Coombs', haemoplasma and retrovirus testing in feline anaemia.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the associations between Coombs' testing, haemoplasma and retroviral infections, and feline anaemia.


METHODS
Haematology, Coombs' testing (including assessment of persistent autoagglutination) and selected infection testing (haemoplasma, feline leukaemia virus/feline immunodeficiency virus provirus) were performed in blood samples collected from 60 anaemic and 60 non-anaemic cats.


RESULTS
No association between infection and anaemia or Coombs' positivity existed. Anaemic cats (21.7%) were significantly more likely than non-anaemic cats (0%) to have cold autoagglutination (P<0.0001), but significance (set at <or=0.0025 due to multiple testing) was not quite reached when Coombs' positivity was compared between anaemic (40.4% and 21.7% positive at 4 degrees C and 37 degrees C, respectively) and non-anaemic (20% and 3.3% positive, P=0.021 and P=0.004, at 4 degrees C and 37 degrees C, respectively) cats. Cats with immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia were significantly more likely to have persistent cold autoagglutination (P<0.0001) and be Coombs' positive at 37 degrees C with polyvalent (P<0.0001), immunoglobulin (Ig)G (P<0.0001) or any antiserum (P<0.0001). Haemoplasmas and retroviruses were uncommonly detected.


CONCLUSIONS
Cats suspected of having immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia should be evaluated for persistent autoagglutination at 4 degrees C as well as performing Coombs' testing at 37 degrees C, but positive results may occur in with other forms of anaemia. Testing for erythrocyte-bound antibodies should always be interpreted in parallel with documentation of haemolysis in anaemic cats.
Tasker
S
S
School of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford, Bristol BS40 5DU, UK.
Murray
J K
JK
Knowles
T G
TG
Day
M J
MJ
D000744:Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000276:immunology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D002415:Cats; D003298:Coombs Test / Q000662:veterinary*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D016089:Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline / Q000276:immunology; D005256:Leukemia Virus, Feline / Q000276:immunology; D009174:Mycoplasma / Q000276:immunology; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000276:immunology
D000906:Antibodies; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex