Quantitative and qualitative morphologic, cytochemical, and ultrastructural characteristics of blood cells in captive Asian water monitors.

BACKGROUND: The Asian water monitor (Varanus salvator) is the most common monitor lizard in Thailand. Reported data regarding hematology and morphology of blood cells for this species are scarce. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess routine hematologic variables and characterize the morphology, cytochemical staining, and ultrastructural features of blood cells in the Asian water monitor. METHODS: Blood samples from 55 monitors (22 males and 33 females) were obtained for a CBC. Cytochemical staining (Sudan black B [SBB], peroxidase [PO], α-naphthyl acetate esterase [ANAE], and beta-glucuronidase [BG]), and scanning and transmission electron microscopy were performed using standard methods. RESULTS: Determined mean (range) hematologic results of all monitors included PCV 0.32 L/L (0.20-0.44 L/L), HGB 106 g/L (62-157 g/L), WBC 15.9 × 10(9) /L (4.0-34.0 × 10(9) /L), heterophil 6.3 × 10(9) /L (1.5-17.1 × 10(9) /L, azurophil 2.6 × 10(9) /L (0.7-9.5 × 10(9) /L), basophil 0.1 (0.1-0.5 × 10(9) /L), lymphocyte 6.8 × 10(9) /L (0.5-13.1 × 10(9) /L), and monocyte 0.2 × 10(9) /L (0.04-1 × 10(9) /L) counts. Heterophils and basophils stained strongly positive with SBB, ANAE, and BG. Heterophils contained 2 types of granules, round SBB-positive and PO-negative granules, and electron-dense, large rod-shaped granules. Gamonts of Hepatozoon sp. were found in <1% RBC of 43 monitors. There was no significant difference between hematologic variables in Hepatozoon-positive and -negative monitors. CONCLUSION: Heterophils in Asian water monitors may also function as eosinophils based on cytochemical and ultrastructural features. The quantitative results may be used as base for further studies in healthy and diseased Asian water monitors.

Hemostatic Markers in Congestive Heart Failure Dogs with Mitral Valve Disease.

Prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen, D-dimer, antithrombin III (AT III), protein C (PC), factor VII (F.VII), and factor VIII (F.VIII), as well as hematocrit (HCT), platelets number (PLT), total plasma protein (TP), and albumin (ALB), were studied on fifty-eight congestive heart failure (CHF) dogs with mitral valve disease (MVD) and fifty control dogs. All of variables of MVD group, except APTT, were significantly different (P < 0.5) from control group. The variables were also compared among functional classes of CHF dogs and control dogs. It was determined that the higher the functional class of CHF dogs was, the greater the levels of fibrinogen and D-dimer were, whereas the lesser the activities of AT III and PC were presented. Additionally, TP had linear correlation with fibrinogen, D-dimer, HCT, and PLT (r = 0.31, 0.30, 0.43, and 0.38, resp., P < 0.5). These findings suggested that fibrinogen and D-dimer were the factors predisposing hypercoagulability through an increase in blood viscosity. The hemorheological abnormalities would shift an overall hemostatic balance toward a more thrombotic state in CHF dogs with MVD.

Characterization of blood cells in the Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis).

BACKGROUND: The Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) is the most frequently encountered wild cat in most of Southeast Asia. Limited hematologic investigation exists for this species. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to assess routine hematologic measurements and parameters and characterize the morphology, cytochemical staining, and ultrastructural features of blood cells in Leopard Cats. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 12 adult healthy captive Leopard Cats (7 males and 5 females). Complete blood counts were performed using an automated hematology analyzer and manual differential counts. Cytochemical staining (Sudan black B [SBB], peroxidase [PO], periodic acid-Schiff [PAS], alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase [ANAE], and beta-glucuronidase [BG]) and scanning and transmission electron microscopy were performed using standard methods. RESULTS: Median (range) hematologic results were as follows: PCV 0.46 L/L (0.30-0.55 L/L), hemoglobin 136.5 g/L (100-183 g/L), WBC 9.0 x 10(9)/L (6.9-15.2 x 10(9)/L), band neutrophils 0.07 x 10(9)/L (0-0.30 x 10(9)/L), segmented neutrophils 2.9 x 10(9)/L (1.2-6.34 x 10(9)/L), lymphocytes 5.3 x 10(9)/L (2.7-8.1 x 10(9)/L), eosinophils 0.14 x 10(9)/L (0-0.73 x 10(9)/L), basophils 0/L (0-0.22 x 10(9)/L), and monocytes 0.08 x 10(9)/L (0-0.30 x 10(9)/L). Neutrophils stained strongly positive for SBB, PO, and PAS; lymphocytes had fine granular positivity for ANAE and BG; monocytes were weakly positive for ANAE and BG; and basophils were strongly positive for BG. Ultrastructurally, eosinophils contained many large rod-shaped granules with prominent crystalloid core structures, ribosomes, and mitochondria. Basophils contained many round to oval specific granules with homogeneous contents. Low number of basophils contained a few small vacuoles that usually were not detected by light microscopy. CONCLUSION: These findings will facilitate interpretation of hematologic results for future investigative and diagnostic studies of this species.

Acute monoblastic leukemia in a FeLV-positive cat.

A 1.6-year-old male domestic short hair cat was brought to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Kasetsart University, with signs of severe anemia, depression, and general lymph node enlargement. Complete blood count revealed leukocytosis and massive undifferentiated blasts. Testing for antibodies specific to feline leukemia virus (FeLV) was positive, and FeLV nucleic acid was confirmed by nested polymerase chain reaction. Base on cytochemistry and ultrastructure, the cat was diagnosed with acute monoblastic leukemia.

Hematology, cytochemistry and ultrastructure of blood cells in fishing cat (Felis viverrina).

Hematological, cytochemical and ultrastructural features of blood cells in fishing cat (Felis viverrina) were evaluated using complete blood cell counts with routine and cytochemical blood stains, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. No statistically significant difference was found in different genders of this animal. Unique features of blood cells in this animal were identified in hematological, cytochemical and ultrastructural studies. This study contributes to broaden hematological resources in wildlife animals and provides a guideline for identification of blood cells in the fishing cat.