RESUMO
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.
