Analyte comparisons between 2 clinical chemistry analyzers

The purpose of this study was to assess agreement between a wet reagent and a dry reagent analyzer. Thirteen analytes (albumin, globulin, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, amylase, urea nitrogen, calcium, cholesterol, creatinine, glucose, potassium, total bilirubin, and total protein) for both canine and feline serum were evaluated. Concordance correlations, linear regression, and plots of difference against mean were used to analyze the data. Concordance correlations were excellent for 8 of 13 analytes (r > or = 0.90); the correlations for albumin, potassium, and calcium were clinically unreliable. The linear regression analysis revealed that several analytes had slopes significantly different from unity, which was likely related to methodological differences. Compared to the wet reagent analyzer, the dry reagent analyzer showed excellent agreement for alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, amylase (feline), urea nitrogen, cholesterol, creatinine, glucose, total bilirubin (canine), and total protein. However, it showed only slight to substantial agreement for amylase (canine), calcium, albumin, potassium, and total bilirubin (feline).     

Effects of bilirubinemia, hemolysis, and lipemia on clinical chemistry analytes in bovine, canine, equine, and feline sera

Interferences caused by bilirubin, hemolysis, and lipemia on 25 clinical chemistry analytes in bovine, canine, equine, and feline sera were studied using the Coulter Dacos and commercial reagents. We present the data as “interferograms”, which show the anticipated percent change in serum analyte activity or concentration with varying concentrations of bilirubin, hemoglobin, or lipid. Obvious species differences in response to at least one added interfering substance were found for alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, cholesterol, creatine kinase, globulin, total protein, and urea. The remaining analytes were affected in a linear or complex dose-response relationship or were only affected at the highest concentrations of interfering substances. These data will be useful in aiding interpretation of laboratory test results when common interferences are present in the serum.     

Evaluation of an automated,homogeneous enzyme immunoassay for serum thyroxine measurement in dog and cat serum

A homogenous enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for measurement of serum thyroxine (T4) concentration was evaluated for use with canine and feline serum. The EIA method was linear from 0 to 150 nmol T4/L for human serum, 0 to 94 nmol T4/L for feline serum and 10 to 60 nmol T4/L for canine serum. Intra- and interassay precision studies yielded coefficients of variation 相似文献   

Validation of the Coulter AcT Diff hematology analyzer for analysis of blood of common domestic animals

Abstract: The objective of this study was to compare and assess the agreement between the Coulter AcT Diff hematology analyzer (CAD) and the Bayer Technicon H1 (H1) using blood samples from 391 animals of 4 species. The H1 has been used in veterinary laboratories for many years. Recently, Coulter modified the CAD and added veterinary software for hematologic analysis of feline, canine, and equine samples. A comparison of hemograms from dogs, cats, horses, and cattle was made using EDTA-anticoagulated blood samples. Both instruments were calibrated using human blood products. Performance characteristics were excellent for most values. The exceptions were MCV in canine samples (concordance correlation of .710), platelet counts for feline and equine samples (.258 and .740, respectively), feline and bovine WBC counts (.863 and .857, respectively), and bovine hemoglobin (.876).     

Determination of serum albumin in domestic animals using the immediate bromeresol green reaction

The immediate reaction bromeresol green (BCG) method for determination of serum albumin in various species of domestic animals (bovine, equine, canine, feline and porcine) was compared to an electrophoretic method. Good correlation was obtained between the two methods when both species specific and bovine albumin standards were used to compute the albumin concentration for the BCG assay. The immediate reaction BCG method appears to have considerable potential for application in the veterinary clinical laboratory.     

Development of a polymerase chain reaction-based method to identify species-specific components in dog food

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether there is a relationship between species-specific mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), especially canine and feline mtDNA, and detectable amounts of pentobarbital in previously analyzed dog food samples. SAMPLE POPULATION: 31 dog food samples previously analyzed for pentobarbital (limit of detection, 1 microg/kg). PROCEDURE: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis was performed on dog food samples by use of PCR primers specific for either canine, feline, equine, bovine, porcine, ovine, or poultry mtDNA. RESULTS: PCR amplicons specific for feline or canine mtDNA at a 0.007% (70 microg/g [wt/wt basis]) or 0.0007% (7 microg/g) level, respectively, were not found in the 31 dog food samples. Most of the 31 dog food samples had a PCR amplicon on PCR analysis when a PCR primer set capable of simultaneously detecting mtDNA of cows, pigs, sheep, goats, deer, elk, and horses was used. Results of PCR analysis by use of primers specific for bovine, swine, sheep and goat, or horse mtDNA revealed amplicons specific for bovine or swine mtDNA only in 27 of the 31 samples. Analysis of the remaining 4 samples failed to yield amplicons for any mammalian mtDNA. Pentobarbital was detected in 2 of these 4 samples. Results of PCR analysis correlated with the stated ingredient list for most, but not all samples. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Because canine and feline mtDNA were not found in a set of retail dog food samples, these results indicate that the source of pentobarbital in dog food is something other than proteins from rendered pet remains.     

