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Donato G, Caspanello T, Caprì A, De Majo M, Iannelli NM, Rosace F, Bruno F, Castelli G, Pennisi MG, Masucci M. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate and other markers of inflammation in cats tested for Leishmania infantum and feline immunodeficiency virus antibodies. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:324. [PMID: 39080701 PMCID: PMC11290220 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06396-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In endemic areas, Leishmania infantum and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) co-infection occurs in cats, and may favour a progressive course of feline leishmaniosis. Abnormalities in serum protein fractions have been reported, but inflammation markers have scarcely been studied. Erythrocyte sediment rate (ESR) is a marker of inflammation that is poorly used in veterinary medicine, but it has been evaluated in EDTA blood using a recently introduced automatic device. We studied ESR and a pool of feline markers of inflammation (MoI) in cats L. infantum (Li+) and/or FIV antibody-positive (Li+FIV+/FIV+) with the aims (a) to evaluate ESR as MoI in cats with the infectious and clinical conditions considered and (b) to provide data about a pool of MoI never investigated in the feline infections studied and in other cat diseases before. METHODS This prospective controlled study included 35 study group cats (Li+, n = 20; FIV +, n = 8; Li+FIV+, n = 7) and ten healthy antibody-negative control cats. Clinical findings at physical examination and selected clinical pathological abnormalities related to inflammation were statistically analysed in relation to the infectious status and ESR values. RESULTS ESR values were higher in Li+, FIV+, and Li+FIV+ cats compared with control cats, and 40% of the study group cats had ESR values above the reference interval (RI). ESR positively correlated with some positive MoI and negatively with some negative MoI studied. Additionally, a higher prevalence of ESR values above the RI has been detected in cats with hypoalbuminemia or hypergammaglobulinemia and higher ESR values were measured in cats with serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) fraction abnormalities. Correlations were also found with erythrocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit and some erythrocyte indices. FIV+ and Li+FIV+ cats had a higher prevalence of increased ESR values, and almost all had SPE abnormalities and more severe clinical presentations compared with Li+ cats. CONCLUSIONS Abnormal levels of MoI were found in almost all parameters studied, particularly in FIV+ and Li+FIV+ cats. Also, ESR can be used as a marker of inflammation in cats with L. infantum and/or FIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Donato
- Università di Messina, Messina, Italy
- ASC "I Periodeuti", Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Tiziana Caspanello
- Università di Messina, Messina, Italy
- ASC "I Periodeuti", Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Alessandra Caprì
- ASC "I Periodeuti", Reggio Calabria, Italy
- Clinica Veterinaria Camagna-VetPartners, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Massimo De Majo
- Università di Messina, Messina, Italy
- ASC "I Periodeuti", Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Nicola Maria Iannelli
- Università di Messina, Messina, Italy
- ASC "I Periodeuti", Reggio Calabria, Italy
- Clinica Veterinaria Camagna-VetPartners, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Flavia Rosace
- Università di Messina, Messina, Italy
- ASC "I Periodeuti", Reggio Calabria, Italy
- Clinica Veterinaria Camagna-VetPartners, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Federica Bruno
- National Reference Center for Leishmaniasis (C.Re.Na.L.), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Palermo, Italy
| | - Germano Castelli
- National Reference Center for Leishmaniasis (C.Re.Na.L.), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Marisa Masucci
- Università di Messina, Messina, Italy
- ASC "I Periodeuti", Reggio Calabria, Italy
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Doulidis PG, Vali Y, Frizzo Ramos C, Guija-de-Arespacochaga A. Retrospective evaluation of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a prognostic marker in cats with blunt trauma (2018-2021): 177 cases. J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio) 2024. [PMID: 39078336 DOI: 10.1111/vec.13414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the utility of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as a prognostic marker in cats with blunt trauma. DESIGN Retrospective study from January 2018 to December 2021. SETTING University teaching hospital. ANIMALS Medical records of 177 cats admitted with blunt trauma were evaluated. History, clinical findings, blood cell count-based ratios, thoracic radiographs on presentation, and outcome were reviewed. The Animal Trauma Triage (ATT) score was assessed in each cat and classified as mild (1-3), moderate (4-7), and severe trauma (≥8). Forty-eight healthy blood donor cats served as the control population. NLR, neutrophil counts, and lymphocyte counts were compared between cats with blunt trauma and controls, and among trauma patients. INTERVENTIONS None MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: NLR, neutrophil counts, and lymphocyte counts significantly differ in cats with blunt trauma compared to controls (p < 0.001), and NLR was higher in patients with thoracic trauma (p = 0.044). Nonsurvivors had lower lymphocyte counts (p = 0.041), although those values do not appear to be clinically relevant. A significant increase in NLR was observed with increasing severity of trauma (p < 0.001). The NLR was not associated with the length of hospitalization, intensive care assistance, or mortality. CONCLUSION NLR is a widely available diagnostic tool, which can be used in addition to ATT to assess trauma severity, although in our study it was not predictive of the outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavlos G Doulidis
- Department for Companion Animals and Horses, Division of Small Animal Internal Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Yasamin Vali
- Diagnostic Imaging, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Caroline Frizzo Ramos
- Clinical Unit of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Intensive Care, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
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Krofič Žel M, Nemec Svete A, Tozon N, Pavlin D. Hemogram-Derived Inflammatory Markers in Cats with Chronic Kidney Disease. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1813. [PMID: 38929432 PMCID: PMC11200498 DOI: 10.3390/ani14121813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by chronic inflammation, which mediates the progressive replacement of functional nephrons by fibrotic tissue. Hemogram-derived inflammatory markers are known to serve as markers of pathological conditions; however, their diagnostic value in feline CKD is still unknown. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate selected hemogram-derived inflammatory markers (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and the systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII)) in cats at different clinical stages of CKD. Eighty-eight client-owned cats with CKD and thirty-two healthy control cats were included. Cats with CKD were divided into two groups: early CKD (IRIS stage 1 and 2; 62 cats) and progressed CKD (IRIS stage 3 and 4; 26 cats). The values of inflammatory markers were compared between the two CKD groups and the control group. All investigated hemogram-derived inflammatory markers were significantly (p < 0.05) greater in cats with advanced CKD than in those in the other two groups. Additionally, we demonstrated a statistically significant weak to moderate correlation between serum urea, creatinine, selected hematologic and urinary parameters, and the investigated inflammatory markers in cats with CKD. Chronic inflammation can be easily and inexpensively assessed with hemogram-derived markers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Darja Pavlin
- Small Animal Clinic, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.K.Ž.); (A.N.S.); (N.T.)
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Rossi A, Proverbio D, Perego R, Baggiani L, Spada E. Evaluation of leukocyte ratios as survival prognostic markers in feline retrovirus infections. Vet J 2024; 305:106128. [PMID: 38754624 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2024.106128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
The utility of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) as prognostic markers in Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) infections has not yet been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate these leukocyte ratios in retrovirus-positive cats and to evaluate their prognostic value for survival. This retrospective case-control study included 142 cats, 75 FIV-Antibodies (Ab)-positive, 52 FeLV-Antigen (Ag)-positive, and 15 FIV-Ab+FeLV-Ag-positive, and a control population of 142 retrovirus-negative age-, sex-, and lifestyle-matched cats. Signalment, complete blood count at the time of serological testing, and outcome were recorded. Leukocyte ratios were compared within the same case-control population, among the three retrovirus-seropositive populations, and were related to survival time. No significant difference was found in NLR, MLR, or PLR between FIV-Ab-positive and FIV-Ab+FeLV-Ag-positive cats and their cross-matched controls. In the FeLV-Ag-positive population, MLR was significantly lower than in the control population (0.05 and 0.14, respectively, P=0.0008). No ratio discriminated among the three infectious states. No ratio was significantly different between survivors and non-survivors in the population of FIV-Ab-positive cats. MLR at diagnosis was significantly higher in FeLV-Ag-positive cats that died 1-3 years after diagnosis than in FeLV-Ag-positive cats still alive at 3 years (P=0.0284). None of the three ratios could predict retroviruses-positive cats that would survive to the end of the study. Overall the results indicate that NLR, MLR, and PLR are not significantly different among retrovirus statuses evaluated and had a very limited prognostic value for the survival time in retrovirus-positive cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Rossi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milan, via dell'Università 6, Lodi 26900, Italy
| | - D Proverbio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milan, via dell'Università 6, Lodi 26900, Italy.
| | - R Perego
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milan, via dell'Università 6, Lodi 26900, Italy
| | - L Baggiani
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milan, via dell'Università 6, Lodi 26900, Italy
| | - E Spada
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milan, via dell'Università 6, Lodi 26900, Italy
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González‐Domínguez A, Cristobal‐Verdejo JI, López‐Espinar C, Fontela‐González S, Vázquez S, Justo‐Domínguez J, González‐Caramazana J, Bragado‐Cuesta M, Álvarez‐Punzano A, Herrería‐Bustillo VJ. Retrospective evaluation of hematological ratios in canine parvovirosis: 401 cases. J Vet Intern Med 2024; 38:161-166. [PMID: 38100467 PMCID: PMC10800196 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The utility of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) as prognostic indicators has not been investigated in canine parvovirosis (CPV). HYPOTHESIS To evaluate whether these hematological ratios obtained at hospital admission in CPV are associated with outcome or duration of hospitalization. ANIMALS Four hundred one client-owned dogs presented with CPV. Methods-Retrospective multicenter cohort study. Medical records were reviewed to identify dogs with CPV. Data regarding signalment, complete blood count at admission, duration of hospitalization and outcome were collected. RESULTS Of the 401 dogs included in the study, 336 (83.8%) survived to discharge. The median (25th and 75th percentiles) PLR in nonsurvivors (336.56 [159.84-635.77]) was significantly higher than in survivors (217.65 [117.67-389.65]) (P = .003). The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve for nonsurvival was 0.615 (95% CI [0.593-0.691], P = .003). A cut off of 700 showed a 21.5% sensitivity and 90% specificity for nonsurvival. No association was observed between hospitalization duration and either hematological ratios or total WBC counts. The median (25th and 75th percentiles) lymphocyte count was below reference interval in all dogs and was significantly lower in the dogs which died (0.82 × 109 /L [0.5-1.87]) than in survivors (1.27 × 109 /L [0.73-2.22]) (P = .005). The median (25th and 75th percentiles) monocyte count however was lower in survivors (0.38 × 109 /L [0.29-1.59]), than in nonsurvivors (0.73 × 109 /L [0.1-2]) (P = .002). CONCLUSIONS Evaluation of PLR at hospital admission might be a useful marker of disease severity and could have prognostic value in dogs with CPV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea González‐Domínguez
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the Catholic University of Valencia—Emergency and critical careValenciaSpain
- Universidad de Leon—Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Emergency and Critical CareLeonCastilla y LeónSpain
| | | | | | | | - Sergio Vázquez
- Servicio de Oncología, IVC Evidensia Aúna Especialidades VeterinariasValenciaSpain
| | | | | | | | - Alicia Álvarez‐Punzano
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the Alfonso X El Sabio—Emergency and Critical CareMadridSpain
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da Silva Soares E, Rocha CC, Valente FL, Dos Anjos LRA, de Oliveira FLD, de Oliveira Loures C, Rocha PT, Castro VR, Sarandy TB, Borges APB. Platelet count and MCHC as independent prognostic markers for feline mammary carcinomas. Res Vet Sci 2023; 164:105024. [PMID: 37827061 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.105024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Mammary neoplasms are common in felines species and represent a significant disease for its unfavorable prognosis. Changes in the blood count and serum biochemical profile of these patients have potential as non-invasive prognostic markers prior to mastectomy, however, they are poorly described in literature. In this study univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using these factors to determine the effect of each parameter on the one-year survival time after the surgical procedure in these animals. The median overall survival (OS) and the disease-free survival (DFS) were 365 and 242 days, respectively. In univariate analysis, values within the reference range of monocyte, platelet and creatinine counts were identified as significant prognostic factors for OS and only creatinine was significant for DFS (P < 0.05). In the multivariate analysis, platelets and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) remained independent prognostic factors for OS. The results presented suggest that monocytes, platelets and creatinine may be important non-invasive pre-surgical prognostic markers, and that platelet count and MCHC are independent prognostic markers for feline mammary carcinomas (FMC). The correlation between such alterations is of important relevance for veterinary oncology, and prospective studies are needed to validate their clinical use and that platelet count and MCHC are independent prognostic markers for FMC. The results found in this study can also be studied in human medicine, regarding blood markers in human breast cancer (HBC).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Pâmela Thalita Rocha
