A preliminary study on the dynamics of serum color in perspective to hemoglobin and bilirubin in indigenous sheep of Pakistan

The present study is the first of its kind being reported for an indigenous sheep breed of Pakistan with objectives to (a) assess the diagnostic efficacy of a human-based "serum hemolysis reference palette" for sheep serum, (b) deduce normal reference intervals (RIs) for hemoglobin (Hb) and bilirubin, and (c) devise a novel serum color chart for on-field estimation of Hb and bilirubin through color matching of sheep serum. Apparently, healthy Sipli sheep (n = 130) were bled twice attaining whole blood and serum samples (n = 260). The study animals were grouped on the basis of gender, that is, males (n = 51) and females (n = 79) and age, that is, G1 (up till 1 year) (n = 41), G2 (from 1 to 2 years) (n = 46), and G3 (from 2 to 3 years) (n = 43). None of the 260 serum samples of the sheep matched the color given on the human-based "hemolysis reference palette." The G1 animals revealed marked variation in their serum color. Hence, on the basis of RIs, the serum samples (n = 178) of adult sheep (G2 and G3) showing three main color bands were used in devising a novel serum Hb and bilirubin estimation chart for adult sheep serum. In conclusion, the human-based serum hemolysis palette is not valid for sheep serum. The RIs attained in the study could provide a yardstick for assessment of health in indigenous sheep breeds whereas the serum color chart may be of value in estimating Hb and bilirubin in a quick, reliable, and cheaper way for the resource-poor settings of the world.

Assessing total erythrocyte count as a potential attribute for estimating hemoglobin in Cholistani cattle

The main objective of the study was to confirm whether a specific and constant interrelationship exists between total erythrocyte count (TEC) and hemoglobin (Hb) concentration in Cholistani cattle blood and to navigate the potential of TEC for estimating Hb level in Cholistani cattle (n = 264) grouped as per gender (males, n = 122; females, n = 142) and age (young, n = 140; adults, n = 124). The TEC and Hb (HbD) estimation was carried out through veterinary hematology analyzer. The Hb was also calculated as TEC × 3 and was termed as HbC. Linear regression was implied, and accordingly, scatterplots were drawn between TEC, HbD, HbC, and corrected Hb (CHB). The regression prediction equation hence attained was used to deduce corrected hemoglobin (CHb). A significant (P ≤ 0.05) difference was noticed between HbD and HbC. A non-significant (P ≥ 0.05) difference was noticed, however, between HbD and CHb. Tests of level of agreement indicated a higher Cronbach's alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient (0.682 for average measures) for HbD and CHb as compared to that for HbD and HbC (0.559 for average measures). A convention of Hb concentration as three times of TEC (× 3) is not valid for Cholistani cattle. A different pen-side hematological formula, i.e., Hb (g/dL) = 0.66(TEC) + 6.1, however, provides a better estimate of Hb from the TEC in cattle blood. Using hemocytometry for TEC in the field, all the stakeholders associated with veterinary research, academics, and practice may benefit from this formula in resource-poor countries.

Investigating the potential of packed cell volume for deducing hemoglobin: Cholistani camels in perspective

In human medical practice, a hematological rule of three has been validated for healthy human populations. One such formula is estimating hemoglobin (Hb) levels as 1/3rd of Packed Cell Volume (PCV). However, no such hematological formulae have been devised and validated for veterinary medical practice. The present study was devised with an aim to evaluate the relationship between hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) in camels (n = 215) being reared under pastoralism, and to devise a simple pen-side hematological formula for estimation of Hb from PCV. The PCV was determined through microhematocrit method whereas Hb estimation by cyanmethaemoglobin method (HbD). The Hb was also calculated as 1/3rd of PCV and was dubbed as calculated Hb (HbC). Overall HbD and HbC were significantly (P≥0.05) different. Similar results were attained for all study groups i.e. males (n = 94) and females (n = 121), and young (n = 85) and adult (n = 130) camels. The corrected Hb (CHb) was deduced through regression prediction equation attained from linear regression model. Scatterplots were drawn, linear regression was carried out, and Bland Altman chart was built for agreement of both methods of Hb estimation. A non-significant (P≥0.05) difference was noticed between HbD and CHb. Bland Altman agreement analysis revealed satisfactory agreement between HbD and CHb and the data was distributed closely around the mean difference line (Mean = 0.1436, 95% CI = 3.00, -2.72). A simplified pen-side hematological formula for deducing Hb concentration from PCV is accordingly recommended viz. Hb concentration (g/dL) = 0.18(PCV)+5.4 for all age and gender groups of camels instead of its calculation as one-third of PCV.

Dietary effect of probiotics and prebiotics on broiler performance, carcass, and immunity

This experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of dietary addition of probiotics (Protexin) and prebiotics (active MOS, mannan oligosaccharides) on growth performance, carcasses, and antibody titer in broilers. A total number of 360-day-old Ross broiler chicks were randomly divided into 9 groups in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement. Nine broiler starter (0-21 d) and finisher (21-35 d) diets were formulated by using 3 levels of probiotics (0, 1, and 2 g/kg of feed) and 3 levels of MOS (0, 1, and 1.5 g/kg of feed) and were randomly allotted to 9 groups. Feed intake was not affected by interaction of treatments during all phases (P > 0.05). Feed intake was improved due to the main effect of probiotic (P = 0.0001) or MOS (P = 0.005). No interaction (P > 0.05) was observed for weight gain in the starter, finisher, and overall phases. While, during the starter and finisher phases, weight gain was increased by probiotics (P = 0.028 or 0.04, respectively). Dietary supplementation of MOS improved weight gain (P = 0.01) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) (P = 0.03) during the overall period, but during starter and finisher periods, weight gain and FCR were not affected by prebiotics. Apart from dressing percentage, no interaction or individual effect of probiotics and prebiotics was observed for carcass, breast, thigh, heart, liver, and gizzard weight. Antibody titer for infectious bursal disease (IBD) was improved (P = 0.026) by the interaction effect between probiotics and prebiotics, when compared with the control group. Antibody titer against Newcastle disease (ND) was not affected by probiotics or prebiotics or their interactions (P > 0.05). It could be concluded that supplementation of prebiotics or probiotics can improve the growth performance of broilers. It may also be helpful in improving the antibody titer against IBD in broilers fed antibiotic-free diets.

Antenatal management of pulmonary hyperplasia (congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation)

A 26-year-old lady was seen in antenatal clinic. Her anomaly scan at 20 weeks showed significant fetal abdominal ascites and an enlarged echo bright right lung with cardiac displacement. These findings were consistent with recognised type III congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM). An induction of labour was undertaken at 32 weeks' gestation due to increasing maternal morbidity. Labour was complicated by abdominal dystocia and a fetal paracentesis was performed, draining 800 ml. A bradycardia developed and the baby was ultimately stillborn. Post mortem examination the right lower lobe bronchus was atretic. The features were typical of those traditionally described as type III CCAM, but in the context of bronchial atresia, are better described as pulmonary hyperplasia.

Primary epiploic appendagitis: an etiology of acute abdominal pain

Primary epiploic appendagitis has a nonspecific clinical presentation but pathognomonic appearance on computerized tomography. We report a patient who was promptly diagnosed and treated with conservative management, and review the literature. This entity has not been well described in the general medical literature. Epiploic appendagitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of atypical presentations of acute abdominal pain. Integration of a patient's history and physical exam with laboratory and computerized tomography findings allows a timely and confident diagnosis. Surgery is not necessary, but close follow-up is required.