Secondary immune-mediated thrombocytopenia in dogs naturally infected by Leishmania infantum.
Forty-four dogs naturally infected by Leishmania infantum were divided into two groups: 20 thrombocytopenic dogs with fewer than 150 x 10(9) platelets/l, and 24 non-thrombocytopenic dogs with more than 200 x 10(9) platelets/l. 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.
Cortese
L
L
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Internal Medicine Section, University of Naples Federico II, Via Delpino, Italy. lcortese@unina.it
Sica
M
M
Piantedosi
D
D
Ruggiero
G
G
Pero
M E
ME
Terrazzano
G
G
Mastellone
V
V
Ciaramella
P
P
D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000276:immunology*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000662:veterinary; D005453:Fluorescence; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D018314:Leishmania infantum; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M