Secondary immune-mediated thrombocytopenia in dogs naturally infected by Leishmania infantum
- L. Cortese, DVM, PhD1,
- D. Piantedosi, DVM, PhD1,
- P. Ciaramella, DVM1,
- M. E. Pero, DVM, PhD2,
- M. Sica, Biol, PhD3,
- G. Ruggiero, MD, PhD3,
- G. Terrazzano, ChmD, PhD4 and
- V. Mastellone, DM, PhD5
- 1 Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Internal Medicine Section
- 2 Department of Biological Structures, Functions and Technologies, University of Naples Federico II, Via Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy
- 3 Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology and Pathology, University Naples Federico II, via Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, Italy
- 4 Faculty of Science, University of Basilicata, Via N Sauro, 85, 85100 Potenza, Italy
- 5 Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Magna Grecia, Viale Europa (Germaneto), 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
- lcortese{at}unina.it
Abstract
Forty-four dogs naturally infected by Leishmania infantum were divided into two groups: 20 thrombocytopenic dogs with fewer than 150 × 109 platelets/I, and 24 non-thrombocytopenic dogs with more than 200 × 109 platelets/I. Ten clinically healthy dogs were used as controls. A haematological profile was obtained and the dogs' serum was used to assess the presence of platelet-binding IgM and IgG antibodies using a flow cytometry technique. Nineteen of the 20 thrombocytopenic dogs, and 13 of the 24 non-thrombocytopenic dogs had detectable levels of platelet-binding immunoglobulins, but none of the control dogs did so. The differences were significantly different for both IgM and IgG platelet-binding antibodies.
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