower (105.2 ± 16.5 versus 127.8 ± 15.4%; P = .001). Fibrinogen concentration significantly higher in babesiosis group (5.7 ± 1.3 versus. 3.0 ± 0.7 g/L; P < .001). Conclusion and Clinical Importance Despite severe thrombocytopenia , dogs with uncomplicated babesiosis did not have clinical signs of hemorrhage and TEG variables were normal, which could indicate a normocoagulable state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dipetalogaster maximus (Dipmax), a blood-sucking bug belonging to the family Reduviidae, has been used to obtain blood samples, for example for clinical chemistry and haematology, in a variety of zoo animals and wildlife. Using this bug allows stress-free blood sampling as the bug is able to draw blood without the mammal noticing the bug. In laboratory animal science, the need for blood samples from unstressed animals may arise, especially in animal behaviour research. The use of Dipmax bugs may prove a valuable tool for this purpose. To validate the method, we compared an array of standard blood parameters sampled from New Zealand White rabbits, sampled either by the use of bugs or by the conventional method; puncture of vena auricularis caudalis. The overall hypothesis was that there was no significant difference in clinical chemistry and haematological parameters between the bug method and the conventional method. A total of 17 clinical parameters as well as 12 haematological parameters were measured and compared in New Zealand White rabbits. The results showed that for 13 of these 29 analysed parameters, the bug method and the conventional method did not give significantly different results, and the obtained results were thus directly comparable. For the remaining parameters the obtained results were significantly different. However, all parameters were measurable in the bug samples. The influences of the bug metabolism on these parameters are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cytokine response in immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) is poorly characterized and correlation with outcome is unknown. To determine if cytokine activity is correlated with outcome in dogs with IMHA. Twenty dogs with primary IMHA and 6 control dogs. Prospective study on dogs with IMHA with blood sampling at admission. Serum activity of interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-15, IL-18, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interferon-inducible protein-10, interferon-gamma, and keratinocyte chemoattractant (KC) was assessed. Thirty-day case fatality rate was 25% (5/20 dogs). Increased concentrations (median [range]) of IL-2 (45.5 ng/L [0;830] versus 0 ng/L [0;46.8]), IL-10 (8.2 ng/L [0;60.6] versus 0 ng/L [0;88.2]), KC (1.7 μg/L [0.3;4.7] versus 0.5 μg/L [0.2;1.1]), and MCP-1 (162 ng/L [97.6;438] versus 124 ng/L [90.2;168]) were observed in dogs with IMHA compared with controls. The cytokine profile was indicative of a mixture of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines of various cellular origins. Cytokines/chemokines strongly associated with macrophage/monocyte activation and recruitment were significantly increased in nonsurvivors compared with survivors; IL-15 (179 ng/L [48.0;570] versus 21.3 ng/L [0;193]), IL-18 (199 ng/L [58.7;915] versus 37.4 ng/L [0;128]), GM-CSF (134 ng/L [70.0;863] versus 57.6 ng/L [0;164]), and MCP-1 (219 ng/L [135;438] versus 159 ng/L [97.6;274]), respectively. Logistic regression suggested increased IL-18 and MCP-1 concentrations were independently associated with mortality in this population ( P<.05, Wald's type 3). A mixed cytokine response is present in dogs with IMHA and mediators of macrophage activation and recruitment might serve as prognostic indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Retrospectively, 89 cases of dogs infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum were examined. Fifty-nine of these 89 dogs fulfilled the criteria of not being dually infected with Crenosoma vulpis as well as having a full biochemistry profile including serum fructosamine available. The mean serum fructosamine value of the 59 dogs was 236 μmol/l (reference value 258–348 μmol/l) and significantly lower than the serum fructosamine level of 314 μmol/l in a control group of 42 clinically healthy dogs. Eleven dogs were available for follow up after successful treatment of angiostrongylosis. In this group, the serum fructosamine value rose from a mean of 244 μmol/l to a mean of 320 μmol/l following treatment. Serum glucose, albumin and protein were all within the respective reference ranges at all sampling points. The results indicate that serum fructosamine could be affected by infection with A. vasorum. Furthermore, this change cannot be explained by measurable changes in the level of glucose, albumin or protein. The clinical impact of this study is that a low fructosamine value may indicate infection with A. vasorum thereby suggesting a Baermann test to be performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Sepsis caused by Staphylococcus aureus constitutes an important cause of morbidity and mortality in humans, and the incidence of this disease-entity is increasing. In this paper we describe the initial microbial dynamics and lesions in pigs experimentally infected with S. aureus, with the aim of mimicking human sepsis and pyemia. Methods The study was conducted in anaesthetized and intravenously inoculated pigs, and was based on bacteriological examination of blood and testing of blood for IL-6 and C-reactive protein. Following killing of the animals and necropsy bacteriological and histological examinations of different organs were performed 4, 5 or 6 h after inoculation. Results Clearance of bacteria from the blood was completed within the first 2 h in some of the pigs and the highest bacterial load was recorded in the lungs as compared to the spleen, liver and bones. This probably was a consequence of both the intravenous route of inoculation and the presence of pulmonary intravascular macrophages. Inoculation of bacteria induced formation of acute microabscesses in the lungs, spleen and liver, but not in the kidneys or bones. No generalized inflammatory response was recorded, i.e. IL-6 was not detected in the blood and C-reactive protein did not increase, probably because of the short time course of the study. Conclusion This study demonstrates the successful induction of acute pyemia (microabscesses), and forms a basis for future experiments that should include inoculation with strains of S. aureus isolated from man and an extension of the timeframe aiming at inducing sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock.

