Image-based red blood cell counter for multiple species of wild and domestic animals / Contador de células vermelhas baseado em imagens para múltiplas espécies de animais silvestres e domésticos

RBC count plays an important role in animal diagnosis. Despite the many technologies available in different automated hematology analyzers, when it comes to the blood of wild animals it is still difficult to find an easy and affordable solution for multiple species. This study aims to evaluate the proposed automatic red blood cell counter. Blood samples (1 ocelot - Leopardus pardalis, 1 monkey - Cebus apella, 1 coati - Nasua nasua, 62 dogs - Canis familiaris, and 5 horses - Equus caballus) were analyzed using three methods: 1-manual count, 2-automatic count by image, and 3-semi-automatic count by image; blood from dogs and horses were also analyzed by a fourth method: 4-automatic count by impedance. The counts in methods 2 and 3 were produced by the proposed red blood cell counter. Results were compared using Pearson's correlation and plots with different methods as the criterion standard. RBC counts in methods 1, 2, and 3 correlated very well with those in the method 4 (r ≥ 0.94). RBC counts produced by method 2 were highly correlated with method 3 (r = 0.998). The results indicate that the proposed method can be used as an automatic or semi-automatic counting method in clinics that are currently using the manual method for RBC assessment.(AU)

A contagem de células vermelhas do sangue desempenha um papel importante no diagnóstico de animais. Apesar da existência de muitas tecnologias em diferentes contadores automatizados para análise de sangue, quando se trata do sangue de animais silvestres ainda é difícil encontrar uma solução simples e econômica para múltiplas espécies. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar o contador de células vermelhas proposto. Amostras de sangue (uma jaguatirica - Leopardus pardalis, um macaco - Cebus apella, um quati - Nasua nasua, 62 cães - Canis familiaris e cinco cavalos - Equus caballus) foram analisadas por três métodos: 1 - contagem manual, 2 - contagem automática por imagem e 3 - contagem semiautomática por imagem; as amostras de cães e cavalos foram analisadas por um quarto método: 4 - contagem automática por impedância. As contagens dos métodos 2 e 3 foram obtidas usando-se o contador de células vermelhas proposto. Os resultados foram comparados por meio da correlação de Pearson e gráficos com diferentes métodos como valor de referência. As contagens dos métodos 1, 2 e 3 se correlacionaram muito bem com as contagens do método 4 (r ≥ 0.94). As contagens produzidas pelo método 2 apresentaram alta correlação com o método 3 (r = 0.998). Os resultados indicam que o contador proposto pode ser usado como um método de contagem automática ou semiautomática em clínicas que usam o método manual para contagem de células vermelhas do sangue de animais.(AU)

Estimation and Comparison of Erythrocyte and Hemoglobin Levels in Subjects with Healthy Periodontium and Chronic Periodontitis

Objective: To compare and evaluate the relationship between anemia and periodontitis by estimation of peripheral blood between healthy patients and chronic periodontitis patients. Material and Methods: Of the total of 230 outpatients approached to participate in the study, 100 eligible patients were selected as per the selection criteria. After written consent, these patients were divided into two groups according to the clinical parameters as healthy and disease (chronic periodontitis) groups. Under aseptic conditions, venous blood samples were obtained by vein-puncture in the ante-cubital fossa without excessive venous stasis and the mean value of erythrocytes (EC), hemoglobin concentration (HGB), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were measured. Paired t-test was employed to find the significance of study parameters on continuous scale within the group analysis and unpaired t-test (two tailed, dependent) was used to find the significance of study parameters on continuous scale in the inter group analysis. Results: Generally, the healthy group reported higher levels of EC, HGB, MCV and MCH than the periodontitis group. The mean hemoglobin level was significantly higher (p-value<0.05) in healthy patients (12.66 ±1.41 gm/dl) whereas a slightly lower level of 11.32±1.85 gm/dl was observed in patients with chronic periodontitis. Similarly, the range of erythrocyte count of healthy patients was significantly higher (3.69-5.29 million/µl) than chronic periodontitis patients (3.33-5.97 million/µl). Whilst MCV was higher in healthy patients but non-significant, higher mean MCH of 27.75 ± 3.25 pg/cell was reported in healthy patients compared to mean of 25.73 ± 3.22 pg/cell in patients with chronic periodontitis. Conclusion: Significant hematological differences in EC, HGB, MCV and MCH between healthy periodontium and chronic periodontitis subjects were seen indicating mild anemia.

