Evaluation of reticulocyte hemoglobin content (RET‐He) in the diagnosis of iron‐deficient erythropoiesis in dogs. (9th October 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 4(2017)
• Page Start: 558
• Page End: 568
• Publication Date: 2017-10-09
• Subjects: Canine -- hematology -- prevalence -- ProCyte Dx -- reference interval; Veterinary pathology -- Periodicals; 636.089607
• DOI: 10.1111/vcp.12547
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0275-6382

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Reticulocyte hemoglobin content provided by the Siemens ADVIA (CHr) is an established marker of iron deficiency. The IDEXX ProCyte Dx hematology analyzer now provides a similar variable, reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent (RET‐H e ). Objectives: The objective was to evaluate RET‐H e and its diagnostic utility in dogs, and to calculate a cutoff value for diagnosing iron‐deficient erythropoiesis (IDE). Furthermore, the prevalence of RET‐H e values below this cutoff value was established. Methods: One hundred and seventy‐one CBCs of healthy dogs were used to establish a RI. Stability of RET‐H e was evaluated by repeated measurements over 48 hours ( n = 10). The 25‐run coefficient of variation (CV) was calculated, and correlation and bias between measurements of RET‐H e and CHr were assessed ( n = 190). A cutoff value for diagnosing IDE was calculated. The utility of RET‐H e in the detection of IDE was evaluated in 123 dogs. The prevalence of low RET‐H e values was assessed retrospectively in a multicenter study (2012–2014) under participation of 7 veterinary clinics. Results: Reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent with an RI of 22.2 to 28.6 pg was statistically stable over 48 hours ( P = .10). The CV was 1.8%. A fair correlation (ρ = 0.74) between RET‐H e and CHr with a small bias of −0.6 pg was found. The cutoff value for diagnosing IDE was 20.9 pg (sensitivity: 85%; specificity: 99%). The prevalence of RET‐H e values below 20.9 pg was 10.3% (1084/10, 553 dogs). Conclusions: RET‐H e on the ProCyte Dx is a precise screening tool in dogs to detect iron‐deficient erythropoiesis.