title: Hematologic reference intervals for Rana sylvatica (Lithobates sylvaticus) and effect of infection with Frog Virus 3 (Ranavirus sp., Iridoviridae).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although the Wood Frog, Rana sylvatica, is used in research on infectious diseases of amphibians, hematologic RIs or response to infection have not been established.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the study was to determine hematologic RIs for adult Wood Frogs and alterations associated with infection with Frog Virus 3 (FV3, Ranavirus sp.).
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood was collected from 40 wild-caught adult Wood Frogs that had been in captivity for 6 months. Complete (Natt-Herrick solution hemocytometry) and differential (Wright-Giemsa-stained smears) WBC, RBC, and thrombocyte cell counts, PCV, and automated total cell counts (WBC+RBC+thrombocytes, Sysmex particle counting) were determined. Concordance correlation coefficients determined agreement between hemocytometric and automated total cell counts. Thirteen frogs were orally infected with a lethal dose of 10(4.43) plaque-forming units of FV3 and terminally sampled 4, 9, or 14 days postinfection (dpi). Pre- and postinfection variables for each frog were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Leukocyte morphology was similar to that of other amphibians and mammals. Lymphocytes were the most numerous WBC. PCV and RBC counts were similar to other frogs in the same family. Agreement was good between hemocytometry and automated total cell counts. Infection with FV3 caused neutrophilia, increase in undifferentiated blast-like cells, and reduction in the percentage of basophils. Lymphocytes decreased at 4 and 9 dpi but increased at 14 dpi. From 9 dpi onwards, nuclear deterioration and mild toxic change were present in neutrophils; viral cytoplasmic inclusion bodies were observed in lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We provide hematology RIs for Rana sylvatica, and report hematologic changes associated with a lethal FV3 infection.
authors: Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE, Canada. mforzan@upei.ca.|Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE, Canada. mforzan@upei.ca.
authors: María J
authors: MJ
authors: Forzán
authors: Department of Biology, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS, Canada.
authors: Todd G
authors: TG
authors: Smith
authors: Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE, Canada.
authors: Raphaël V
authors: RV
authors: Vanderstichel
authors: Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
authors: Natacha S
authors: NS
authors: Hogan
authors: Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE, Canada.
authors: Cornelia V
authors: CV
authors: Gilroy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004266:DNA Virus Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000662:veterinary*; D006403:Hematologic Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D017995:Ranavirus; D011898:Ranidae / Q000097:blood* / Q000821:virology*; D012016:Reference Values
keywords: Automated cell counts; Ranavirus sp.; blood cell counts; blood smear evaluation; inclusion bodies