ABSTRACT
Southern giant pouched rats (Cricetomys ansorgei) are muroid rodents native to subSaharan Africa. They are increasingly used as service animals because of their keen sense of smell and are primarily known for clearing minefields in Africa. The objectives of this study were to determine hematologic and biochemical reference intervals from clinically healthy wild-caught captive adult rats, to describe the cytochemical staining reactions of peripheral blood leukocytes, and to document urinalysis findings. Blood samples were collected from the coccygeal artery of 60 isoflurane-anesthetized rats (36 males and 24 females) and analyzed with automated hematologic and biochemical analyzers; manual differential cell counts were performed on modified Wright-stained blood smears. Urine was collected by cystocentesis, and dipsticks were analyzed on a urine analyzer, with visual examination of unstained sediments. Samples from a male rat with chronic renal disease were excluded from analysis. Reference intervals were determined according to guidelines established by the American Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathology. Lymphocytes were the dominant leukocyte in peripheral blood and granular lymphocytes were identified in most animals. Male rats had significantly higher RBC, absolute reticulocyte counts, and MCV than did female rats. Minor sex-associated differences in urea nitrogen concentration and GGT activity were noted. Leukocytes showed unique cytochemical staining characteristics. Small amounts of protein and bilirubin were found in the urine of rats of both sexes and of female rats, respectively, particularly in concentrated urine. These results will provide benchmarks for determining health status and identifying disease in this species of rat.
Subject(s)
Hematologic Tests , Rodentia , Animals , Blood Cell Count/veterinary , Female , Hematologic Tests/veterinary , Male , Rats , Reference ValuesABSTRACT
[This corrects the article on p. 76 in vol. 4, PMID: 28620611.].
ABSTRACT
Clonality testing for rearrangements in the complementarity-determining region 3 of the immunoglobulin heavy chain of B lymphocytes (B cell receptor) and the T cell receptor of T lymphocytes helps distinguish between clonal and non-clonal expansions of lymphocytes. There are rare reports of clonally rearranged T and B cell receptors in dogs with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Our objective was to determine the frequency of clonally rearranged T and B cell receptors in dogs with AML. Archived slides from historical cases of AML (from January 2010 to June 2013) and slides or liquid specimens [blood, bone marrow (BM), body cavity fluid, or tissue aspirates] from cases of AML diagnosed between June 2013 and February 2017 were used in the study. A diagnosis of AML was made on the basis of more than 20% immature neoplastic cells ("blasts") in blood, BM, or extramedullary tissues, displaying features of myeloid differentiation. Myeloid differentiation was based on a combination of morphologic criteria, positive flow cytometric labeling for surface antigens typical of myeloid origin (e.g., CD11b, CD11c, CD14 with a general lack of expression of T or B cell markers), or positive cytochemical staining reactions for myeloid-associated enzymes (e.g., alkaline phosphatase, chloroacetate esterase). There were 63 cases of AML diagnosed during this period; however, slides or liquid specimens with sufficient DNA for testing were only obtained from 25 dogs. Affected dogs represented various breeds and were a median of 8 years old, with more male (64%) than female (36%) dogs. Common clinical signs were peripheral or internal lymphadenopathy (10/25 dogs, 40%) and hepatomegaly or splenomegaly (10/25 dogs combined, 40%). Typical hematologic findings were bi- or pancytopenia (23/25 dogs, 92%), with circulating blasts (21/25, 84%). Solitary clonal (4 B cell, 6 T cell) and biclonal (6 B and T cell) rearrangements in B or T cell receptors were found in 16 dogs (64%). Our results indicate that dogs with AML can have a high frequency of clonally rearranged T or B cell receptors, including biclonality, and clonality testing should not be used as a tool to distinguish between acute leukemia of myeloid or lymphoid origin.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Immunophenotyping has replaced cytochemical staining as the preferred technique for classifying acute leukemia. However, some acute myeloid leukemias (AML) lack lineage-associated markers. In our experience, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is expressed in immature canine monocytes. We hypothesized that ALP is a useful marker for monocytic AML. OBJECTIVES: The objective was to compare ALP expression in neoplastic cells from dogs with lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL), and AML. METHODS: Alkaline phosphatase results were retrieved from medical records of dogs with acute leukemia. Smears from dogs with lymphoma or leukemia were also prospectively stained for ALP activity. CLL was based on persistent lymphocytosis (10 × 10(9) /L) and acute leukemia on ≥ 20% blasts in blood or bone marrow. ALL was classified based on positive phenotyping for T- or B-lymphocyte antigens, and AML on positive phenotyping for CD11b, CD11c or CD14, or cytochemical staining for chloroacetate esterase, Sudan Black B, or myeloperoxidase. RESULTS: There was no ALP activity in all 49 lymphomas and 7 CLLs. Weak ALP activity was seen in 31% of 14 ALL (all T-ALL). ALP activity was seen in all 20 AML (P < .001 vs ALL) with strong activity in 64% (vs 25% ALL) in most neoplastic cells (median 75% vs 9% ALL, P = .020). Of AML, 80% were CD34+ (vs 39% ALL, P = .027) and 100% were MHCII- (vs 43% ALL, P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: ALP activity may be useful for AML confirmation in dogs, particularly if neoplastic cells only express CD34+ on immunophenotyping.
