Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How heartworm infection affects blood clotting and platelets in dogs
By Fraser, Carisa et al.·Published in Veterinary clinical pathology·2024·Department of Pathology, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Evaluation of coagulation and platelet activation state and function in heartworm-infected dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs infected with heartworms showed signs of increased blood clotting and higher levels of a protein called fibrinogen, which can indicate inflammation or disease. The study compared these heartworm-infected dogs to healthy dogs and found that while the infected dogs had some changes in their blood, their platelets were not more activated than those in healthy dogs. This suggests that heartworm disease can lead to certain blood changes, but it doesn't necessarily mean the platelets are more reactive. Understanding these changes can help veterinarians manage heartworm disease more effectively.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Enhanced platelet responses have been demonstrated in heartworm-infected (HWI) dogs; however, the cause and clinical implications of altered platelet function have not been fully elucidated. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated platelet function in HWI dogs. METHODS: Anticoagulated whole blood collected from eight HWI and eight uninfected dogs was evaluated using turbidometric platelet aggregometry, a platelet function analyzer (PFA-100), a total thrombus analysis system (T-TAS), tissue factor-activated and tissue plasminogen activator modified thromboelastography (TF- and tPA-TEG), CBC, von Willebrand Factor activity, and fibrinogen concentrations. Platelet activation state and the presence of reticulated platelets were assessed via flow cytometric expression of P-selection (CD-62P) and thiazole orange staining. RESULTS: Platelet aggregation responses to adenosine diphosphate (ADP, 10 μM) or collagen (20 μg/mL), PFA-100 closure times, and T-TAS occlusion times did not differ between groups. TEG values TF-R, tPA-R, TF-K, and TF-LY60 were decreased (P = .025, P = .047, P  = .038, P  = .025) and TF-MA, tPA-MA, TF-G, tPA-G and TF-alpha angle were increased (P  < .04) in HWI dogs. HWI dogs had higher fibrinogen concentrations (465.6 ± 161 mg/dL vs 284.5 ± 38 mg/dL, P  = .008) and eosinophil counts (0.686 ± 0.27 × 10/μL vs 0.267 ± 0.20 × 10/μL, P  = .003). There was no difference in hematocrit, activation state, or percent of reticulated platelets. Non-activated reticulated platelets exhibited higher CD62P expression compared with mature platelets. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic canine heartworm disease was accompanied by hypercoagulability, hyperfibrinogenemia, and decreased fibrinolysis. Enhanced platelet activation was not identified in this group of HWI dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38782737/