- Department of Veterinary, Federal University of Viçosa (UFV), Viçosa, MG, Brazil
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Donato G, Pennisi MG, Persichetti MF, Archer J, Masucci M. A Retrospective Comparative Evaluation of Selected Blood Cell Ratios, Acute Phase Proteins, and Leukocyte Changes Suggestive of Inflammation in Cats. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2579. [PMID: 37627371 PMCID: PMC10451877 DOI: 10.3390/ani13162579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte (MLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte (PLR) ratios have been proposed as diagnostic and prognostic markers for neoplastic and inflammatory diseases in dogs and cats. The aim of this retrospective preliminary study was to evaluate the relationship between these ratios and markers of inflammation routinely measured in cats. A total of 275 cats were enrolled. Complete blood count, serum amyloid A (SAA), albumin, globulin, and albumin-to-globulin ratio (AGR) data were analyzed, as well as the presence of leukocyte alterations considered suggestive of inflammation (LAI: neutrophils left shift, toxic neutrophils, and reactive lymphocytes) evaluated in blood smears. The NLR and MLR correlated positively with SAA and globulins and negatively with albumin and AGR. Higher NLR and MLR were found in cats with increased SAA and globulins and decreased albumin and AGR. The PLR correlated negatively with albumin and AGR. A higher PLR was found in cats with hypoalbuminemia. Cats with LAI had higher NLR, MLR, and PLR. In cats with no changes in parameters indicative of inflammation, 11.25, 0.42, and 528.3 were identified as upper limits for NLR, MLR, and PLR, respectively. In conclusion, the NLR, MLR, and PLR act as good inflammatory markers easily evaluated by routine hematology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Donato
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy; (M.G.P.); (M.F.P.)
| | - Maria Grazia Pennisi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy; (M.G.P.); (M.F.P.)
| | | | - Joy Archer
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ES, UK;
| | - Marisa Masucci
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy; (M.G.P.); (M.F.P.)
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Hartmann K, Egberink H, Möstl K, Addie DD, Belák S, Boucraut-Baralon C, Frymus T, Lloret A, Hofmann-Lehmann R, Marsilio F, Pennisi MG, Tasker S, Thiry E, Truyen U, Hosie MJ. Feline Injection-Site Sarcoma and Other Adverse Reactions to Vaccination in Cats. Viruses 2023; 15:1708. [PMID: 37632050 PMCID: PMC10459272 DOI: 10.3390/v15081708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccine-associated adverse events (VAAEs), including feline injection-site sarcomas (FISSs), occur only rarely but can be severe. Understanding potential VAAEs is an important part of informed owner consent for vaccination. In this review, the European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases (ABCD), a scientifically independent board of feline medicine experts, presents the current knowledge on VAAEs in cats, summarizing the literature and filling the gaps where scientific studies are missing with expert opinion to assist veterinarians in adopting the best vaccination practice. VAAEs are caused by an aberrant innate or adaptive immune reaction, excessive local reactions at the inoculation site, an error in administration, or failure in the manufacturing process. FISS, the most severe VAAE, can develop after vaccinations or injection of other substances. Although the most widely accepted hypothesis is that chronic inflammation triggers malignant transformation, the pathogenesis of FISS is not yet fully understood. No injectable vaccine is risk-free, and therefore, vaccination should be performed as often as necessary, but as infrequently as possible. Vaccines should be brought to room temperature prior to administration and injected at sites in which FISS surgery would likely be curative; the interscapular region should be avoided. Post-vaccinal monitoring is essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Hartmann
- Small Animal Clinic, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, 80539 Munich, Germany
| | - Herman Egberink
- Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands;
| | - Karin Möstl
- Institute of Virology, Department for Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria;
| | | | - Sándor Belák
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health (BVF), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7036, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | | | - Tadeusz Frymus
- Department of Small Animal Diseases with Clinic, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Albert Lloret
- Fundació Hospital Clínic Veterinari, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Regina Hofmann-Lehmann
- Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zuich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland;
| | - Fulvio Marsilio
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy;
| | - Maria Grazia Pennisi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy;
| | - Séverine Tasker
