Canine reticulocyte hemoglobin content (RET‐He) in different types of iron‐deficient erythropoiesis. (16th May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fuchs, Jannika; Moritz, Andreas; Grußendorf, Esther; Lechner, Jörg; Neuerer, Felix; Nickel, Rafael; Rieker, Thomas; Schwedes, Claudia; DeNicola, Dennis B.; Russell, James; Bauer, Natali
• Is Part Of: Veterinary clinical pathology. Volume 46:Number 3(2017)
• Page Start: 422
• Page End: 429
• Publication Date: 2017-05-16
• Subjects: Anemia -- dog -- hematology -- inflammatory disease -- portosystemic shunt; Veterinary pathology -- Periodicals; 636.089607
• DOI: 10.1111/vcp.12499
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0275-6382

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Reticulocyte hemoglobin content (RET‐H e ) is a diagnostic marker for iron deficiency (ID) in people and dogs. Objectives: The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical utility of RET‐H e in the diagnosis of different causes of iron‐deficient erythropoiesis (IDE). Methods: Canine CBCs were separated into 2 groups according to RET‐H e values, < 20.9 pg or ≥ 20.9 pg. Erythrocyte and reticulocyte variables were compared between dogs with decreased and normal RET‐H e values. Additional data for a subgroup of dogs were collected, and dogs with low RET‐H e values were categorized as having ID, inflammatory disorders (INFL), portosystemic shunt (PSS), miscellaneous diseases (MISC), or combinations of these diseases (ID+INFL, ID+PSS). Hematologic variables were compared between dogs of the different disease groups. Results: Overall, 10.3% (1084/10, 553) of canine CBCs showed decreased RET‐H e values. Significant differences between dogs with decreased and normal RET‐H e values were found for all erythrocyte and reticulocyte variables. The majority (68.9%, 747/1084) of dogs with low RET‐H e values was anemic; 28.9% (216/747) of those anemic dogs had microcytosis and hypochromasia. In the subgroup of dogs, 8.9% (205/2306) had low RET‐H e values. According to their diagnosed diseases, anemic dogs (138/205) could be categorized as ID (17/138; 12.3%), INFL (16/138; 11.6%), PSS (30/138; 21.7%), ID+INFL (63/138; 45.7%), ID+PSS (8/138; 5.8%), and MISC (4/138; 2.9%). Distribution in nonanemic dogs (67/205) was similar, except for a lower number of dogs with PSS. Conclusions: Low RET‐H e values indicate IDE even in dogs with other CBC variables within the RIs.