Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Platelet antibody tests and blood issues in dogs with low platelets
By Boontuboon, Warattha et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2026·Department of Clinical Science and Public Health·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Evaluation of platelet surface-associated immunoglobulin positivity and its association with hematologic findings and vector-borne pathogens in thrombocytopenic dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 69 dogs with low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia) were studied to see if a specific marker called platelet surface-associated immunoglobulin (PSAIG) was linked to their condition and any infections they might have. The dogs that tested positive for PSAIG had significantly lower platelet counts and were more likely to be infected with certain diseases like Ehrlichia and Anaplasma. This suggests that the immune system might be destroying the platelets in these infected dogs. Treatment focused on managing the infections and monitoring platelet levels, which is crucial for recovery.
People also search for: dog low platelet count treatment · thrombocytopenia in dogs · Ehrlichia infection in dogs
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Platelet surface-associated immunoglobulin (PSAIG) occurs in thrombocytopenic dogs with vector-borne diseases and immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and may be associated with thrombocytopenia severity and inflammatory markers, including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios (NLR, PLR). HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Assess associations between PSAIG positivity, hematologic parameters, thrombocytopenia severity, and vector-borne status in thrombocytopenic dogs. ANIMALS: Sixty-nine client-owned thrombocytopenic dogs (<200 × 103/μL) were enrolled between June 2022 and June 2023. METHODS: Dogs were prospectively enrolled. Platelet surface-associated immunoglobulin was measured using flow cytometry. Vector-borne pathogens were assessed by serology (Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., Borrelia burgdorferi, Dirofilaria immitis) and PCR for Ehrlichia canis. Hematologic parameters were compared between PSAIG groups (Mann-Whitney U), and associations tested by univariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Dogs positive for PSAIG (n = 16) had lower median automated platelet counts (16.5 × 103/μL; interquartile range [IQR]: 8.25-40.75) than PSAIG-negative dogs (n = 53; 64 × 103/μL; IQR: 25.0-92.5; P = .001), with similarly lower manual platelet counts (48 × 103/μL; IQR: 20-86 vs 96 × 103/μL; IQR: 55-138; P = .01) and automated PLR (7.14; IQR: 3.30-15.28 vs 21.82; IQR: 9.42-38.99; P = .01). In logistic regression, PSAIG positivity was associated with lower platelet counts and automated PLR, E. canis PCR positivity, and Anaplasma seropositivity, with the strongest association for concurrent E. canis PCR and Anaplasma seropositivity (odds ratio [OR]; 15.3; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.69-86.99; P = .002). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Lower platelet counts and automated PLR were associated with PSAIG positivity in thrombocytopenic dogs. Associations between PSAIG, E. canis infection, and co-exposure to Anaplasma spp. support immune-mediated platelet destruction in infected dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41789552/