Immunohaematological and rheological parameters in canine visceral leishmaniasis

Abstract The aim of this study was to find correlations between haematological and rheological parameters in canine visceral leishmaniasis (CLV). Enrolled dogs with CVL (n=31) had a confirmed diagnosis using the rapid test Dual Path Platform (TR DPP®) kit and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay. A control group (n=31) comprised healthy dogs with negative results for the TR DPP® kit and PCR assay. Haematological parameters and total protein, albumin, globulin, and antibody were assessed. The rheological properties of the blood samples were also determined. Erythrocytes, haematocrit and platelet values of dogs in the CVL group were found to be lower than those of the control group. The total protein, globulin and IgG concentrations were higher in serum samples from the CVL group. The blood flow curve demonstrated increased shear rates in the CVL group. The viscosity of the blood from the infected animals was lower than in the healthy dogs. A positive correlation was found between erythrocyte numbers and blood viscosity. These data suggest that changes in the flow curve and viscosity of blood as well as the erythrocyte values may be a viable low-cost alternative for the monitoring of dogs with visceral leishmaniasis.

摘要 本研究旨在探究犬内脏利什曼病（Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis, CVL）患犬的血液学与血液流变学参数间的相关性。本研究纳入31只经快速检测双路径平台（TR DPP®）试剂盒与聚合酶链式反应（PCR）检测确诊为CVL的患犬；对照组则纳入31只TR DPP®试剂盒及PCR检测结果均为阴性的健康犬。研究对所有受试犬的血液学参数、总蛋白、白蛋白、球蛋白及抗体水平进行了检测，同时测定了血液样本的流变学特性。结果显示，CVL组患犬的红细胞计数、血细胞比容及血小板水平均低于对照组；其血清总蛋白、球蛋白与免疫球蛋白G（IgG）浓度均高于对照组。血流曲线结果表明，CVL组的剪切速率有所升高，而感染犬的血液黏度低于健康犬。此外，研究发现红细胞计数与血液黏度呈正相关。以上数据表明，血流曲线、血液黏度及红细胞参数的变化或许可作为一种低成本、可行的犬内脏利什曼病监测替代方案。