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS40 5DU, UK;
- Linnaeus Veterinary Ltd., Shirley, Solihull B90 4BN, UK
| | - Etienne Thiry
- Veterinary Virology and Animal Viral Diseases, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, FARAH Research Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Liège University, B-4000 Liège, Belgium;
| | - Uwe Truyen
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;
| | - Margaret J. Hosie
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK;
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Uribe-Querol E, Romero-Romero L, Govezensky T, Rosales C. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and principal component analysis offer prognostic advantage for dogs with mammary tumors. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1187271. [PMID: 37396996 PMCID: PMC10312309 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1187271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction In veterinary medicine, cancer is the leading cause of death in companion animals, and mammary gland tumors represent the most common neoplasm in female dogs. Several epidemiological risk factors, such as age, breed, hormones, diet, and obesity have been reported to be relevant for canine mammary tumors. Nowadays, the gold standard for diagnosis of canine mammary tumors is the pathological examination of the suspected tissue. However, tumor grade can only be assessed after surgical removal or biopsy of the altered tissue. Therefore, in cases of tumors that could be surgically removed, it would be very helpful to be able to predict the biological behavior of the tumor, before performing any surgery. Since, inflammation constitutes part of the tumor microenvironment and it influences each step of tumorigenesis, cellular and biochemical blood markers of systemic inflammation, such as the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the albumin to globulin ratio (AGR) have been proposed as prognostic factors for human cancer development. The NLR and the AGR have not been explored enough as prognostic factors for cancer development in veterinary medicine. Methods To determine the prognostic value of NLR in canine mammary tumors, clinical records including biochemistry and hematological studies of female dogs with mammary tumors and of control healthy dogs, were used to determine the pre-treatment NLR and AGR. Other clinical data included age, breed, tumor size, histological tumor grade, and survival time after surgery. Results and discussion It was found that a higher pre-treatment NLR value (NLR > 5) associates with less survival rate. In contrast, the AGR did not show any predictive value on the malignancy of the tumor. However, by combining the NLR with AGR, age of the dog, and tumor size in a principal component analysis (PCA), the grade of the tumor and survival after surgery could be appropriately predicted. These data strongly suggest that pre-treatment NLR values have a prognostic value for the survival rate after surgery of dogs with mammary tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen Uribe-Querol
- Laboratorio de Biología del Desarrollo, División de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Laura Romero-Romero
- Departamento de Patología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnía, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Tzipe Govezensky
- Apoyo de estadística, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Carlos Rosales
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
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Pilot Study: Assessing the Expression of Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase and Peripheral Leukocyte Ratios in Canine Oral Malignant Melanoma. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9080421. [PMID: 36006336 PMCID: PMC9416752 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9080421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Measurement of blood biomarkers such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and peripheral leukocyte ratios have been shown to be of prognostic value in human melanoma patients. Previous veterinary studies have demonstrated that changes in these values are detectable in multiple canine cancer patients. However, to the authors’ knowledge, no studies have yet demonstrated an increase in LDH in canine oral malignant melanoma patients, nor has the effect of metastasis on LDH levels been explored. This retrospective pilot study included 18 dogs, of which 10 were healthy controls, 5 OMM patients with metastasis and 3 without metastasis. Serum LDH was measured and pre-treatment peripheral leucocyte ratios were calculated. LDH was measurable within all patient groups and a statistically significant difference in LDH levels was detected between patients with OMM and healthy controls (p < 0.05); however, no significant difference was detected between patients with or without metastatic disease. This study suggests that serum LDH levels are significantly increased in dogs with OMM compared to healthy controls, paving the way for further research to investigate the prognostic value of this biomarker.
