Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Blood cell ratios in healthy and sick dogs with Leishmania infection
By Donato, Giulia et al.·Published in Parasites & vectors·2024·Università, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Clinical significance of blood cell ratios in healthy and sick Leishmania infantum-seropositive dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs tested positive for Leishmania infantum, a parasite that can cause serious health issues, were evaluated for blood cell ratios to see if these could help identify healthy versus sick dogs. The study found that dogs with higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR) and monocyte-to-lymphocyte (MLR) ratios were more likely to have health problems. Interestingly, dogs with low albumin levels had even higher MLR ratios. These blood cell ratios could be helpful for veterinarians in diagnosing and monitoring the health of dogs affected by this parasite.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: The accuracy of blood cell ratios (BCRs) as cost-effective and easily accessible diagnostic and prognostic markers of inflammatory conditions has been investigated in veterinary medicine in recent years. METHODS: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte (MLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte (PLR) ratios were studied in 195 dogs clinically evaluated and tested for anti-Leishmania infantum (Li) antibodies (Li-seronegative (Li), n = 10; Li-seropositive clinically healthy (Li), n = 100; Li-seropositive with clinical and/or clinicopathological abnormalities (Li), n = 85). The Lidogs were classified in LeishVet stages IIa/IIb (Li) (n = 66) and III/IV (Li) (n = 19). BCR relationships with LeishVet clinical stage, antibody levels, and serum protein electrophoretic fraction concentrations were investigated. RESULTS: Higher NLR values were found in Li, Li, and Lisick dogs compared to Lidogs (P < 0.001). Higher NLR and MLR were found in Li(NLR, P < 0.001; MLR, P = 0.034) and Lidogs (NLR, P < 0.001; MLR, P = 0.005) compared to Lidogs, and in Lidogs (NLR, P = 0.002; MLR, P < 0.001) compared to Li. All three BCRs were higher in Li(NLR, MLR, P < 0.001; PLR, P = 0.023) and Lidogs (NLR P < 0.001; MLR P = 0.001; PLR, P = 0.012) compared to Lidogs. The BCRs failed to distinguish dogs with moderate (Li) and severe or very severe disease (Li). BCRs demonstrated weak positive correlations with serum globulin fractions and antibody levels, and weak negative correlations with serum albumin level were found. Lidogs presenting hypoalbuminemia showed higher MLR ratios (P = 0.001) than those with normal albumin values. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that BCR measures provide useful information for differentiating antibody-positive healthy and sick dogs at diagnosis. Dogs with hypoalbuminemia showed higher MLR values despite monocytosis being very rare.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39444011/