Size referenced electronic leukocyte counting threshold and lysed leukocyte size distribution of common domestic animal species

Using a single channel electronic cell counter and attached particle size analyzer, leukocyte size distribution histograms were determined on canine, feline, bovine, and equine blood diluted with chloride-based diluent and treated with a conventional stromatolysin. Histograms were usually unimodal, but a few were bimodal. Mean values for mean lysed leukocyte particle volume were 49.2, 51.1, 55.4, and 65.0 fl for canine, feline, equine, and bovine blood, respectively. From inspection of histograms, a lower threshold of 30 fl referenced to latex spheres was interpreted to be appropriate for counting leukocytes of these four species simultaneously. Debris below the threshold was seen in many samples and was usually separated from the leukocyte population by a valley touching the histogram baseline at the threshold channel. Debris resulted in a visually detectable threshold failure by extending considerably into the leukocyte size range in 9% of feline, 9% of canine, and 7% of bovine samples. It is recommended that careful establishment of the lower counting threshold will minimize frequency and severity of leukocyte count error associated with failure to exclude debris.     

Relationship of serum total calcium to serum albumin in dogs, cats, horses and cattle

A retrospective study was performed in order to assess the relationship between serum calcium and serum albumin concentrations in domestic animals. Results of 9041 canine, 1564 feline, 2917 equine, and 613 bovine serum samples from hospitalized patients were examined by regression analysis. Subpopulations of cases with concurrent elevations in creatinine or that were less than six months of age were evaluated separately. Statistically significant linear relationships between calcium and albumin concentrations were established for each species (p <0.05). The coefficients of determination (r²) were 0.169 for dogs, 0.294 for cats, 0.222 for horses, and 0.032 for cattle. The correlation coefficients (r) computed were: dogs = 0.411, cats = 0.543, horses = 0.471, cattle = 0.182. Neither increases in creatinine concentration nor juvenile age appreciably influenced the relationship between calcium and albumin concentrations. Interspecies variation was marked, and a strong correlation between calcium and albumin concentrations was not established in any species.     

Comparison of two dry chemistry analyzers and a wet chemistry analyzer using canine serum

Canine serum was used to compare seven chemistry analytes on two tabletop clinical dry chemistry analyzers, Boehringer's Reflotron and Kodak's Ektachem. Results were compared to those obtained on a wet chemistry reference analyzer, Roche Diagnostic's Cobas Mira. Analytes measured were urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, glucose, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), cholesterol and bilirubin. Nine to 12 canine sera with values in the low, normal, and high range were evaluated. The correlations were acceptable for all comparisons with correlation coefficients greater than 0.98 for all analytes. Regression analysis resulted in significant differences for both tabletop analyzers when compared to the reference analyzer for cholesterol and bilirubin, and for glucose and AST on the Kodak Ektachem. Differences appeared to result from proportional systematic error occurring at high analyte concentrations.     

Serological studies on leptospirosis in domestic animals in Quebec.

During a period of 30 months, from January 1977 to June 1979, Leptospira agglutinins were detected in 355 (6%) of 5841 bovine sera, 52 (10.1%) of 511 porcine sera, one (5%) of 20 equine sera and one (12.5%) of eight canine sera. Bovine, porcine and equine sera reacted predominantly with L. pomona. Reactors to L. hardjo/sejroe, L. icterohaemorrhagiae and L. grippotyphosa were also detected in cattle. One porcine serum reacted with L. grippotyphosa and one canine serum with L. icterohaemorrhagiae. Al the sera originated from suspected cases of leptospirosis.     

Occurrence of antibodies to group specific chlamydia antigen in Finnish sheep, cattle and horse sera

A serological survey on the occurrence of group-specific chlamydial antibodies in random sera of Finnish sheep, cattle and horses was performed. The whole material consisted of 1347 serum samples, including 432 ovine, 454 bovine and 461 equine sera. The sera were sent to the laboratory for various serological tests during 1968–1972. Of the ovine sera 9.5%, bovine 12.8 % and equine 7.1 % showed a titer ≥ 1:16 in the complement fixation test.No definite geographic differences could be found in the distribution of the herds which showed positive results. The ubiquity of chlamydial infections in domestic mammals and their role as a cause of clinical diseases is discussed.     

