RETICULOCYTE COUNT TO ASSESS REGENERATIVE RESPONSE IN DOGS WITH IMMUNE MEDIATED HAEMOLYTIC ANAEMIA

Abstract

Twenty five immune mediated haemolytic anaemia cases confirmed by saline agglutination test and Coombs’ test werevstudied for bone marrow response on the dayvof presentation. Giemsa stained blood smearsvwere examined to determine presence of anyvhaemoparasites. Fresh whole blood sample collected were mixed with equal quantity of newvmethylene blue stain and smears were prepared. Reticulocyte count was estimated manually and expressed in percentage, absolute reticulocyte count and corrected reticulocyte percentage. About fifty six per cent of immune mediated haemolytic anaemia dogs showed regenerative anaemia on day of presentation. Results showed that immune mediated haemolytic anaemia had reticulocytosis and thus regenerative response. A reticulocyte count after five days of presentation is recommended to avoid false diagnosis of non-regenerative anemia and this may guide in considering pure red cell aplasia and non-regenerative immune mediated haemolytic anaemia in the differential diagnosis for immune mediated haemolytic anaemia.

Keywords

• immune mediated haemolytic anaemia
• new methylene blue stain
• reticulocytosis