Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Erythrocyte abnormalities in dogs with low platelets
By Collicutt, Nancy B & Garner, Bridget·Published in Veterinary clinical pathology·2013·Veterinary Pathology Department, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Erythrocyte dysplasia in peripheral blood smears from 5 thrombocytopenic dogs treated with vincristine sulfate.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of five dogs with low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia) were treated with vincristine, a medication often used for immune-mediated conditions. Within a week of starting treatment, these dogs showed unusual changes in their red blood cells, which were noted in blood tests and bone marrow samples. Fortunately, these changes were not harmful and resolved on their own without any specific treatment. It's important for veterinarians to recognize these findings to avoid confusing them with more serious issues.
People also search for: dog low platelet count treatment · vincristine side effects in dogs · abnormal blood test results in dogs
Abstract
Secondary dyserythropoiesis has been associated with vincristine administration in dogs. Evaluation of bone marrow aspirates for the presence of morphologic abnormalities in the erythroid lineage aids in the diagnosis. However, morphologic features of circulating erythroid precursors in these cases have not been described previously. The purpose of this report was to describe the cytologic features of dyserythropoiesis in peripheral blood and also bone marrow smears in a case series of dogs with immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (IMT) treated with vincristine sulfate. Nineteen dogs receiving vincristine for treatment of IMT were identified by retrospectively searching a computerized medical record system. There were 5 dogs that had dysplastic erythroid precursors in peripheral blood smears within 7 days of vincristine treatment. Two of those 5 dogs also had evidence for erythrodysplasia in modified Wright's-stained bone marrow smears obtained postvincristine administration. Morphologic changes included bizarre or inappropriate mitotic figures, abnormal nuclear configurations (fragmentation, elongation, indentation, and binucleation), atypical nuclear remnants (Howell-Jolly bodies), or nuclear and cytoplasmic asynchrony within the erythroid precursors. A brief review of the literature with discussion of the etiologies for dyserythropoiesis is provided. The dyserythropoiesis was clinically insignificant in all 5 cases and resolved. However, pathologists and clinicians should be aware of these potential findings to prevent misdiagnosis of other conditions.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24138476/