Platelet aggregation and haemostatic response in dogs naturally co-infected by Leishmania infantum and Ehrlichia canis.
Haemostatic alterations in dogs naturally infected by ehrlichiosis and/or leishmaniasis were studied. Platelet count, ADP and collagen-induced platelet aggregation, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and plasma fibrinogen concentration were measured. An evident reduction of platelet aggregation response was shown for Leishmania-Ehrlichia co-infected dogs where platelet aggregation was lower in comparison with control and leishmaniotic dogs (ADP and collagen, P < or = 0.01) and ehrlichiotic dogs (ADP 10 and 7.5 microm, P < or = 0.05). Moreover, a significant increase in APTT as well as a reduction of the albumin/globulin rate (A/G) for leishmaniotic and co-infected dogs versus control and ehrlichiotic dogs was detected. The hypothesis of a synergism between leishmaniosis and ehrlichiosis in altering platelet function by different pathways is discussed.
Cortese
L
L
Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche Veterinarie, Sezione di Clinica Medica, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via F. Delpino 1, 80137 Napoli, Italy. lcortese@unina.it
Pelagalli
A
A
Piantedosi
D
D
Mastellone
V
V
Manco
A
A
Lombardi
P
P
Ciaramella
P
P
Avallone
L
L
D000818:Animals; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D004285:Dogs; D041061:Ehrlichia canis; D016873:Ehrlichiosis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis; D006487:Hemostasis; D018314:Leishmania infantum; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D010314:Partial Thromboplastin Time; D010974:Platelet Aggregation; D010976:Platelet Count / Q000662:veterinary; D010979:Platelet Function Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D011517:Prothrombin Time
D005340:Fibrinogen