Stability of sorbitol dehydrogenase activity in bovine and equine sera

Serum sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) activities in 10 cows and nine horses were measured using an automated clinical analyzer. The serum samples were divided into aliquots that were stored at room temperature (21 degrees C), refrigerated (0-5 degrees C), or frozen (-30 degrees C). The stability of the SDH activity was monitored at various intervals. SDH activity in bovine sera remained stable for at least 5 hours at room temperature, 24 hours refrigerated, and 72 hours frozen without any significant (p < 0.05) differences from the initial serum values. In equine sera, SDH activity remained stable for at least 5 hours at room temperature and 48 hours frozen. The activity of the refrigerated equine sera was stable for at least 5 hours but less than 24 hours. An evaluation of fresh bovine serum and heparinized plasma samples indicated that there was no significant difference (p < 0.05) between the two sampling methods and that either may be employed for automated measurement of SDH activity following the established protocol. Sample type comparison indicated that there was a small but statistically significant (p < 0.05) difference between the results obtained comparing fresh serum and heparinized plasma samples for the horse. A reference range for Holstein cows was established using sera from 71 clinically healthy cattle (mean -/+ 2 SD = 32 -/+ 26 U/L).     

Evaluation of an in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for quantitative measurement of serum total thyroxine concentration in dogs and cats

OBJECTIVE: To compare serum total thyroxine (T4) concentrations obtained with an in-house ELISA and a validated radioimmunoassay (RIA). DESIGN: Laboratory trial. SAMPLE POPULATION: 50 canine and 50 feline serum samples submitted for measurement of total T4 concentration with the RIA; samples were selected to represent a wide range of concentrations (< 6 to 167 nmol/L). PROCEDURE: Results of the ELISA and RIA were compared by calculating correlation coefficients, examining linearity, determining bias and precision, and evaluating clinical interpretations. RESULTS: Correlation coefficients for results of the 2 methods were 0.84 for the canine samples and 0.59 for the feline samples. Examination of bias plots revealed large variations in ELISA results, compared with RIA results. For the feline samples, the ELISA consistently overestimated total T4 concentration obtained with the RIA. When results of the 2 methods were categorized (low, borderline low, normal, borderline high, or high), results were discordant for 24 (48%) and 29 (58%) of the canine samples and for 18 (36%) and 28 (56%) of the feline samples (depending on whether borderline high ELISA results were considered normal or high). Reliance on results of the ELISA would have led to inappropriate clinical decisions for 31 (62%) canine samples and 25 (50%) feline samples. The ELISA coefficients of variation for the pooled canine and feline samples were 18 and 28%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Substantial discrepancies between ELISA and RIA results for T4 concentrations were detected. Thus, we concluded that the in-house ELISA kit was not accurate for determining serum total T4 concentrations in dogs and cats.     

Evaluation of hyaluronidase activity in equine and bovine sera and equine synovial fluid samples by use of enzyme zymography

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the activities of hyaluronidases in equine sera and synovial fluid samples and sera from fetal and adult bovids and evaluate the extent to which the degradation of hyaluronan is influenced by chondrocytes. SAMPLE POPULATION: Commercial and noncommercial samples of equine (n = 6) and bovine (6) sera and 16 synovial fluid samples from horses. PROCEDURE: Hyaluronidase activities in sera and synovial fluid samples were assessed via enzyme zymography (performed at pH 4, 5, 6, or 7). Chondrocytes were isolated from equine cartilage and cultured with or without hyaluronan (1 mg/mL); the degradation of hyaluronan was assessed via agarose gel electrophoresis. RRESULTS: Hyaluronidase activity was detected in equine sera and synovial fluid samples at pH 4, but not at pH 7, and in bovine sera at both pH values. In all samples at pH 4, a major band of activity (molecular weight, approx 60 kd) and some additional higher molecular weight bands were detected; high- and low-molecular-weight activities were detected in bovine sera at pH 7 Hyaluronan in tissue culture medium with or without fetal calf serum was degraded in the presence, but not the absence, of equine chondrocytes. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Hyaluronidase activity was detected in equine sera and synovial fluid at pH 4 and in bovine sera at pH 4 and 7. Primary chondrocytes in monolayer culture can degrade exogenous hyaluronan. Modulating native hyaluronidase activity may offer a new approach to improve the quantity and quality of hyaluronan in articular joints.     

Some leptospira agglutinins detected in domestic animals in British Columbia.

During a period of six years 7,555 bovine sera, 421 canine sera, 251 porcine sera and 135 equine sera were tested for agglutinins to Leptospira interrogans serotypes canicola, grippotyphosa, hardjo, icterohemorrhagiae, pomona and sejroe. The bovine sera reacted predominantly with hardjo and/or sejroe at a rate of 15% compared to 3.5% with pomona. Breeding or abortion problems were associated with pomona but not with sejroe/hardjo agglutinins. The canine sera reacted to canicola (9.9%y and icterohemorrhagiae (5.4%), tcted predominantly with canicola (8.9%) and icterohemorrhagiae (8.1%).     