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Fries RC, Kadotani S, Stack JP, Kruckman L, Wallace G. Prognostic Value of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Cats With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:813524. [PMID: 35359679 PMCID: PMC8964083 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.813524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
ObjectiveTo assess the prognostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for cardiac death in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.Study DesignProspective observation study.AnimalsNinety-six client-owned cats.MethodsComplete blood count samples were collected from 38 healthy and 58 cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and the NLR ratios were analyzed. All cats had echocardiographic measurements performed on the same day as blood collection. Spearman rank correlation was used to assess the relationship between echocardiographic measurements and NLR. Long-term outcome data were obtained, and time to cardiac death and variables associated with cardiac death were analyzed using Kaplan–Meier survival curves and Cox proportional hazards models, respectively.ResultsThe NLR was significantly higher in cats with confirmed congestive heart failure. When evaluating HCM patients, cats in the third NLR tertile had a significantly higher risk of cardiac death with a hazard ratio of 10.26 (95% CI: 1.84–57.14; p = 0.0001) when compared with that of patients in the first tertile. NLR was significantly associated with echocardiographic measures of left atrial size, left auricular function, the presence of left atrial spontaneous echo contrast (SEC), and thrombus formation.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceIncreased NLR is a negative prognostic indicator in cats with HCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan C. Fries
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
- *Correspondence: Ryan C. Fries
| | - Saki Kadotani
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Jonathan P. Stack
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
- VCA Loomis Basin Veterinary Clinic, Loomis, CA, United States
| | - Leah Kruckman
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Gabrielle Wallace
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
- Pacific Northwest Pet ER and Specialty Center, Vancouver, WA, United States
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12
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Krasztel MM, Czopowicz M, Szaluś-Jordanow O, Moroz A, Mickiewicz M, Kaba J. Application of a complete blood count to screening lethargic and anorectic cats for pancreatitis. BMC Vet Res 2021; 17:383. [PMID: 34895249 PMCID: PMC8665532 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-021-03098-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Feline pancreatitis (FP) is an important health problem of cats. Its diagnostics is based on the combination of quantification of serum pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (fPLI) and abdominal ultrasonography (AUS). These modalities allow for establishing highly specific diagnosis, however they are relatively expensive and time-consuming. On the other hand, a screening test of high sensitivity which would allow to rule out FP on the first visit without a considerable increase of costs would be clinically useful. To evaluate accuracy of nonspecific inflammatory biomarkers based on complete blood count (CBC) in diagnosing FP 73 client-owned cats with signs of lethargy and reduced appetite lasting for at least 2 days before presentation were enrolled in the cross-sectional study. They were examined with fPLI assay and AUS and classified as cats with very low risk of FP when fPLI ≤3.5 μg/L and AUS negative for FP, or as cats with increased risk of FP in the case of any other combination of results. Then, 7 various CBC measurements were measured in each cat and linked to the risk of FP using the multivariable logistic regression. Results Five CBC measurements turned out to be significantly associated with the risk of FP – total leukocyte count (WBC; crude odds ratio(ORcrude) = 12.2; CI 95%: 1.52, 98.5), total neutrophil count (ORcrude = 5.84; CI 95%: 1.22, 27.9), band neutrophil count (BNC; ORcrude = 6.67; CI 95%: 1.98, 22.4), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (ORcrude = 3.68; CI 95%: 1.25, 10.9), and eosinophil count (EC; ORcrude = 0.34; CI 95%: 0.12, 0.96). The model based on WBC, BNC, and EC proved to have at least fair diagnostic potential (area under ROC curve 82.7%; CI 95%: 72.8%, 92.5%). When WBC < 18 G/L, BNC < 0.27 G/L, and EC > 0.3 G/L was considered as a negative result, and any other combination as the positive result, the CBC model had high sensitivity (91.8%; CI 95%: 80.8%, 96.8%) at a relatively low specificity (58.3%; CI 95%: 38.8%, 75.5%). Conclusion The combination of three CBC measurements is an immediately available and fairly accurate screening method for identification of lethargic and anorectic cats with increased risk of FP. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12917-021-03098-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Maria Krasztel
- Division of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159c, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michał Czopowicz
- Division of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159c, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Olga Szaluś-Jordanow
- Department of Small Animal Diseases with Clinic, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159c, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agata Moroz
- Division of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159c, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marcin Mickiewicz
- Division of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159c, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jarosław Kaba
- Division of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159c, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