Estudio comparativo de la frecuencia de micronúcleos y anormalidades nucleares en eritrocitos de tres especies ícticas / Comparative studies of the frequency of micronuclei and nuclear abnormalities in erythrocytes of three species fishes

Los ecosistemas acuáticos cercanos a las zonas urbanas sufren un deterioro constante ocasionado por diversos factores físico-químicos relacionados con la actividad antrópica, representando un riesgo para los organismos que los habitan, en especial los peces. Estos efectos pueden ser biomonitoreados mediante técnicas de amplia utilización, como el Test de Micronúcleos (Mn) y el de Anormalidades nucleares (AN), entre otros. El objetivo de este trabajo fue verifcar y comparar la frecuencia de micronúcleos y anormalidades nucleares en tres especies ícticas colectadas en un lago urbano, Cyprinus carpio, Astyanax eigenmanniorum y Cheirodon interruptus. Luego de la captura y anestesia de los peces, se extrajo de cada individuo una muestra de sangre y se registró el peso y la longitud total. Las muestras fueron fjadas y luego teñidas con Giemsa al 10%, posteriormente se las analizó con microscopio (1000X) y se les tomaron fotografías con cámara digital. Se calculó, además, el índice de condición corporal (K) para cada uno de los ejemplares capturados. Se aplicó un análisis de correlación de rangos de Spearman (rs) entre frecuencia de Mn y AN vs K para cada especie. La prueba de Kruskal-Wallis se aplicó para evaluar diferencias de Mn y AN entre las especies. Los resultados no mostraron una correlación estadísticamente signifcativa (P> 0,05) entre las frecuencias de Mn y AN vs K. Las frecuencias de Mn entre las diferentes especies no arrojaron diferencias signifcativas (P> 0,05), mientras que las AN sí (P< 0,05). Astyanax eigenmanniorum fue la especie que mayor sensibilidad presentó. Las diferencias preliminares de AN entre las especies utilizadas, convierten a A. eigenmanniorum en una especie "centinela" y posible biomonitor de agentes xenobióticos.

Aquatic ecosystems near urban areas suffer a steady deterioration caused by physical and chemical factors related to human activity, representing a danger to organisms that inhabit them, especially the fsh. These effects may be biomonitored by widely used techniques, such as the Micronucleus Test (Mn) and Nuclear Abnormalities (NA), among others. The aim of this study was to verify and compare the frequency of micronuclei and nuclear abnormalities in three fsh species collected in an urban lake, Cyprinus carpio, Astyanax eigenmanniorum and Cheirodon interruptus. After the capture and anesthesia of the fsh, weight and length were registered, and a blood sample was obtained from each individual. The samples were fxed and stained with 10% Giemsa, subsequently they were analyzed with the microscope (1000X) and photographed with a digital camera. The body con-dition index (K) was calculated for each fsh caught. A correlation analysis Spearman rank (rs) between frequency of Mn and NA vs. K was performed for each species. The Kruskal-Wallis test was applied to assess differences in Mn and NA between species. The results showed no statistically signifcant correlation (P> 0.05) between the frequencies of Mn and NA vs K. The frequencies of Mn between different species yielded no signifcant differences (P> 0.05), whereas NA (P <0.05) did. A. eigenmanniorum was the most sensitive species. NA preliminary differences between the species used, convert A. eigenmanniorum in a sort of "sentinel specie" and a possible biomonitor of xenobiotic agents.

