ABSTRACT
Salmon poisoning disease (SPD) is caused by a rickettsial organism, Neorickettsia helminthoeca, that is carried by the trematode Nanophyetus salmincola, which encysts in freshwater fish, most commonly salmonids. We reported two dogs from the United States West Coast that had similar clinical signs, hematologic and biochemistry findings. They were both diagnosed with salmon poisoning disease. Lymph node cytology showed morula formation, suggestive of N. helminthoeca organisms in macrophages, while the parasitological fecal test found ova of N. salmincola. The dogs were treated early and showed complete remission of clinical signs within a few days. Lymph node cytology and fecal parasitology are quick and low-cost tests that can be performed whenever SPD is suspected. SPD should be considered as a differential diagnosis for a canine patient with clinical signs of vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and lymphadenomegaly; laboratory findings of thrombocytopenia and hypoalbuminemia; and potential exposure to raw fish from the West Coast of the US or Southern Brazil. The earlier the diagnosis and treatment, the greater the chance of survival.
A doença da intoxicação por salmão (SPD) é causada por um organismo rickettsial, Neorickettsia helminthoeca, que é transportado pelo trematódeo Nanophyetus salmincola, que encista em peixes de água doce, mais comumente salmonídeos. Relatamos dois cães da Costa Oeste dos Estados Unidos que apresentaram sinais clínicos, achados hematológicos e bioquímicos semelhantes. Ambos foram diagnosticados com doença de envenenamento por salmão. A citologia de linfonodo evidenciou formação de mórula, sugestiva de organismos de N. helminthoeca em macrófagos, enquanto o exame parasitológico de fezes encontrou ovos de N. salmincola. Os cães foram tratados precocemente e apresentaram remissão completa dos sinais clínicos em poucos dias. A citologia de linfonodo e a parasitologia fecal são exames rápidos e de baixo custo que podem ser realizados sempre que houver suspeita de SPD. A SPD deve ser considerada como diagnóstico diferencial para um paciente canino com sinais clínicos de vômitos, diarreia, letargia e linfadenomegalia; achados laboratoriais de trombocitopenia e hipoalbuminemia; e exposição potencial ao peixe cru da costa oeste dos EUA ou sul do Brasil. Quanto mais precoce o diagnóstico e tratamento, maior a chance de sobrevivência.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Point-of-care analyzers can provide a rapid turnaround time for critical blood test results. Agreement between the Enterprise Point-of-Care (EPOC) and bench-top laboratory analyzers is important to determine the clinical reliability of the EPOC. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was (1) to evaluate the precision (repeatability) of blood gas values measured by the EPOC and (2) to determine the level of agreement between the EPOC and Nova Critical Care Express (Nova CCX) for the assessment of arterial pH, blood gases, and electrolyte variables in canine and equine blood. METHODS: Arterial blood samples from dogs were analyzed on the EPOC and Nova CCX analyzers to determine precision and agreement of pH, PaCO2 , PaO2 , and HCT. The same analytes plus Na+ , K- , and Cl- were analyzed for agreement using equine blood. Statistical analyses included assessment of precision using the coefficient of variation (CV%), and agreement using the Deming regression, Pearson correlation, and Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: Both analyzers provided precise results of pH, PaCO2 , PaO2, and HCT, meeting CV% quality requirement values. In both species, Deming regression results were acceptable and correlation values were above 0.93 for arterial pH and blood gases, but lower for sodium and chloride. Bland-Altman plots demonstrated varying degrees of bias, but good agreement between the 2 analyzers was seen when arterial blood gases and electrolytes were measured, except for PaCO2 and Cl-. CONCLUSION: The EPOC analyzer provides consistent, reliable results for canine arterial blood gas values and for equine arterial blood gas and electrolyte values. Cl- results could be acceptable with the application of a correction factor, but the PaCO2 results were more variable.