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13
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Tsouloufi TK, Frezoulis PS, Soubasis N, Kritsepi-Konstantinou M, Oikonomidis IL. Diagnostic and prognostic value of peripheral blood leucocyte ratios in sick cats. Acta Vet Hung 2021; 69:308-314. [PMID: 34747357 DOI: 10.1556/004.2021.00042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to assess the diagnostic and prognostic utility of feline neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR) and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratios (LMR) in a variety of underlying diseases. Five-year medical records from cats presenting to the internal medicine unit of a veterinary teaching hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Cats were considered for inclusion based on complete medical records. ADVIA 120 was used for the complete blood counts; the NLR and LMR were calculated by dividing the absolute numbers of the respective leucocytes. Two hundred and nineteen sick and 20 healthy cats were included in the study. The median NLR and LMR were significantly (P < 0.05) elevated and decreased, respectively, in cats with infectious, neoplastic and chronic kidney diseases compared to controls. Additionally, cats with neoplasia had significantly higher median NLR compared to cats with urinary tract and gastrointestinal diseases. Non-survivors had significantly higher NLR and lower LMR compared to survivors. Both ratios had suboptimal prognostic performance for the outcome of sick cats (NLR sensitivity: 37.9%, specificity: 86.4%; LMR sensitivity: 69.0%, specificity: 61.0%). Many different disease categories were associated with increased NLR and decreased LMR compared to controls, but the overall prognostic performance of the two leucocyte ratios was suboptimal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodora K Tsouloufi
- 1 School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Petros S Frezoulis
- 1 School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
- 2 Southfields Veterinary Specialists, Laindon, Essex, UK
| | - Nectarios Soubasis
- 1 School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Maria Kritsepi-Konstantinou
- 1 School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ioannis L Oikonomidis
- 1 School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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14
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Camerino M, Giacobino D, Iussich S, Ala U, Riccardo F, Cavallo F, Martano M, Morello E, Buracco P. Evaluation of prognostic impact of pre-treatment neutrophil to lymphocyte and lymphocyte to monocyte ratios in dogs with oral malignant melanoma treated with surgery and adjuvant CSPG4-antigen electrovaccination: an explorative study. Vet Comp Oncol 2021; 19:353-361. [PMID: 33443307 DOI: 10.1111/vco.12679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The role of systemic inflammation in cancer's progression has been widely investigated, especially in melanoma in humans. Pre-treatment leukocyte counts and ratios play a recognized prognostic role in several types of malignancies, but no information is available regarding canine oral malignant melanoma (COMM). The purpose of this explorative retrospective study was to investigate the prognostic impact of pre-treatment neutrophil to lymphocyte (NLR) and lymphocyte to monocyte (LMR) ratios in dogs with oral malignant melanoma that underwent surgical resection and immunotherapy with adjuvant CSPG4-antigen electrovaccination. Thirty-nine dogs with histologically confirmed oral melanoma and with available pre-treatment haematological analyses, performed at maximum 60 days before the first treatment, were retrospectively enrolled. Statistical analysis was performed to explore possible correlations among NLR and LMR with age, clinical stage, tumour pigmentation, tumour size, nuclear atypia, mitotic index, Ki67, CSPG4 expression, ulceration, bone invasion and excision margins status. The impact of NLR and LMR on overall survival time (OST) was explored among various ratio cut off and across different time points with Kaplan-Meier method. No significant relationship was identified between leukocytes ratios and histological parameters, CSPG4 expression, excision margin status, age, tumour size and clinical stage. NLR and LMR did not display a prognostic impact on the survival time of the entire population. Pre-treatment leukocyte ratios may not represent a useful prognostic factor in dogs with oral melanoma, especially in absence of distant metastatic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Davide Giacobino
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Selina Iussich
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Ugo Ala
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Federica Riccardo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, 10 University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, 10 University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Marina Martano
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Emanuela Morello
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Paolo Buracco
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, Grugliasco, Italy
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15