Erythrogram and erythrocytes measurement of ostriches (Struthio camelus) in São José do Rio Preto-SP, Brazil / Eritrograma e medição dos eritrócitos de avestruzes (Struthio camelus) em São José do Rio Preto-SP, Brasil

Ostriches’ erythrocytic parameters help on the diagnosis of specific pathologies and serve as basic knowledge for studies incomparative avian pathology. To obtain reference values of erythrocyte indices for ostriches (Struthio camelus) raised in acommercial system in Brazil and verify if there are differences between gender and age groups, 240 healthy from both sexesanimals were bled. Heparinized blood samples were analyzed using standard techniques to determine the red blood cell(RBC) count, hemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscularhemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) values, besides the red cell morphometryanalysis using a computer software that calculates the greater and the smaller diameters of the erythrocytes. Prior to dataanalysis, ostriches were divided into three different age groups: from four to 13 months, from 13 to 23 months and from23 to 30 months the. Younger ostriches presented lower erythrocyte indices than the older ones. The age group effect wasonly significant in females for the erythrocyte, hemoglobin, MCV, MCH, and MCHC variables. The female ostrichespresented PCV, MCV, MCH, and MCHC values significantly higher than males in some age groups. It was observed thatthe erythrocytes of the female ostriches are more elongated and larger than males. It was concluded that erythrocyticparameters of ostriches in São José do Rio Preto-SP, Brazil are influenced by gender and age, highlighting the importanceof consider besides these factors also the geoclimatic conditions to an adequate interpretation of the erythrogram.

Os parâmetros eritrocitários de avestruzes auxiliam no diagnóstico de afecções específicas, além de servir comoconhecimento básico no estudo de patologia comparativa das aves. Para obtenção de valores de referência dos índiceseritrocitários de avestruzes (Struthio camelus) criados em um sistema comercial no Brasil e verificar se existemdiferenças relativas ao sexo e faixas etárias, foram colhidas amostras sanguíneas de 240 animais saudáveis e de ambos ossexos. Amostras sanguíneas heparinizadas foram analisadas utilizando técnicas-padrão para determinar a contagem deeritrócitos, concentração de hemoglobina, hematócrito, volume corpuscular médio (VCM), hemoglobina corpuscularmédia (HCM), concentração de hemoglobina corpuscular média (CHCM) além da análise morfométrica dos eritrócitosutilizando um programa de computador que calcula os diâmetros maior e menor dos eritrócitos. Para a análise dos dadosos avestruzes foram divididos em três diferentes faixas etárias: de quatro a 13 meses; de 13 a 23 meses e de 23 a 30 meses.De modo geral, avestruzes jovens apresentaram índices eritrocitários inferiores aos dos animais mais velhos. Diferençasrelativas à idade só foram significativamente relevantes em fêmeas para os valores de eritrócitos, hemoglobina, VCM,HCM e CHCM. As avestruzes fêmeas apresentaram valores de hematócrito, VCM, HCM e CHCM significantementemaiores que os machos em algumas faixas etárias. Os eritrócitos de avestruzes fêmeas são mais compridos e largosdo que os de machos. Pode-se concluir que os parâmetros eritrocitários de avestruzes em São José do Rio Preto-SP, Brasil estão sob influência do sexo e da idade, ressaltando a importância de considerar além desses fatores, também ascondições geoclimáticas para uma interpretação adequada do eritrograma.

Eritrograma, metabolismo do ferro e concentração sérica de eritropoetina em fêmeas caprinas da raça Saanen nos períodos de gestação, parto e pós-parto / Erithrogram, iron metabolism and serum erythropoietin concentration in female Saanen caprine in the pregnancy, parturition and postpartum periods

