Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Neutrophil immune cell problems in dogs with sepsis
By Webb, Craig et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2007·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Neutrophil function in septic dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 13 dogs showing signs of severe bacterial infection, known as sepsis, had their immune cells tested to see how well they could fight off infections. The results showed that these dogs had a reduced ability to produce a strong immune response, which could make it harder for them to clear infections. However, their immune cells were still able to consume bacteria effectively. This suggests that while their immune response was weakened, it might also help protect them from the severe effects of the infection.
People also search for: dog sepsis symptoms · how to treat sepsis in dogs · dog immune system function
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Leukocytes appear to enter a hypo-inflammatory state in human patients with a severe bacterial infection, whereas, in swine, intra-abdominal sepsis produces an initial increase and subsequent decrease in neutrophil Fc receptor mediated phagocytosis. HYPOTHESIS: Impaired neutrophil function (hypo-inflammatory state) develops in dogs with sepsis. ANIMALS: Thirteen adult client-owned dogs that developed clinical signs consistent with sepsis were assessed for evidence of neutrophil dysfunction. These results were compared with those of 12 healthy dogs. METHODS: Flow cytometry combined with the appropriate fluorescent markers allowed for quantification of the phagolysosomal oxidative burst after Fc receptor-mediated phagocytosis of immune complexes, neutrophil phagocytosis of opsonized Escherichia coli, and the intracellular concentration of reduced glutathione as a measure of oxidative stress. RESULTS: The phagolysosomal oxidative burst after Fc receptor-mediated phagocytosis was significantly lower in neutrophils from septic dogs (mean fluorescence intensity +/- standard deviation; 118 +/- 13 and 165 +/- 27 for septic and control dogs, respectively, p = 0.001), although the phagocytosis of opsonized E. coli was significantly increased (155 +/- 74 and 77 +/- 44 for septic and control dogs, respectively, p = 0.004). Intracellular reduced glutathione was not significantly different in neutrophils from septic and healthy control dogs. CONCLUSIONS: An important component of neutrophil function is decreased in septic dogs. The diminished oxidative burst after Fc receptor-mediated phagocytosis in neutrophils from septic dogs could hinder the ability of the innate immune system to clear bacterial infections or it might help protect these patients from the systemic consequences of infection.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17939553/