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Petrucci GN, Lobo L, Queiroga F, Martins J, Prada J, Pires I, Henriques J. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is an independent prognostic marker for feline mammary carcinomas. Vet Comp Oncol 2021; 19:482-491. [PMID: 33576562 DOI: 10.1111/vco.12686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Blood leukocyte counts and respective derived ratios have been described as potential prognostic markers in several tumours in veterinary oncology. This study aimed to evaluate peripheral blood leukocyte subpopulations and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as prognostic factors for feline mammary carcinomas (FMC). Medical records from cats diagnosed with FMC between 2017 to 2019 were reviewed. Cats were included if fully staged, classified as WHO stage I to III, and submitted to mastectomy. Cats were excluded if they had evidence of other diseases. Forty-nine cats were included. The study endpoints were disease-free interval (DFI) and tumour-specific survival (TSS). The median DFI and TSS were 389 days and 528 days respectively. In the univariate analysis, higher values of total white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil count (NEU) and NLR were identified as significant prognostic factors for both endpoints (P < .05). On the multivariate analysis, NLR remained an independent prognostic factor for TSS (P = .024). In the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the estimated cut-off for WBC was 8.49 × 109 /L (DFI and TSS); for NEU was 4.62 × 109 /L (DFI) and 6.65 × 109 /L (TSS) and for NLR was 2.46. These cut-offs were significant prognostic factors for DFI and TSS (P < .05). NLR cut-off remained an independent prognostic factor for both DFI (P = .032) and TSS (P = .043) in the multivariable analysis. Our results suggest that NLR, NEU, and WBC can be important non-invasive presurgical prognostic markers, and that NLR is an independent prognostic marker for FMC. Prospective studies are warranted to validate its clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luís Lobo
- Hospital Veterinário do Porto, Onevet Group, Porto, Portugal.,CECA, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Felisbina Queiroga
- CITAB, Centro de Investigação e Tecnologias Agroambientais e Biológicas, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - José Martins
- Hospital Veterinário Berna, Onevet Group, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Justina Prada
- CECAV, Animal and Veterinary Research Centre, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Isabel Pires
- CECAV, Animal and Veterinary Research Centre, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
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16
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Chiti LE, Ferrari R, Boracchi P, Morello E, Marconato L, Roccabianca P, Avallone G, Iussich S, Giordano A, Ferraris EI, Agnoli C, Dondi F, Giacobino D, Godizzi F, Stefanello D. Prognostic impact of clinical, haematological, and histopathological variables in 102 canine cutaneous perivascular wall tumours. Vet Comp Oncol 2021; 19:275-283. [PMID: 33386693 DOI: 10.1111/vco.12673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Identification of prognostic factors for perivascular wall tumours (PWTs) is desirable to accurately predict prognosis and guide treatment. 100 and two dogs with surgically excised PWTs without distant metastasis were retrospectively enrolled in this multi-institutional study, and the impact of pre-treatment leukocyte parameters, clinical and histopathological variables on local recurrence (LR) and overall-survival time (OST) were evaluated. Increasing values of white blood cell count (WBCC), neutrophil count (NC) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were significantly correlated with the hazard of LR in univariate analysis. WBCC and NC remained prognostic when adjusted for margins, grade, tumour size, location and skin ulceration, but lost their significance when adjusted for mitotic index and necrosis, whilst NLR remained prognostic only when close margins where categorised as infiltrated. Castrated males had a higher hazard of LR than intact males in univariate analysis, but significance was lost in multivariate models. Ulcerated PWTs and those located on the distal extremities had a higher hazard of LR both in univariate and multivariate analysis. Histological grade, necrosis, mitotic count, and infiltrated margins were all associated with LR both in univariate and multivariate analysis. Boxer breed, older age, ulceration, grade III, necrosis >50% and higher mitotic count were correlated with shorter OST, although breed and age lost their significance in multivariate analysis. Prognostication of surgically excised PWTs should be based on both clinical and histopathological variables. If validated in further studies, leukocyte counts and NLR may aid the clinician in identifying dogs at higher risk of LR before treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lavinia E Chiti
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberta Ferrari
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Patrizia Boracchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e di Comunità, Laboratorio di Statistica Medica, Biometria ed Epidemiologia "G.A. Maccacaro", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuela Morello
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Laura Marconato
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie (DIMEVET), Università degli Studi di Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Italy
| | - Paola Roccabianca
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Avallone
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie (DIMEVET), Università degli Studi di Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Italy
| | - Selina Iussich
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Alessia Giordano
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Erica I Ferraris
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Chiara Agnoli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie (DIMEVET), Università degli Studi di Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Italy
| | - Francesco Dondi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie (DIMEVET), Università degli Studi di Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Italy
| | - Davide Giacobino
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Francesco Godizzi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Damiano Stefanello
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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