As alterações hematológicas durante o período de gestação, parto e pós-parto são de grande importância em humanos e têm sido estudadas em várias espécies de animais domésticos. O objetivo do trabalho foi determinar as alterações no eritrograma, no metabolismo do ferro e na concentração sérica de eritropoetina durante os períodos de gestação, parto e pós-parto em fêmeas nulíparas Saanen. Foram colhidas amostras de sangue de 20 fêmeas, clinicamente sadias, aos 49 (M1), 42 (M2), 35 (M3), 28 (M4), 21 (M5), 14 (M6), sete (M7), três (M8) dias antes do parto, no dia do parto (M9), três (M10) e sete (M11) dias após o parto, para a realização do eritrograma, proteína plasmática total, e dosagens séricas de eritropoetina, ferro, capacidade total de ligação do ferro, índice de saturação da transferrina e ferritina. Os dados foram analisados pelo teste de análise de variância (ANOVA) ao nível de 5 por cento de significância (P<0,05). Houve diferença significativa (P<0,05) entre alguns momentos para as variáveis, número de eritrócitos, concentração de hemoglobina, volume globular, proteína total plasmática, concentração de ferro sérico, capacidade total de ligação do ferro (CLTF) e índice de saturação da transferrina (IST). Não houve diferença significativa (P<0,05) para as variáveis eritropoetina, volume corpuscular médio (VCM), hemoglobina corpuscular média (HCM), concentração de hemoglobina corpuscular média (CHCM), distribuição do diâmetro dos eritrócitos (DDE) e ferritina. Concluiu-se que não há aumento do estímulo para a produção de eritrócitos durante os períodos de gestação, parto e pós-parto em fêmeas Saanen e as alterações encontradas no eritrograma e no metabolismo do ferro não possuem significado clínico.

Hematological changes during the pregnancy and parturition are of great importance in humans and have been studied in several species of domestic animals. The objective was to determine changes in erythrogram, iron metabolism and the serum concentration of erythropoietin in nuliparous female Saanen caprine during periods of pregnancy, parturition and postpartum. Blood samples were collected from 20 goats, clinically healthy, the 49 (M1), 42 (M2), 35 (M3), 28 (M4), 21 (M5), 14 (M6), seven (M7), three (M8) days in the pregnancy, parturition (M9), three (M10) and seven (M11) days postpartum for the erythrogram, plasma total protein and the serum of erythropoietin, iron, total iron binding capacity, transferrin saturation index and ferritin determination. The data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) at 5 percent level of significance (P<0,05). Significant difference (P<0,05) between a few moments for the variables, erythrocytes count, hemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, total plasma proteins, serum iron concentration, total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and transferrin saturation index (TSI) determination. There were no significant difference for the variables erythropoietin, mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell hemoglobin (MCH), mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), red cell distribution width (RDW) and ferritin. In conclusion, there was no stimulus for the increasing of the red blood cells production during the periods of pregnancy, parturition and postpartum in nuliparous Saanen goats. No clinical significance was observed in the in red blood cell count and in the iron metabolism.

Eritrograma e variantes de hemoglobina em caprinos da raça Canindé / Erythrogram and hemoglobin types in Canindé goats

The erythrogram and hemoglobin types in Canindé goats were determined. Twenty blood samples were collected from the animals and used for determination of packed cell volume (PCV), erythrocytes counts, hemoglobin concentration, calculation of mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and electrophoretic separation of hemoglobin types. The values for erythrogram were: PCV 34.6±4.62 percent, hemoglobin 10.1±1.05mg/dl, erythrocytes 15.3±4.54x106/mm3, MCV 24.0±5.83fl, and MCHC 29.3±2.44g/dl. Electrophoretic separation of hemoglobin types revealed only one type characterized as hemoglobin A (HbAA).

Hematobiochemical changes and antioxidant status of heat stressed rabbit bucks and its amelioration using chromium picolinate

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary chromium picolinate on heat stressed NewZeland White rabbit [NZW] bucks. Forty five NZW rabbit bucks were used in this study and divided into 3 equal groups. The first group was kept in an ambient temperature of 18 +/- 0.5 °C and relative humidity [RH] of 62 +/- 0.5% corresponding to the thermo neutral zone of this species and kept as control normal group. While the second and third groups were exposed to heat stress by establishing an ambient temperature of 35.5 +/- 0.5 °C and relative humidity of 68 +/- 0.5% for 5 hours / day for 3 consecutive days. The second group was kept as heat stressed group, while the third group was given a diet supplemented with chromium picolinate 1200 microgram/kg diet. Whole blood and serum samples were collected from all groups just after heat termination, 1, 3 and 7 days post heat stress. The results of this study revealed that heat stress [HS] elicited significant decrease in body weight in addition to significant increase in rectal temperature and respiration rate and significant decrease in body weight. HS produced significant decrease in red blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, total leukocytic count, lymphocytes and monocytes beside significant increase in heterophil and heterophil / lymphocyte ratio. Moreover, HS elicited significant decrease in serum total proteins, albumin and globulin in addition to significant increase in serum urea, creatinine and glucose. Also, HS lead to significant increase in serum Cortisol besides significant decrease in serum thyroid hormones. Regarding the effect of HS on antioxidant status, HS lead to significant increase in serum malondialdehyde [MDA] concentration with significant decrease in serum concentration of antioxidant vitamins [E, C and A] and trace elements [Iron, Zinc, Copper and chromium]. Chromium supplementation restored the abovementioned parameters towards the normal control values. It is concluded that chromium picolinate supplementation 1200 microgram/kg can be considered protective management practice in rabbit diet, alleviating the detrimental effects of HS