Equine G3P[3] rotavirus strain E3198 related to simian RRV and feline/canine-like rotaviruses based on complete genome analyses

Equine group A rotavirus (RVA) strains are the most important cause of gastroenteritis in equine neonates and foals worldwide, and G3P[12] and G14P[12] are epidemiologically the most important genotypes. The genotype constellation of an unusual Argentinean G3P[3] RVA strain (RVA/Horse-wt/E3198/2008/G3P[3]) detected in fecal samples of a diarrheic foal in 2008 was shown to be G3–P[3]–I3–R3–C3–M3–A9–N3–T3–E3–H6. Each of these genotypes has been found typically in feline and canine RVA strains, and the genotype constellation is reminiscent to those of Cat97-like RVA strains. However, the phylogenetic analyses revealed only a distant relationship between E3198 and known feline, canine and feline/canine-like human RVA strains. Surprisingly, a rather close relationship was found between E3198 and simian RVA strains RVA/Simian-tc/USA/RRV/1975/G3P[3] for at least 5 gene segments. RRV is believed to be a reassortant between a bovine-like RVA strain and a RVA strains distantly related to feline/canine RVA strains. These analyses indicate that E3198 is unlikely to be of equine origin, and most likely represents a RVA interspecies transmitted virus, possibly in combination with one or more reassortments, from a feline, canine or related host species to a horse. Further studies are in progress to evaluate if this strain was a single interspecies transmission event, or if this strain started to circulate in the equine population.     

Evaluation of an in-house centrifugal hematology analyzer for use in veterinary practice

OBJECTIVE: To compare CBC results obtained by use of an in-house centrifugal analyzer with results of a reference method. DESIGN: Prospective study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Blood samples from 147 dogs, 42 cats, and 60 horses admitted to a veterinary teaching hospital and from 24 cows in a commercial dairy herd. PROCEDURE: Results obtained with the centrifugal analyzer were compared with results obtained with an electrical-impedance light-scatter hematology analyzer and manual differential cell counting (reference method). RESULTS: The centrifugal analyzer yielded error messages for 50 of 273 (18%) samples. Error messages were most common for samples with values outside established reference ranges. Correlation coefficients ranged from 0.80 to 0.99 for Hct, 0.55 to 0.90 for platelet count, 0.76 to 0.95 for total WBC count, and 0.63 (cattle) to 0.82 (cats) to 0.95 (dogs and horses) for granulocyte count. Coefficients for mononuclear cell (combined lymphocyte and monocyte) counts were 0.56, 0.65, 0.68, and 0.92 for cats, horses, dogs, and cattle, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that there was an excellent correlation between results of the centrifugal analyzer and results of the reference method only for Hct in feline, canine, and equine samples; WBC count in canine and equine samples; granulocyte count in canine and equine samples; and reticulocyte count in canine samples. However, an inability to identify abnormal cells, the high percentage of error messages, particularly for samples with abnormal WBC counts, and the wide confidence intervals precluded reliance on differential cell counts obtained with the centrifugal analyzer.     

A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF VETERINARY RADIOTHERAPY

A review of the veterinary radiotherapy literature from 1939 through June of 1989 is presented. Subject material includes: radiation effects/injury, radiation oncology, hyperthermia, phototherapy, and various combination treatment protocols. Species covered are divided into small animal (canine, feline), large animal (equine, bovine, caprine, ovine) and miscellaneous species.     

Evaluation of a hematology analyzer with canine and feline blood

A semiautomatic electronic blood cell counter (Sysmex F-800:Toa Medical Electronics Europa Gmbh, Hamburg, Germany) was evaluated using canine and feline blood, following the International Committee for Standardization in Hematology protocol (ICSH, 1984). Precision and overall reproducibility were acceptable for all the parameters studied except for the feline platelet count, in which overlapping of erythrocyte and platelet populations prohibited determination of an accurate platelet count. Since carry-over from canine hematocrit values and platelet counts and from feline hematocrit values was unsatisfactory, the use of a blank diluent sample between different analyses was necessary. Linearity of the analyzer was acceptable in the studied range. Thirty canine and feline blood samples were analyzed using the Sysmex F-800 and a manual method. Correlations between both methods were acceptable for all the parameters, except for feline platelet count and erythrocyte indices for both species. In the storage study, red blood cell count and hemoglobin concentration were the parameters with the longest stability (72 hours at 4 degrees C and 25 degrees C) in both species. A statistically significant increase in MCV was obtained at 12 hours post-extraction in canine samples stored at 25 degrees C and at 24 hours in refrigerated samples. Feline leucocyte counts showed a downward trend at 12 hours post-extraction at both temperatures. Canine platelet count decreased significantly at 6 hours post-extraction in samples stored at 4 degrees C. During the evaluation period, Sysmex F-800 was user friendly and appeared well suited for routine canine and feline blood cell analysis.