Abstract Background Monitoring of antiplatelet therapy in patients at cardiovascular risk is difficult because existing platelet function tests are too sophisticated for clinical routine. The whole blood TEG® Platelet Mapping™ assay measures clot strength as maximal amplitude (MA) and enables for quantification of platelet function, including the contribution of the adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and thromboxane A2 (TxA2) receptors to clot formation. Methods In 43 healthy blood donors, the analytical (CVa) and inter-individual variability (CVg) of the TEG® Platelet Mapping™ assay were determined together with platelet receptor inhibition in response to arachidonic acid (AA) and ADP. Results The CVa of the assay for maximal platelet contribution to clot strength (MAThrombin) was 3.5%, for the fibrin contribution to clot strength (MAFibrin) 5.2%, for MAAA 4.5% and for MAADP it was 6.6%. The MAThrombin CVg was 2.8%, MAFibrin 4.7%, MAAA 6.6% and for MAADP it was 26.2%. Females had a higher MAThrombin compared to males (62.8 vs. 58.4 mm, p = 0.005). The platelet TxA2 receptor inhibition was 1.2% (range 0–10%) and lower than for the ADP receptor (18.6% (0–58%); p < 0.0001). Conclusion The high variability in ADP receptor inhibition may explain both the differences in response to ADP receptor inhibitor therapy and why major bleeding sometimes develops during surgery in patients not treated with ADP receptor inhibitors. An analytical variation of ~5 % for the TEG® enables, however, for routine monitoring of the variability in ADP receptor inhibition and of antiplatelet therapy.

Abstract Background Monitoring systemic inflammatory activity during steroid therapy of canine immune-mediated polyarthritis (IMPA) is difficult and mainly relies on clinical signs. Case presentation Canine serum C-reactive protein (CRP) was measured serially and blinded during a 27-week follow-up period of a case of Anaplasma phagocytophilia induced type II immune-mediated polyarthritis. Conclusion WBC was, as expected, observed not to reflect the inflammatory activity during steroid treatment in a clinical useful manner, whereas, CRP is suggested a valuable unbiased marker of inflammatory activity during steroid treatment in this case.

Detailed knowledge of biological variation can facilitate accurate interpretation of clinical pathology parameters. A recent biological variation study in Asian elephants ( Elephas maximus ) found that hematology parameters had high individuality, which suggests that population-derived reference intervals may be an insensitive diagnostic tool. In elephant medicine, sensitive hematology-related diagnostics are crucial for clinical decision-making, particularly in elephants at risk for elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus hemorrhagic disease (EEHV-HD). The objective of this study was to assess biological variation of hematology parameters in African elephants to determine whether population-derived reference intervals are a sensitive diagnostic tool for interpreting results and to provide a useful alternative. Eight healthy African elephants had blood collected under behavioral training every other week for 8 wk. Complete blood cell count (CBC) analysis was performed in duplicate to assess analytical variation. Previous methods were used to determine between-individual variation, within-individual variation, index of individuality, and reference change values (RCV). This study found that most hematology parameters displayed intermediate-to-high individuality, which suggests that alternatives to population-derived reference intervals are necessary to detect pathologic changes. To test the results of our biological variation data, a case of EEHV-HD was retrospectively evaluated. Individual normal values and calculated RCV detected a clinically significant monocytopenia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia associated with EEHV2 viremia. However, none of these parameters fell outside a population-derived reference interval. This study highlights the utility of biological variation in clinical decision-making and demonstrates that individual normal values and RCV may be important diagnostic tools for CBC interpretation in African elephants.