Correlación y conversión entre valores de colinesterasa eritrocitaria medida con las técnicas de Michel y EQM® / Correlation and interconversion between erythrocyte cholinesterase values obtained by the Michel and the EQM® techniques

Introducción. Las técnicas para medir colinesterasa eritrocitaria son muchas y es útil tener un modelo matemático que permita interconvertir valores. Objetivo. A partir de datos autóctonos de valores de referencia de actividad colinesterásica medida por las técnicas de Michel y EQM® hallar una ecuación para transformar unas unidades en otras. Materiales y métodos. Diseño descriptivo, transversal y prospectivo, con sendas muestras representativas de poblaciones laborales adultas, de 18 a 75 años de edad, no expuestas a plaguicidas inhibidores de colinesterasa, vinculadas al Seguro Social y situadas en el valle de Aburrá y en el cercano oriente antioqueño (Antioquia, Colombia). Resultados. En las 827 personas, las pruebas eritrocitarias cuantitativas (Michel y EQM®) tienen coeficiente ®r¼ entre 0,666 y coeficiente R2 de 44 por ciento. La correlación es mayor en Aburrá que en Oriente. El modelo lineal en los 827 sujetos es: EQM® en U/g oxihemoglobina = 9,57509 U/g oxihemoglobina + 29,7914 (Michel en deltas de pH/hora), Michel en deltas de pH/hora = 0,33120 deltas de pH/hora + 0,01487 (EQM® en U/g oxihemoglobina). Tanto las intersecciones (coeficiente a) como las pendientes (coeficiente b) son significativas en el modelo. En las ecuaciones ajustadas, al excluir doce datos extremos (1,5 por ciento de 827), el coeficiente r sube de 0,666 a más de 0,718 y ellas son: EQM U/g oxihemoglobina = 8,18840 U/g oxihemoglobina + 31,3920 (Michel deltas de pH/hora), Michel deltas de pH/hora = 0,292510 deltas de pH/hora + 0,016101 (EQM U/g oxihemoglobina). Conclusión. Este sistema de ecuaciones lineales permitirá convertir unidades Michel (delta PH/hora) en unidades EQM (U/g oxihemoglobina) y viceversa, lo cual facilitará el trabajo en ambientes clínicos y epidemiológicos.

