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Abstract Background Red blood cell (RBC) storage promotes biochemical and morphological alterations, collectively referred to as storage lesions (SLs). Studies in humans have identified leukoreduction (LR) as a critical processing step that mitigates SLs. To date no study has evaluated the impact of LR on metabolic SLs in canine blood units using omics technologies. Objective Compare the lipid and metabolic profiles of canine packed RBC (pRBC) units as a function of LR in fresh and stored refrigerated (up to 42 days) units. Animals Packed RBC units were obtained from 8 donor dogs enrolled at 2 different Italian veterinary blood banks. Study Design and Methods Observational study. A volume of 450 mL of whole blood was collected using Citrate‐Phosphate‐Dextrose‐Saline‐Adenine‐Glucose‐Mannitol (CPD‐SAGM) transfusion bags with a LR filter to produce 2 pRBC units for each donor, without (nLR‐pRBC) and with (LR‐pRBC) LR. Units were stored in the blood bank at 4 ± 2°C. Sterile weekly samples were obtained from each unit for omics analyses. Results A significant effect of LR on fresh and stored RBC metabolic phenotypes was observed. The nLR‐pRBC were characterized by higher concentrations of free short and medium‐chain fatty acids, carboxylic acids (pyruvate, lactate), and amino acids (arginine, cystine). The LR‐pRBC had higher concentrations of glycolytic metabolites, high energy phosphate compounds (adenosine triphosphate [ATP]), and antioxidant metabolites (pentose phosphate, total glutathione). Conclusion and Clinical Importance Leukoreduction decreases the metabolic SLs of canine pRBC by preserving energy metabolism and preventing oxidative lesions.

Background: Canine lymphoma is the most common hematopoietic cancer in dogs. Numerous studies have evaluated the prognostic value of hematological abnormalities and ratios in both humans and dogs with lymphoma. Aim: To compare hematological parameters and complete blood count ratios between a population of dogs affected by lymphoma and healthy dogs to identify potential prognostic markers for lymphoma. Methods: This retrospective case-control study compares hematological parameters and complete blood count ratios between a population of 114 dogs affected by Multicentric Large B-Cell Lymphoma (LBCL) and 60 healthy dogs. Results: The study found several statistically significant differences between the hematological indices of LBCL dogs and healthy dogs, but no correlation between these parameters and the survival times of 78 dogs treated with chemotherapy Madison Wisconsin Protocol. Additionally, hematological alterations were evaluated such as anemia, leukocytosis, and thrombocytopenia. Conclusion: Hematological ratios have been suggested as potential prognostic markers for canine LBCL but their real prognostic value remains controversial and requires future investigation. [Open Vet J 2024; 14(4.000): 980-989]

Abstract Background Understanding of the biochemical and morphological lesions associated with storage of equine blood is limited. Objective To demonstrate the temporal sequences of lipid and metabolic profiles of equine fresh and stored (up to 42 days) and leukoreduced packed red blood cells (LR‐pRBC) and non‐leukoreduced packed RBC (nLR‐pRBC). Animals Packed RBC units were obtained from 6 healthy blood donor horses enrolled in 2 blood banks. Methods Observational study. Whole blood was collected from each donor using transfusion bags with a LR filter. Leukoreduction pRBC and nLR‐pRBC units were obtained and stored at 4°C for up 42 days. Sterile weekly sampling was performed from each unit for analyses. Results Red blood cells and supernatants progressively accumulated lactate products while high‐energy phosphate compounds (adenosine triphosphate and 2,3‐Diphosphoglycerate) declined. Hypoxanthine, xanthine, and free fatty acids accumulated in stored RBC and supernatants. These lesions were exacerbated in non‐LR‐pRBC. Conclusion and Clinical Importance Leukoreduction has a beneficial effect on RBC energy and redox metabolism of equine pRBC and the onset and severity of the metabolic storage lesions RBC.

This is an observational retrospective study on 85 client-owned dogs, 60 with IBD and 25 clinically healthy dogs. This study aims to assess the clinical relevance of some easy to obtain and cost-effective hematological parameters including red blood cell distribution width (RDW), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in dogs with IBD. Comparison of clinical and laboratory parameters between dogs with IBD and control dogs was carried out and the ability to distinguish between these two groups of dogs was evaluated by calculating the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUCROC). Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis estimated the odds ratio (OR) of developing IBD with a 95% confidence interval (CI). MLR and monocytes count had the highest accuracy in facilitating the discrimination of dogs with IBD from control dogs with an AUCROC of 0.839 and 0.787 at the cut-off of >0.14% and >3.7 cells*102/µL, respectively. According to two multivariable models, monocytes count (OR = 1.29; p = 0.016), NLR (OR = 1.80; p = 0.016), and MLR > 0.14 (OR = 8.07; p < 0.001) and PLR > 131.6 (OR = 4.35; p = 0.024) were significant and independent predictors of IBD for models one and two, respectively. Monocytes count and the hematological ratios MLR, NLR, and PLR can be useful in the diagnostic work-up of dogs with IBD.

Canine vector-borne pathogens (CVBPs) represent a challenge for veterinary transfusion medicine, since some can be transmitted by blood transfusion and are of zoonotic concern. Epidemiological data on CVBPs, obtained during 10 years of pre-donor screening (2012–2021) by a veterinary blood bank in central Italy, were used to conduct a retrospective epidemiological longitudinal survey. The results were obtained using the Immunofluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT) conducted on sera in order to assess IgG antibodies against Leishmania infantum, Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma phagocythophilum, Babesia canis, and Rickettsia conorii; the modified Knott’s test and an ELISA kit were used to detect Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens. In total, 324 out of the 1260 canine blood donors (25.71%) tested seropositive for at least one pathogen. The highest overall positive rate was detected for L. infantum (12.22%), followed by E. canis (2.30%), A. phagocytophilum (1.19%), D. repens (0.95%), D. immitis (0.32%), and B. canis (0.16%). From 2012 to 2014, a prevalence of 20.12% was recorded for R. conorii. Mixed infections were recorded in 21 dogs. For all the CVBPs investigated, significant differences (p < 0.05) were not observed over the period studied. The results evidenced a non-negligible prevalence of CVBPs in canine donors, which were selected based on strict criteria concerning regular endo- and ectoparasite controls. The results confirmed that the blood bank could be a reliable local epidemiological observatory. The need for implemented screening is discussed.