Introduction. Several techniques are available to measure red cell cholinesterase; therefore, evaluations with several methods provide a measure of concordance. Objective. An equation was formulated to transform native data of reference values to reference units of cholinesterase activity as measured by Michel and EQM® tests. Materials and methods. The experimental design was descriptive, transversal and prospective. The group sampled was a representative adult working population, aged 18-75, without previous exposure to cholinesterase inhibitors pesticides. The individuals were affiliated to the Social Security System and resided in Valle de Aburrá and Cercano Oriente Antioqueño (Antioquia Province, northwestern Colombia). Results. Of 827 individuals, quantitative erythrocytes (Michel y EQM®) tests exhibited “r” coefficients between 0.67 and R2 coefficient of 44%.,This indicated that one test explained the results in other test in 44% of the cases. The corelation was higher in Aburrá than in Oriente. The linear model for the 827 individuals was as follows: EQM U/g oxy-hemoglobin = 9.575 U/ g oxy-hemoglobin + 29.791 (Michel delta pH/hour). Michel delta pH/hr = 0.3312 delta pH/hour + 0.0149 (EQM U/g oxy-hemoglobin), where EQM® was expressed in U/g oxy-hemoglobin and Michel pH change/hr. Inter-sections (coefficient a) and inclines (coefficient b) were significant in this model. In the adjusted equations, after exclusion of 12 extreme data (1.5% of 827), the r coefficient increased from 0.67 to 0.72 The adjusted equations were as follows: EQM U/g oxy-hemoglobin = 8.1884 U/g oxy-hemoglobin + 31.3920 (Michel delta pH/hour); Michel delta pH/hr = 0.2925 delta pH/hr + 0.0161 (EQM U/g oxy-hemoglobin). Conclusion. This system of linear equations permitted the transformation of Michel (delta PH/ hr) units to EQM (U/g oxy-hemoglobin) units and vice versa. This will facilitate data comparisons by clinicians and epidemiologists who are using these methods of cholinesterase...

Experimental Trypanosoma evansi infection in donkeys: hematological, biochemical and histopathological changes

Five adult donkeys were experimentally infected with Brazilian strain of Trypanosoma evansi originally isolated from a naturally infected dog to study the hematological biochemical and histopathological alterations during the evolution of the disease. The course of the experimental infection was followed up to 145 days. Hematological analyses of the infected donkeys revealed a marked decline in hemoglobin, packed-cell volume, and erythrocyte count. Anemia was observed after successive peaks of parasitemia. Biochemical analyses showed increased levels of icterus index, serum globulins and decreased serum albumin and glucose values. All infected donkeys revealed enlargement of spleen and its white pulp, enlargement of mediastinal lymph nodes and lungs congestion. The main histopathological features consisted of meningoencephalitis. Demyelination in some areas of the cerebellum pediculus and neuropil vacuolization were observed. This study showed that donkeys infected with a Brazilian strain of T. evansi developed a chronic disease.

Cinco jumentos, adultos foram infectados experimentalmente com cepa brasileira de Trypanosoma evansi, isolada de um cão naturalmente infectado, com o intuito de observar as alterações hematológicas, bioquímicas e histopatológicas durante a evolução da enfermidade. O curso da infecção experimental foi de 145 dias. Análise hematológica dos jumentos infectados revelou declínio nos valores de hemoglobina, hematócrito e contagem total de eritrócitos. Notou-se anemia após sucessivos picos de parasitemia. Análise bioquímica indicou aumento dos níveis de índice ictérico, globulinas séricas e diminuição dos valores séricos de albumina e glicose. Todos os jumentos infectados apresentaram aumento do baço e de sua polpa branca, aumento de linfonodos mediastínicos e congestão pulmonar. Meningoencefalite foi o principal achado histopatológico. Em algumas áreas do pedículo cerebelar foram observadas desmielinização, além de vacuolização do neurópilo. O estudo mostrou que jumentos infectados com a cepa brasileira do T. evansi desenvolveram doença crônica.

Valores da Amplitude de Distribuição do Tamanho dos Eritrócitos (RDW) em eqüinos Puro Sangue Inglês (PSI) submetidos a exercícios de diferentes intensidades / Values of Red Blood Cell Distribution Width (RDW) in thoroughbred horse submitted to exercise of different intensity

O presente estudo foi delineado para avaliar as alterações nos valores da amplitude de distribuição do tamanho dos eritrócitos (RDW) e do volume globular médio (VGM) em eqüinos PSI submetidos a exercícios de diferentes intensidades. Foram colhidas amostras de sangue de 60 eqüinos, PSI, sendo 30 machos e 30 fêmeas, distribuídos nos seguintes grupos: eqüinos de 24 a 36 meses de idade não submetidos a treinamento e após um período de 12 meses de treinamento; eqüinos de 36 a 48 meses de idade em fase de treinamento, antes e após o trote e antes e após o galope. As amostras foram processadas no contador automático de células Cell-Dyn 3500R (Abbott Diagnostic). Os valores médios obtidos para o RDW aumentaram significativamente após o trote e galope, demonstrando ocorrer alteração no grau de anisocitose porém os valores do VGM não apresentaram alterações nesses mesmos momentos.

In order to evaluate the influence of exercise of different intensities on Red Blood Cell Distribution width (RDW) and Packed Cell Volume (VG) in Thoroughbred horses, blood was collected from 60 animals, 30 males and 30 females, subdivided in groups of horses with 24 to 36 months of age and not in training, and after 12 months of training, and horses with 36 to 48 months of age in training. Blood samples where collected before and after trot and gallop. Samples where analyzed with a automatic cell counter (Cell-Dyn 3500R, Abbott Diagnostic). Red Blood Cell Distribution width (RDW) values increased significantly after trot and gallop demonstrating a variation in the size of red blood cells, while Packed Medium Cell Volume (VGM) values did not show variations before or after exercise.

Anemia ferropriva e beta-talassemia heterozigota: aspectos laboratoriais e diagnóstico diferencial / Iron deficiency anemia and beta-thalassemia minor: laboratorial aspects and differential diagnostic

As anemias microcíticas e hipocrômicas consistem nas anemias mais freqüentes em todo o mundo. Esta alta incidência deve-se, principalmente, a anemia ferropriva e a beta-talassemia heterozigota. Desta forma, em regiöes onde essas duas formas de anemia estäo presentes, o correto diagnóstico torna-se imprescindível. Várias regras foram propostas para a realizaçäo do diagnóstico diferencial, entretanto, nenhuma delas mostrou-se completamente confiável para um diagnóstico preciso. o conhecimento das características de cada uma dessas doenças certamente facilitará o diagnóstico diferencial. A análise dos resultados do hemograma, das dosagens bioquímicas e da eletroforese, em conjunto, é necessária para um diagnóstico diferencial definitivo

Estudos sobre a preservacao de eritrocitos / Studies about eritrocits preservation

Estudou-se a preservacao de eritrocitos in vitro, mantidos em ADSOL (AD), em meio CE com vitamina E (CE) e em meio CE com vitamina E apos fixacao parcial com GL utaraldeido (GACE), a 4'graus'C por 14 a 22 semanas. A morfologia eritrocitaria foi melhor preservada em amostras GACE, onde observou-se, apos 10 semanas, mais de 35 por cento de discocitos, e menos de vinte por cento de esferocitos - forma pre-hemolitica. Nestas amostras os parametros eritrocitarios apresentaram-se mais estaveis durante 14 semanas, com menores indices de hemolise (1 por cento), em comparacao as CE (2 por cento) e as AD (sete por cento), em 12 semanas. O consumo de glicose, o PH e os niveis de ATP diminuiram exponencialmente. O ATP atingiu quarenta por cento dos valores iniciais apos 6 semanas, enquanto PH e o consumo de glicose apresentaram queda mais rapida nas 3 primeiras semanas. As concentracoes de 2,3-DPG reduziram-se rapidamente apos a primeira semana, com valores mais baixos em amostras AD na segunda e terceira semanas, exaurindo-se em ate 5 semanas. As atividades das enzimas HX, PFKM PK, GAPD, G6-PD, GSHPX, 6-PGD e GR diminuiram exponencialmente, mantendo-se em patamares de quarenta por cento a oitenta por cento das iniciais apos a quinta semana, geralmente menores em GACE. As proteinas da membrana eritrocitaria, avaliadas por eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida-DODEC il-sulfato de sodio apresentaram a formacao de oligomeros em GACE. Amostras GACE sao adequadas a estudos de eritrocitos

The basics of blood cell counter.

The time has come when a traditional hematologist of a developing country needs to change his frame of mind from time consuming, error prone, not so precise manual methodologies to economical, safe and precise automated procedures. More important is his role as a guide and teacher for his juniors who are exposed to automated laboratories from the beginning of their residency. At this juncture, one needs to be thorough with the principles of instrumentation, different models available, their merits and demerits and how and where these fit with the requirements of the laboratory. The haematologists also must be aware that automation has its own problems, limitations, disadvantages and interfering elements. The article discusses the present state of art.